Noel Perrin's Androgynous Man

In Noel Perrin’s “Androgynous Man”, the sentences were a good mix of short and long sentences. I feel he was able to convey his thoughts clearly and effectively. The topic of his story was also very interesting; it is about a magazine quiz that determines if you are more masculine or feminine based on how you describe inkblots. Although the story was written in the 1980s it makes you think about our current society and how gender is major topic in the news, television, and politics. The writer made me think of how the media tries to dictate the way you should see and perceive things. What does a real man look like? Like Perrin, I also believe there is no single right answer to this question. There are many factors that influence one’s personality,

nature, and beliefs. There is culture, religion, family tradition, customs, and life experiences to name a few that shape you as an individual. I like to cook and I am not interested in football does that mean I am less of a man? Other people might think I am feminine but I don’t care. I like what I like and I will do what makes me happy. I especially like the last sentence when he said, "If God could somehow be induced to take that test, God would not come out macho, and not feminismo, either, but right in the middle.” (Perrin 244). It means it is okay to be neither macho nor feminine, accept what you are and who you are. Stereotypes are for ignorant people.