Gender Roles

Through Charlotte’s life the author shows that gender roles are a societal construct rather than dictated by nature. Early on, Charlotte does not conform to the expectations society has for a girl. As a child, “she never [has] a doll or a tea party” nor does she know how to sew or wear fancy clothes (14). Instead, she is usually dirty and likes doing things that are considered boyish, like riding horses and mucking out stalls. Not only does she enjoy working horses, but she is also good at it. Vern calls her “the best stable boy” he has (27). When Mr. Millshark confines her to “the kitchen where she belongs,” Vern speaks up for Charlotte and tells Mr. Millshark she does “the work of three of them boys” (28). As an adult, Charlotte is considered one of the best stagecoach drivers in the country. She is...