In reading Sissy, I found that this kid broke the mold of any American child we've read about this semester! Sissy defies the 'normal' American boy in so many different ways! He's the all American woman in so many ways! "The school boys went to him as at home they went to their mothers or sisters" (546). Here is Sissy, a boy who is not mischievous or ambitious in the way we saw Dick or Tom act this past semester. But the boys don't even give him a hard time for being the way he is! I feel like Sissy would be the typical character in a movie who would get bullied because he is different from everyone else.
At the same time, I think that's what makes him so intriguing, "he made no effort to conceal his tastes and preferences, but openly pursued his girl-work and good naturedly maintained that it was more respectable and enjoyable than getting into the dirt "to mumble the peg", or than hopping about o none foot, and kicking a bit of china or brick across lines, as in "hop-scotch" (546). What is normal isn't appealing to him which I think makes him awesome and puts a new spin on the American child. This invites in the idea that people can follow their dreams and don't have to fit into this mold. Isn't this what the American dream is? Success and making things happen for yourself and Sissy does both. He is successful in things such as sewing, "Sissy was as expert with scissors and needle as if he had been born with them in his hand" (549) which alone gives him the tools to success but he also is well liked and is a loyal and obedient child! I feel like Sissy in a major way raises the bar behaviorally for the American child.
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"We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy is when men are afraid of the light"- Plato
I completely agree that Sissy defies everything we thought was supposed to be an American boy! It is weird to picture this little boy back in this time sewing and cleaning and doing all these girlie things. I also agree that because he is so different from other boys, this is what makes him so intriguing.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you! I think that by making Sissy have so many feminist qualities but be born as an actual boy was a smart decision on the author's part. It is teaching children that they can be whoever or whatever they want to be. I feel like this is the birth of the ideal of the American Dream
ReplyDeleteI liked the choices you made concerning textual evidence. I agree that he is raised far past the bar for the behavior for the American child because he has qualities that parents want in both males and females.
ReplyDeleteSissy brings up an interesting theme we have never really read before. I like how the author made all the characters in the novel accept Sissy for who he was. I think the author is trying to show other people that no matter what you wear, you can still be accepted. And that children can be whoever they want to be. This novel goes againest everything other authors set up for the American Boy. I personally like that its different. Overall great post!
ReplyDeleteVery good observation of how Sissy is everything little boys as we have seen thus far are not. I totally agree with you. I find it interesting to see how much a change parents can have in how the child develops and what they see as normal.
ReplyDeleteI like how you drew a contrast between how Sissy was treated and how he would be treated today. I feel like he would be the equivalent of Kurt on Glee. He sews, does girly things, however he gets slushies thrown in his face.
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