Self-Concepts in The Red Dress (Alice Munro, 1946) and Raymond's Run (Toni Cade Bambara, 1972)

Résumé du document

The short stories, The Red Dress by Alice Munro and Raymond's Run by Toni Cade Bambara, explore the effect that self-constructs have upon one's identity. In each of the short stories, characters' actions and lives are defined by their images alone, and they are often criticized for leaving the confines of their image. These images are societal stereotypes that the characters self-identify as, which then control the character's attitudes, behaviours, and beliefs. This theme of restrictive self-images is shown through the characters, the character development, and the symbolism of The Red Dress and Raymond's Run. These short stories argue that all people are limited and defined by their societal character, which then defines their identities.

Extraits

[...] However, though she is the main character, she is quite flat, and does not have any characterization beyond that of a shy, insecure girl who seeks social acceptance. The side characters, as well, are generalized and limited to the barest clichés. For instance, athletes were “always coming out of unauthorized doors with a bold, preoccupied air” (Munro the popular girls all “had sleepy, sulky faces and never smiled at all” (Munro and the girls in general are “The greatest collection of boy-crazy girls you could imagine” (Munro 6). [...]

[...] Self-Concepts in The Red Dress (Alice Munro, 1946) and Raymond's Run (Toni Cade Bambara, 1972) The short stories, The Red Dress by Alice Munro and Raymond's Run by Toni Cade Bambara, explore the effect that self-constructs have upon one's identity. In each of the short stories, characters' actions and lives are defined by their images alone, and they are often criticized for leaving the confines of their image. These images are societal stereotypes that the characters self-identify as, which then control the character's attitudes, behaviours, and beliefs. [...]

[...] Pearson is always dropping things (Bambara 2). In conclusion, the flat characterization, and the prevalence of cliché stereotypes, suggest that everyone adheres to their own self- image, which is either self-inflicted and societally understood. II. The character development The ease and facility with which the characters switch between personas and roles indicates also underscores the superficial nature of their roles. This is especially true in The Red Dress, where the narrator undergoes many swift character developments, seemingly with no effort at all, which suggests that their characters are quite cosmetics. [...]

[...] Therefore, by switching their constructs, the characters of the short stories reveal the hollowness with which they adopt various personae, as well as how a new persona completely reinvents them as an individual. III. The symbolism Finally, the symbols in the story further the importance of societal constructs, as well as represents different identities themselves. In The Red Dress, the main symbol was of the dress. The red velvet material, which the character's mother made and was “hard to work with” (Munro symbolizes the difficulty with which adolescents manage the images and duties that parents and society create for them. [...]

[...] The mother modifying the dress, for instance by tailoring the fit or by adding lace, also mirrors how parental figures often shape and mold a persona for their child. Additionally, as the narrator said, her “head was muffled in velvet”, which represents how people are bombarded and surrounded by these stereotypes, and feel pressure to conform to them. Further, various dresses symbolize various changes in character. For example, as a child, the narrator often tried on a variety of styles, possibly mirroring the various personality developments undergone while maturing. [...]