Analysis Of Fancy Nancy: The Most Sexist Doll In The Universe '

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Recommended: Women in English literature

Sierra Portz
Mrs. Graham
World Literature
8 February, 2016
Fancy Nancy: The Most Sexist Doll in the Universe Imagine a world where women are the superior gender rather than men. Imagine a reality where women have full dominance in today’s modern society. However, the whole idea of feminism is to promote equality for both males and females; so that women are treated equally to men. It would be wrong to suggest women as the superior gender just as it is wrong to suggest men in that same light. Jane O’Connor’s story, Fancy Nancy: Fanciest Doll in the Universe, excludes the male gender which ultimately does not promote gender equality to her young readers. Although Fancy Nancy is a popular book series, Jane O’Connor demonstrates gender stereotypes …show more content…

For example, the father is completely absent throughout the entire story but he does appear in an illustration in the beginning of the story. His main role is to support his wife and two daughters, which sends the message that they are a typical family; a husband and wife with children. In this situation, the father literally does not have a voice in which he does not speak, while the mother does. For example, Fancy Nancy runs to her mother when she notices that her sister ruined her doll by drawing on it and the mother punishes Fancy Nancy’s younger sister for ruining her doll (O’Connor 6). This is an uncommon gender stereotype because usually the male gender has leadership and authoritativeness traits, while apathy and weakness are feminine traits. However, in this case, the male gender is undermined by not being someone of authority in the …show more content…

First, she could have shown males in non-stereotypical roles such as attending the gala or bathing the children. Secondly, to be more inclusive and repair the negative ways men are portrayed in this text, she could have given the father a voice and make him a more important character in the story. She also could have made Nancy’s younger sibling a male to promote gender equality in the story. Why did the narrator exclude the male gender? The overall message of Fancy Nancy: Fanciest Doll in the Universe could be improved with these changes. It would help individuals see themselves as having potential to be anything they aspire to be. These are the types of changes America needs. This is what will bring our society towards gender

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