Anguiano 1

Natalie Anguiano

English 115

Professor Ditch

6 November 2017

Breaking Free and Conforming

In society there are crucial behavior norms that humans are expected to obey. Not only is

it being taught, but it is seen everywhere including movies, books, and celebrity figures. But as

time has passed those rules are being broken. In the text Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie

Society, Juliet Ashton is radical while Mark Reynolds conforms to his expected role. Juliet

Ashton character appears radical because other than other females Juliet does not seem to care or

let others get in her way of her desires. In other words, society does not have a say in what she

can and cannot do. Mark Reynolds conforms to his gender because he embraces the power he

has by having the ability to have his ways and ordering others around.

Juliet Ashton character is seen more masculine in the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel

Pie Society. Throughout the novel she is seen as more dominant because of her actions and drive

no matter what she is being seen as or what role she should be taking part of. In society it is

expected from a woman to act her gender and perform that way only. Juliet does not necessarily

follow these gender norms when it comes to performing certain tasks. Quoting from Lorbers

article, Night to His Day, I contend, therefore, that the continuing purpose of gender as a

modern social institution is to construct women as a group to be the subordinates of men as a

group (30). Women are being given their space in society meaning they do not have the option

of any sort and are being limited on performing certain tasks. In Bellas letter to Amelia on
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behalf of Juliet, it gives a description of how women in society are being limited by not having

the opportunity to have their work published. As for example Juliet not having the right to

publish her book. According to the members in society at the time it was not known for a woman

to have their work published to the public. They would have to somehow have connections and

be able to pull strings with men who have the power to publish the book. Although Juliet proves

them wrong. When in truth Simons letter to Amelia states If Juliet says she will, she will. If she

says she wont she wont (47). Juliets drive is the reason why she does what she does and that

makes her appear as radical. She is performing in a dominant way being that she does not take

orders from any one. She does not go by what society has limited on females and goes beyond to

prove that not only males should be the ones having the option and the abilities to do things.

Tying back to Rhetoric for Radicals, Something hit me in that moment and I suddenly realized

that I needed to be out there in the world, trying to change things for the better (13). Juliet in

this case is standing up for not only herself but for other females who want the same rights as

men. Juliet is not obeying the rules society has told women to maintain.

Juliet Ashton at the start of the novel is seen as radical because of her living situation as a

child. Juliets parents passed away when she was young and was sent to live with her uncle. She

then ran away twice because her uncle did not give her much attention which is why she would

run off on her own. Simon, the reverend of her parents church wrote a letter on behalf of Juliet

to Amelia which he said, The police found her waiting with a packed canvas carry-all and her

fathers fishing rod, to catch the train to Bury St. Edmunds. She was return to Dr. Ashton- and

she ran away again. This time, Dr. Ashton telephoned me to ask for her help in finding her (46).

According to society as a woman it is not known to be on your own at such a young age or in

general men are the supporters and are known to take care of their family. Although in this case
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Juliet does not expect anything from anybody else and does what she desires. Juliet at that point

of her life was independent and till later on in the story she is living her life not taking orders

from nobody but herself which is more of a masculine performance. Usually women are the

caretakers in the family and do not necessarily work but that has been changed. According to

The Economics in the article Wonder women and macho men; Sex and society in Latin America,

Women typically hold jobs that require little skill and pay low salaries: domestic work is the

largest source of female employment. But women now spend more years in school than men,

which suggests that their prospects will improve. A handful have climbed to the top of the

corporate ladder. Women have the same abilities as men concluding that everyone is equal.

Women in the past would not attend school they would be expected to do work at home such as

cleaning and caring for the family. Now women are going beyond the basic education required

and attending universities and graduate schools to better provide for themselves and their family

and not depend on a man to provide for the for the rest of her life. Juliet is that women who does

not expect anything from anyone and does what she must to get to where she desires to be.

On the other hand, Markham Reynolds in the novel conforms to his gender. Markham

Reynolds appearance in the novel makes him a character who conforms to his gender by being

displayed as strong, confident, impressive which are all considered more of a masculine

performance. In Devors article Becoming Members of Society, Such an alternative conception of

gender roles captures the hierarchical and competitive masculine thirst for power, which can, but

need not, lead to aggression, and the feminine quest for harmony and communal well-being,

which can, but need not, result in passivity and dependence (39). Men often try to one up

another to prove masculinity. Just how family and kids matter to females, men on the other hand

show off their abilities and is seen everywhere. For example, either at work or at social
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gatherings men will try to prove their masculinity to other men by their actions or appearance.

Some want others to know what they have accomplished in life and be able to have the title and

remain having power. In relation from the article, How Do Men Construct and Explain Mens

Violence, Utilizing consensual qualitative research methodology, our findings indicated that

mens constructions of violence and their justifications for engaging in violence were linked to

their constructions of masculinity and what it meant to them to be a man. For example, men in

prison usually compete against one another to have the power over everyone and by those fights

it is proven to be that, that one individual can hurt anyone who dares gets in their path, so they

must be obeyed. Another saying is being told to act like a man which is telling someone to

embrace the pain and learn from it because it will make you stronger. Besides physical

appearance and actions of one men believe that the way to prove ones power is to act violently.

Connecting back Mark Reynolds is seen as strong and impressive throughout the novel. His

strength and his ability to impress others is what gives him the power and confidence he has.

Furthermore, Mark Reynolds in this novel proves his masculinity by strictly obtaining his

desires and having everything going his way. Furthermore, in Juliets letter to Sophie she

describes her evening with him, Hes quite impressive, and hes used to ordering people about-

though he does it so easily, they do not notice (40). Reynolds is the type of guy who has the

power and what he says goes. Just alone him having the power to order people around makes

him masculine. He displays his masculinity when he asks Juliet out for dinner, You pick the

evening- Im entirely at your disposal Juliet replies with Id be delighted to dine with you,

Thursday next? and he responds Thursdays too far away. Monday? Claridges? 7:00? (34-35).

He at first makes her believe he is being kin and more or less giving her the power for letting her

choose the time and place when in his next letter he takes back the power and makes his own
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arrangements. This ties back to him ordering others around with no one noticing what he really is

doing and here he gives Juliet the option but does not really consider her plans at all. To

conclude, in the article Rhetoric for Radicals, Del Gandio states, Language shapes people

views, how it is used and abused, how it relates to issues of self- identity and propaganda, how to

appreciate political correctness without being stifled by it, and how to utilize the rhetorical power

of new words and languages (19).Marks language and tone of the way he speaks is him using

that power to have things go his way instead of using it for the good for everyone like Juliet.

Mark unlike Juliet has the power to have everyone listen to what he has to say, and he has the

power to change the outlook for all women.

Juliet Ashton character appears radical because unlike other females she does not seem to

care or let others get in her way of her desires. In other words, society does not have a say in

what she can and cannot do. Over the past years society has limited women by having social

norms such as staying home to care for the family other than getting an education and doing

something with her life. Instead society have them believe that a male is responsible for their

wellbeing and women must obey men. Juliet is putting an end to it for her sake and doing what

she desires without any help from a male. Now a days women have evolved and began to finish

their education to better provide for their family without having to depend on anybody else.

Mark Reynolds conforms to his gender because he embraces the power he has by having the

ability to have his ways and ordering others around. In society men often compete against one

another to hold the title of having the most power. Mark Reynolds holds his title by having the

ability to talk to others without making it seem like hes manipulating them. People in many

locations and in different societies are still obeying the social norms while others are doing what

they believe is best for them and that is limiting themselves to their capabilities.
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Shaffer Ann Mary, and Barrows Annie. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie

Society, 2008.

Groner Rachael, and OHara F. John. Composing Gender, 2014.

Gandio Del Jason. Rhetoric for Radicals, 2008.

The Economics. Wonder women and macho men; Sex and society in Latin America,

2015.

Dagirmanjian Backus Faedra, Mahalik R. James, Boland Justin, Colbow Alexander,

Dunn Joseph, Pomarico Anthony, Rappaport Daniel. How Do Men Construct and Explain Mens

Violence, 2016.