Short Story Questions

Are there any female characters in the work that you identify with?
• I don't really personally identify with a lot of the female characters in these stories. I've never really been in these situations that a lot of them are placed in, so I don't find a whole lot relate-able to them. Possibly the instance of being lost due to trauma, but that's about all.

How are relationships between men and women (or characters assuming male/female roles) portrayed in the story? 
• It, to me, just always looks like a very heavy one-side-has-freedom/power while the other side has little to none, and the one without power always finding some joy to getting that freedom, or the character feeling sadness or whatever when they're having that power used against them.

What are the power relationships between men and women in the text?
• The men usually have the most power, and either use it or don't outright use it in the story but it's implied due to the sorrow of the female character.

How are male and female roles defined?
• The female characters are almost always relegated to being trapped inside the house, or trapped doing things they absolutely don't want to do. The male characters are always running around doing really whatever they want.

What constitutes masculiniity and femininity in the world of the story?
• "Femininity" is usually defined by staying home, cleaning, being quiet/submissive, being pretty for the husband. "Masculinity" Is usually defined by always bringing home money/food, being aggressive and in control, always keeping a hold on the situation and not letting any threats appear.

Do characters take on traits from opposite genders in the story? How so? Does this change others reactions to them?
• I suppose in the one that I read, Where are You Going; Where Have You Been, one of the male characters that the main character originally finds interest in takes on a pushover, easily manipulated, submissive role to the aggressive, bad male character. I suppose that could be 'taking traits' from opposite genders.

What does the work reveal about the ooperations (economically, politically, socially, or psychologically) of patriarchy?
• That the men of the society are extremely entitled and believe they are owed whatever a woman has.

What does the work express or imply about the possiblities of sisterhood as a mode of resisting patriarchy?
• That women need to spend less time being pitted against each other by men, and spend more time working together to survive and have success.

What does the work say about the history of women in literature or the arts or about women's creativity?
• I think it implies that women are insanely creative in various fields, but they're often pushed aside or purposely written out of history/stories because they don't want people finding out that women can be successful.