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. Select the link to access the English Essay Rubric.

Answer 1

Female writers during the Post-modernist literary period made a significant impact by shedding light on the societal expectations and stereotypes placed on women. Through their works, they challenged traditional gender norms and gave voice to female experiences that were often marginalized or overlooked.

In the stories "I Want to Be Miss America" by Julia Alvarez and "The Struggle to Be an All-American Girl" by Elizabeth Wong, stereotypes related to race, beauty, and cultural identity are discussed in literature. These stories highlight the struggles and internal conflicts faced by women as they navigate societal expectations and stereotypes.

One example from "I Want to Be Miss America" is the pressure placed on women to conform to narrow standards of beauty and femininity. The protagonist, a young girl of Dominican descent, grapples with her desire to fit in with her American peers while also holding onto her cultural identity. She is influenced by images of beauty and success portrayed in American media, such as the Miss America pageant, which perpetuate unrealistic and homogeneous standards of beauty.

In "The Struggle to Be an All-American Girl," the narrator reflects on the expectations placed on her as a Chinese-American woman. She grapples with the pressure to assimilate into American culture and conform to stereotypes about Asian Americans, such as academic success and model minority status. The story explores the emotional toll of trying to navigate between two cultural identities and the internal conflict that arises from feeling like an outsider in both worlds.

Through these stories, female writers during the Post-modernist period challenged and deconstructed stereotypes that limited women's agency and autonomy. By giving voice to their experiences and perspectives, they contributed to a more nuanced and inclusive understanding of gender and identity in literature.