field-trip fiasco |
by Julie Danneberg |
Characters:
Message/ Theme:
This story mostly sticks to traditional gender roles but there are a few exceptions of egalitarian ideas. First we are introduced to Mrs. Hartwell, a middle-aged elementary school teacher, nervous about the day ahead. This in itself complies with traditional gender ideas because teachers are mostly women due to the nurturing element of the career and that women lack confidence in their abilities, shown by her anxiety about how she will handle the day. There is a hint of egalitarian attitude when we are shown Mrs. Hartwell's husband in the kitchen doing dishes and wearing an apron. In traditional views women are to do the household work, so this is a change in pace; we have a woman with a traditional "female" career but a male conducting a non-traditional task of maintaining the household. Therefore, the story has a mixture of both traditional and egalitarian views(transitional). The students' attire was varied, all children wore bright colors and most of the girls wore skirts but not all which portrays a transitional gender attitude because it does not go along with the traditional idea that girls wear pink/pastels and boys wear blue/brights. Mrs. Hartwell's efforts to solve fights, fix "boo-boos", and console upset children go along with traditional gender ideas that women are compassionate and nurturing. This story mirrors much of our society's current views: mostly traditional but a little egalitarian, therefore it holds transitional gender role attitudes.
- Mrs. Hartwell (teacher)
- Mrs. Hartwell's students
Message/ Theme:
- Everyone, even adults, get nervous and have trouble facing difficult situations.
- With a positive attitude you can accomplish anything.
- Even though things may seem bad, everything will be okay in the end.
This story mostly sticks to traditional gender roles but there are a few exceptions of egalitarian ideas. First we are introduced to Mrs. Hartwell, a middle-aged elementary school teacher, nervous about the day ahead. This in itself complies with traditional gender ideas because teachers are mostly women due to the nurturing element of the career and that women lack confidence in their abilities, shown by her anxiety about how she will handle the day. There is a hint of egalitarian attitude when we are shown Mrs. Hartwell's husband in the kitchen doing dishes and wearing an apron. In traditional views women are to do the household work, so this is a change in pace; we have a woman with a traditional "female" career but a male conducting a non-traditional task of maintaining the household. Therefore, the story has a mixture of both traditional and egalitarian views(transitional). The students' attire was varied, all children wore bright colors and most of the girls wore skirts but not all which portrays a transitional gender attitude because it does not go along with the traditional idea that girls wear pink/pastels and boys wear blue/brights. Mrs. Hartwell's efforts to solve fights, fix "boo-boos", and console upset children go along with traditional gender ideas that women are compassionate and nurturing. This story mirrors much of our society's current views: mostly traditional but a little egalitarian, therefore it holds transitional gender role attitudes.