How does the author present gender roles in the novel, Dragonsong?

The theme is not intrusive—one can read Menolly's adventure without noticing any "feminist" elements—but nonetheless her plight recapitulates that of many other women. In her home she is effectively silenced, first by housekeeping tasks and then by actual edict. Only in the solitude of her seaside exile does she find the time and self-esteem to accept her own talents. Yet the fire lizards' enjoyment of her songs is not enough. It takes a supportive human group, which she finds when recuperating at the Weyr, to ensure that she will grow and flourish in her craft.