In Dorothy Allison's novel on the growing up a of an illegitimate child in South Carolina
and her being abused by her step-father, men are not really the main and acting figures.
They are rather minor characters, even Daddy Glen who causes so much pain. The actual
"sovereigns" are the women. But the depiction of men in this novel does not only tell
about the nature of men in this family but a lot on the values of society and the critique
the author expresses and shall thus be the focus of this work.
First there are Anney's brothers, Bone's uncles. They are all very much alike in their
behavior and attitudes, but Earle is clearly the one who is closest to Anney and Bone and
so he is the most often mentioned one of the "Boatwright brothers". And this points to
the first phenomenon of male characters in this novel: even if the brothers are partially
married (like Nevil), they are always referred to as the "Boatwright brothers"; they seem
to be an inseparable unit. What is being said about one of them always refers to the
others as well: "Your uncle Beau is a drunk. You know that, but so is your uncle Nevil,
and so am I, I suppose", Earle tells Bone1. But mostly the brothers are being talked about
as "they" anyway. Of course this also indicates the importance of family bondage in the
Boatwright family, but if one looks at the way Bone's aunts are mentioned and spoken
about in the novel, the unity of the brothers is exceptional. Bone as the I-narrator does
talk about her aunts in a collective plural some times, but mostly the aunts are being
referred to as single persons and are also clearly different from each other in their
character and conditions of living. This phenomenon of the brothers only being referred
to as a group has other reasons too, but this would lead us very deep into the novel and
shall be postponed to a later part of the interpretation. [...]
1Dorothy Allison: Bastard Out Of Carolina. Flamingo, London 1993, p. 125. All of the following quotations will
refer to this edition
Table of Contents
1. Two different types of men : Bone's uncles and Daddy Glen in Dorothy Allison's "Bastard Out Of Carolina"
Objectives and Topics
This essay explores the stark contrast between the portrayal of masculinity in the Boatwright family and the character of Daddy Glen in Dorothy Allison's "Bastard Out Of Carolina." It examines how the societal expectations of status, soberness, and economic success, represented by Glen, fail to provide genuine human connection, while the "Boatwright brothers"—despite their flaws—embody a sense of love and communal belonging.
- The depiction of the Boatwright brothers as an inseparable, communal unit.
- The role of the Boatwright women as the true holders of power and stability.
- Daddy Glen's failed attempt to impose middle-class values and patriarchal control.
- The psychological underlying factors behind Glen’s obsession with the "Boatwright legend."
- A critique of conventional societal definitions of success versus the importance of familial love.
Excerpt from the Book
Two different types of men : Bone's uncles and Daddy Glen in Dorothy Allison's "Bastard Out Of Carolina"
In Dorothy Allison's novel on the growing up a of an illegitimate child in South Carolina and her being abused by her step-father, men are not really the main and acting figures. They are rather minor characters, even Daddy Glen who causes so much pain. The actual "sovereigns" are the women. But the depiction of men in this novel does not only tell about the nature of men in this family but a lot on the values of society and the critique the author expresses and shall thus be the focus of this work.
First there are Anney's brothers, Bone's uncles. They are all very much alike in their behavior and attitudes, but Earle is clearly the one who is closest to Anney and Bone and so he is the most often mentioned one of the "Boatwright brothers". And this points to the first phenomenon of male characters in this novel: even if the brothers are partially married (like Nevil), they are always referred to as the "Boatwright brothers"; they seem to be an inseparable unit. What is being said about one of them always refers to the others as well: "Your uncle Beau is a drunk. You know that, but so is your uncle Nevil, and so am I, I suppose", Earle tells Bone. But mostly the brothers are being talked about as "they" anyway. Of course this also indicates the importance of family bondage in the Boatwright family, but if one looks at the way Bone's aunts are mentioned and spoken about in the novel, the unity of the brothers is exceptional.
Summary of Chapters
1. Two different types of men : Bone's uncles and Daddy Glen in Dorothy Allison's "Bastard Out Of Carolina": This chapter contrasts the collective, albeit flawed, masculinity of the Boatwright brothers with the destructive, performative aspirations of Daddy Glen, ultimately arguing that genuine human connection holds more value than societal markers of success.
Keywords
Bastard Out Of Carolina, Dorothy Allison, Boatwright brothers, Daddy Glen, masculinity, patriarchal values, family dynamics, societal critique, abuse, identity, gender roles, illegitimacy, social status, narrative perspective, self-esteem.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this essay?
The essay analyzes the contrasting representations of male figures in Dorothy Allison's novel, specifically comparing the Boatwright brothers with the antagonist, Daddy Glen.
What are the central themes of the work?
Central themes include the nature of masculinity, the importance of family bonds, the critique of middle-class social values, and the impact of domestic abuse on the protagonist's identity.
What is the author's research argument?
The author argues that while the Boatwright brothers appear to be "bad" by conventional societal standards, their capacity for unconditional love makes them more morally whole than the "respectable" but abusive Daddy Glen.
Which analytical methodology is employed?
The essay utilizes literary analysis, focusing on characterization, the function of the narrator (Bone), and the exploration of societal roles within the family structures depicted in the novel.
What does the main body explore?
The main body examines the group dynamic of the Boatwright brothers, their relationship with the women in the family, and a detailed psychological analysis of why Daddy Glen desperately tries to align himself with the Boatwright family despite his disdain for their lifestyle.
Which keywords best describe the essay?
Key terms include gender roles, masculinity, family dynamics, societal critique, and the specific character archetypes of the Boatwrights versus Daddy Glen.
How does Daddy Glen attempt to impose his own values on the family?
Glen attempts to exert authority by isolating the family, insisting on traditional domestic roles for the women, and projecting his own insecurities onto the children, resulting in emotional and physical violence.
Why are the Boatwright brothers referred to as a collective unit?
They are described as an inseparable unit because they prioritize family bonds over individual status, behaving as a communal entity that offers support and protection, which contrasts with the individualistic, lonely aspirations of Glen.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Luise A. Finke (Autor:in), 1996, Two different types of men: Bone's uncles and Daddy Glen in Dorothy Allison's "Bastard Out Of Carolina", München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/21439
