Question

Explain the impact of female writers during the Post-modernist literary period. Using the stories I Want to Be Miss America and The Struggle to Be an All-American Girl, explain how stereotypes were discussed in literature during this time period. Use two examples from either of the stories to support your response.

Answer 1

This period is considered to be a moment of testing boundaries hence why the role of women in literature changed drastically. During this period of time women started to be portrayed as main characters instead of romantic counterparts/secondary characters. Instead of being the emblem of fragility they suddenly became icons of independence and emotional intelligence (hence why they were usually described as able to reveal their feelings and express their thoughts and opinions)

For example both stories portray the stereotypes that all girls want to be popoular, worshipped and the focus of attention and how society tends to discriminate people based on their looks they counter attack those beliefs and instead make the statement that although physical beauty has a great value in society it is not what determines a person's value.