In class essay (femininity) Flashcards
In the context of 1980s Darra….
First Sentence:
In the context of 1980s Darra, femininity is defined by subjugation, with prevailing social norms normalizing family violence and limiting women’s autonomy, often leaving them trapped in cycles of abuse and disadvantage.
A deconstruction of the….
compelling
sensitive
Second Sentence:
A deconstruction of the male characters in Boy Swallows Universe provides a compelling critique of gender constraints in contemporary Australia, and through Dalton’s sensitive portrayal of Frankie Bell, the reader is encouraged to appreciate her complexity, as the author channels both his own and his mother’s experiences into her character, which is brought to life through Eli’s first-person narration.
sensitive
Neglect and abuse
brutalize
How does Frankie’s abandonment by her father reflect the impact of toxic masculinity in Boy Swallows Universe?
Frankie’s abandonment by her father as a child reflects the toxic masculinity that shapes her life. Her early experiences of male neglect and abuse set the stage for her struggles with masculinity throughout the novel, as men in her life continue to brutalize and harm her.
Enables
Contribute to addiction
shapes her
What is the significance of the quote “the worst thing Lyle ever did was get my mum on drugs” (21)?
This quote highlights how toxic masculinity impacts women by enabling abuse and neglect. Lyle’s actions directly contribute to Frankie’s mother’s addiction, further embedding Frankie in a cycle of male violence and control, which shapes her own experiences of femininity.
Vulnerability
Physical mark
Where is the vulnerability rooted?
Environm
“is missing her two front teeth” (353)
Eli observes Frankie’s vulnerability, especially in a moment when her smile is disfigured after Teddy knocked out her two front teeth. This physical mark symbolizes her suffering and highlights her position as a victim of male violence.
Her vulnerability, deeply rooted in the abuse she experiences, reinforces the intergenerational cycles of female abuse. Dalton demonstrates how Frankie’s life is shaped by toxic masculinity, where violence from men is normalized, and her response to it becomes a reflection of the patriarchal environment she was raised in.
Dalton invites readers to empathize…
Not blaming
Links choices
How does Dalton encourage empathy for Frankie’s life choices?
Dalton invites readers to empathize with Frankie by not blaming her for the painful events in her life. Instead, he links her addiction and crimes to the systemic oppression of gender and class, showing that her actions are responses to the patriarchal structures around her.
Survival
Endure brutal realities
addiction response to
narrative blame
What does the quote “Mum’s love came hard. There was pain in it, there was blood and screams and fists against plasterboard walls” (21) reveal about femininity in Boy Swallows Universe?
This quote reveals that femininity in lower socioeconomic context is shaped by toxic masculinity, and is often not about nurturing or softness but survival. Frankie’s love and experiences are marked by pain and violence, highlighting how women in the novel endure brutal realities shaped by male dominance.
Frankie’s heroin addiction can be seen as a response to the emotional and physical trauma she experiences. The societal narrative that places blame on women for the violence men inflict upon them compounds her suffering, creating a cycle of abuse that is perpetuated by the strictures of gender and class.
Human reaction
Marg, dehuman
survival mechanisms
shaped by oppression
How is Frankie’s response to patriarchal abuse framed in the novel?
Frankie’s response to the patriarchal abuse she faces is framed as a human reaction to a system that marginalizes and dehumanizes women. Her addiction and crimes are presented as survival mechanisms, rather than moral failings, shaped by the oppressive forces of toxic masculinity.
subjecting women to
abandonment, abuse
resiliance rather than empowermen
How does toxic masculinity shape femininity in the context of Frankie’s character in Boy Swallows Universe?
Toxic masculinity shapes femininity by subjecting women to violence, neglect, and emotional trauma. Frankie’s experiences—marked by abandonment, abuse, and survival—reveal how patriarchy forces women into roles defined by suffering and resilience, rather than nurturing or empowerment.
Caregiver
beyond,protective
endure hard
sacrifice, absorb pain
resistanc
“She’ll swallow that shit for you two, and you’ll swallow that shit for her”. (158)
This quote, “She’ll swallow that shit for you two, and you’ll swallow that shit for her,” highlights Frankie’s role as a caregiver, conforming to societal expectations of women as nurturers.
However, it goes beyond traditional femininity, revealing her protective nature. Frankie is willing to endure hardship to shield the boys from the criminal influences and toxic masculinity that surround them.
Her sacrifice is not just about caregiving; she absorbs the pain and danger to prevent them from falling into the same destructive patterns. This reveals both her conformity to gender roles and her resistance to the harsh realities of their environment.
How does Boy Swallows Universe reflect fourth-wave feminism through Frankie Bell?
Trent Dalton’s Boy Swallows Universe aligns with fourth-wave feminism, which focuses on intersectionality, class struggles, and systemic oppression of women.
Frankie Bell’s experiences highlight how femininity in lower socio-economic contexts is shaped by toxic masculinity rather than traditional nurturing roles.
She is a caretaker and protector, yet she is also brutalized and blamed for her struggles. Rather than framing her addiction and hardships as personal failings, Dalton critiques the misogynistic structures that perpetuate cycles of abuse, reinforcing fourth-wave feminism’s focus on gender and economic inequality.
What literary school of criticism can be applied to Boy Swallows Universe in relation to Frankie Bell?
Feminist Literary Criticism, particularly through fourth-wave feminism, is an effective approach to analyzing Frankie Bell. This lens examines how gender and class intersect to oppress women, as seen in Frankie’s struggles with abuse, addiction, and economic hardship. Dalton challenges the patriarchal structures that frame women as responsible for their suffering, instead exposing the systemic forces that entrap them. Source: Gamble, Sarah. The Routledge Companion to Feminism and Postfeminism (2001), which discusses contemporary feminist thought and intersectionality.
Boy Swallows Universe: How ideas of femininity during the texts composition are represented through characterization and other compositional features.
Trent Dalton’s Boy Swallows Universe, composed during the rise of fourth-wave feminism, reflects the movement’s emphasis on intersectionality and systemic oppression through the characterization of Frankie Bell, whose struggles with addiction and abuse highlight how femininity in lower socio-economic contexts is shaped by toxic masculinity rather than traditional nurturing roles.
How does Boy Swallows Universe explore the impact of patriarchal hegemony on Frankie Bell?
Dalton critiques patriarchal hegemony through Eli’s observation that “every problem in the world, every crime committed, can be traced back to someone’s dad” (79). Frankie’s suffering is framed as part of an intergenerational cycle of male-inflicted trauma, reinforcing the systemic nature of misogyny.
What does the “moon pool” or “drop in the lake” metaphor symbolize in Boy Swallows Universe?
The metaphor of the “drop in the lake” (115) represents how a single traumatic event—Frankie’s father abandoning her—creates ripples that shape the rest of her life. Dalton uses this imagery to critique the enduring consequences of male neglect and violence in shaping female experiences.
How does Boy Swallows Universe challenge the cultural norm of victim-blaming women for their struggles?
Rather than blaming Frankie for her addiction and suffering, Dalton positions her as a victim of systemic misogyny. Eli’s narration, which blends childlike innocence with mature perception, allows the reader to see past the misogynistic attitudes of 1980s Darra, reinforcing the idea that Frankie is not responsible for the cycles of abuse in her life.
How does Eli’s narration shape the reader’s understanding of Frankie’s life in Boy Swallows Universe?
Through Eli’s duality of perspective—his childlike naivety combined with an “adult’s mind” (3)—Dalton encourages the reader to view Frankie’s life through the lens of male abuse rather than personal failure. Rather than perpetuating the misogynistic norms of 1980s Darra, the narrative voice rejects the notion that Frankie is to blame for her struggles, instead highlighting the systemic oppression that shaped her circumstances.
