Passion Gender/Women and Femininity

It's easy to confuse gender with sex ("sex" as in biological identity). Gender seems to have more of a social or cultural meaning. And the effect of social/cultural definitions of gender is a big concern throughout Alice Munro's work, particularly in "Passion," in which part of that depressing "pushing our passion behind the washtubs" business probably has something to do with feeling all weighed down by gender expectations.

Questions About Gender/Women and Femininity

1. How can cultural expectations influence gender roles?
2. Does Grace do anything to challenge gender roles?                             
3. How have notions of femininity changed in your lifetime?
4. How is gender wrapped up with notions of individuality and independence?                         

Chew on This

Gender roles limit our individuality.

Gender roles do not affect our sense of individuality; it's always up to us to be who we want to be.