Social Identity In The 1950's

Social identity is a psychological process, which takes place in order for a person to find their niche in society. During the early 1900’s, male domination was taking full force, and women were expected to do domestic jobs, such as cleaning and being a housewife, which made it harder for women to find their social identity. However as we began to enter to 1950’s-60, we began to see the growth of women liberation, which enabled women to find their own social identity within society, as Sawhney states,

“When the 1960s came along with it, the thought that women could have a say in their government, that they could perhaps leave the home without feeling guilty about leaving their children alone, and that they could receive a job and earn wages

In the story ‘Trumpets’, Joss wanted to have a career in music, in particular Jazz, which is commonly associated with men. However, Josephine felt passionately that this is what she wants to do, and has been showing signs that she would much rather be a man because of this profession, “ He is himself again, years ago, skipping along the railway line with a long cord his mother had made into a rope. In a red dress. It is liberating. To be a girl. To be a man” (p.135). This quote shows how Joss signifies on the same level as both male and female, and does not resemble her self as one or the other. As Koolen states “By depicting it as "liberating" to be both a girl and a man, Kay 's narrative encourages readers to think critically about how the opposite - subscribing to either masculinity and maleness or femininity and femaleness for the duration of one 's life - may be limiting and restrictive” (p.73). It can be limiting due to the lack of opportunities there are for women during this period, as there is still an expectation of women to stay at home and do domestic chores, however Joss did not see life in that sense and the only way he saw out was to become a man and entail on music, which he

However Millie found this hard and did not accept that her husband was a women as this would not only change the concept of how she see’s Joss, but also the way in which she visualizes herself socially because she has been lied to and manipulated into believing he is a biological male. From this revelation obviously Millie was upset and confused, “I remember feeling stupid then angry. I remember the terrible shock of it all; however even after he told me, I still could not quite believe it” (p.35). This would come as a shock to anyone, as you would feel like your life has been a lie and it changes your whole concept of where you position yourself in society. The harsh reality for her is that, as Davies states, “If Millie accepts that Joss was not a man – that his masculinity was no more than a costume – then she changes her definition of herself, from wife to lesbian.” Furthermore, Millie wants to remain true and loyal to the relationship which she was in and defends her relationship. Arguably, she does this in order to capture any remaining dignity which she has towards her relationship, and also because Millie still respects Joss either way. Millie also appears scared to admit the truth due to the fact she does not want to be seen abnormal