Wednesday, October 25, 2017
Popular Romance and Forbidden
A character I'm choosing to focus on from the novel is Rhine. The other characters of the novel make it clear the Rhine is the best looking, wealthiest, and successful man in town. He has ivory skin, dark hair, and a tall and strong figure (basically just imagine the shirtless man from the cover of the book). From the description of his character, you'd expect him to be a very dominant male figure of the book; taking charge of the situation, getting what he wants with no questions asked, and in control. However even from the first time we are introduced to Rhine, we get the impression that he is a gentleman. He enjoys taking care of the people around him, caring for their feelings, and caring for their well being. By doing this, he challenges traditional male gender roles by allowing the woman in his life to have to control, make decisions for themselves, and be independent. For example he allows Eddy to choose when she is ready to have dinner with him even though he really wants her to go, he never forces. In return, he is treated with a lot of respect. He is seen as an honorable man by both the men and women in his community.
The performance of his gender does connect to his love and romance. He is very considerate of his partner's feelings. For example, he never forced Eddy to go on a date with him. Even though he liked Eddy, he respected her space and allowed her to make the decision for when she was ready. Also during their sex scenes together, he always took his time and never rushed it with Eddy. He made sure she didn't feel embarrassed, but confident and comfortable about her sexuality and desires. And not just with Eddy, but with Natalie. Rhine gave her the option of how she would tell the community how their engagement was canceled. And just the fact that he respected her and her family enough to go to her father and confront him about the cancellation instead of just running off or blaming Natalie. Rhine is always putting the people around him first whether or not they deserve it.
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I find it very interesting that you point out Rhine is challenging the norms by putting others feelings before his own. That is a very valid point and it says a lot about him. Men usually didn't put women before them and it does show what kind of man he is. He didn't stoop to the levels of the other rude men in the book. The simple task of him being caring and respectful was enough to make him a dream guy and very desirable.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate how you discuss Rhine's treatment of both Eddy and Natalie--does this help show that he is consistently a decent, thoughtful guy? What allows him to challenge traditional gender norms?
ReplyDeleteI too found it very interesting how you male are image to have this careless attitude around them, and by Rhine caring for people it challenges that norm. Also another interesting point that you added was about how you felt the reason he was romantic was because of he treats women, from a guys view most see that their appearances is what most affects the women's heart, when really it's how the men treats them.
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