The Tale of peter rabbit |
by Beatrix Potter |
Characters:
Message/Theme: It is important to listen to your parents in order to avoid harmful situations and punishment.
Gender Roles Reviewed:
The story begins by introducing the three sisters and Peter, all three girls are wearing identical pink shawls and are given baskets by their mother in which they are to gather blackberries. Peter, wearing a blue coat, was also instructed to gather berries but decided to disobey his mother and venture into Mr. McGregor's garden. This first complies with traditional gender roles simply by the colors they are wearing, pink is for girls and blue is for boys and also the fact that Peter sits away from his sisters sets the two groups apart by gender. Another way that the story complies with traditional gender roles is in which women are to be obedient and make/gather the food for their family, like the three sisters did and that men are meant to be adventurous and independent, which Peter proved by being the only rabbit to run into the garden. Also, Mr. McGregor's relentless chasing of Peter highlights the traditional expectation that men are aggressive and authoritative. Lastly, the female gender role of being nurturing is portrayed at the end of the story when Mrs. Rabbit tends to Peter's "wounds" and puts him to bed with camomile tea. Therefore The Tale of Peter Rabbit complies with traditional gender role attitudes.
- Peter
- Peter's sisters: Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cotton-tail
- Mrs. Rabbit (Peter's mother)
- Mr. McGregor (farmer)
Message/Theme: It is important to listen to your parents in order to avoid harmful situations and punishment.
Gender Roles Reviewed:
The story begins by introducing the three sisters and Peter, all three girls are wearing identical pink shawls and are given baskets by their mother in which they are to gather blackberries. Peter, wearing a blue coat, was also instructed to gather berries but decided to disobey his mother and venture into Mr. McGregor's garden. This first complies with traditional gender roles simply by the colors they are wearing, pink is for girls and blue is for boys and also the fact that Peter sits away from his sisters sets the two groups apart by gender. Another way that the story complies with traditional gender roles is in which women are to be obedient and make/gather the food for their family, like the three sisters did and that men are meant to be adventurous and independent, which Peter proved by being the only rabbit to run into the garden. Also, Mr. McGregor's relentless chasing of Peter highlights the traditional expectation that men are aggressive and authoritative. Lastly, the female gender role of being nurturing is portrayed at the end of the story when Mrs. Rabbit tends to Peter's "wounds" and puts him to bed with camomile tea. Therefore The Tale of Peter Rabbit complies with traditional gender role attitudes.