The Wasp Factory

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The Wasp Factory

The Wasp Factory is a novel that focuses heavily on the power of gender. It is a novel that associates masculine power and feminine weakness to animality. Within the novel, males are characterized as skilled, cunning, smart, and powerful; they are associated with dogs. On the other hand, women are viewed as stupid, docile, and frightened; they are associated as sheep. Each of these characterizations is made clear by viewing what Francis Cauldhame is (sheep), and what she desires to be (dog).

Women are one of two of Frances Cauldhame's greatest enemies. According to Frances, women are weak and stupid. Because they are weak and stupid (pg.43), they will always be inferior. In Frances's mind, women posses no power.

In regards to animality, this same view about women is directly associated with sheep. Frances believes that sheep are also stupid and weak. He claims that he "used to despise sheep for being so profoundly stupid"(pg.145). Since both women and sheep are stupid, weak, and powerless, then it is clear to presume that women are sheep. Each cr...

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