H.E. Bates short story, `The Good Corn', presents the dominant beliefs and values which are most powerful in society; that men are dominant and women are subservient. Mr Mortimer, the main character, is the breadwinner and decision maker of the family while Mrs Mortimer is a subservient, emotional woman who believes in the role that society expects of her; motherhood. In contrast to this, the short story `Under the Cat's Paw by Mary Dilworth, challenges the prevailing views of society and goes against the stereotypical patriarchal society. Dilworth creates a strong domineering female, Myrtle who is very much in charge of her life and her husbands.

In the short story, `The Good Corn' Joe Mortimer is represented as a stereotypical dominant male. He is shown to be the strong male who is the breadwinner, " . . .he would put one half into a tin cash box and then push...