taking 5 - part 2
...ce his patriarchal beliefs for his wife’s sake and hence shows his self-centeredness • Having a child suddenly come into his life without any notice showed that Fred was in denial and didn’t know what to do. His lack of compassion is shown as he “nodded in a business-like manner” when he was asked by the nurse whether he could take care of the baby or not. He has no soft side to him, as everything in his life seems negative. He is not shown in the light • The character of Fred constructs gender issues, as the reader is able to review and criticise his beliefs and thoughts upon the patriarchal system • Impatient and aggressive tone when telling Lannie her job, “You’ve got a job. Looking after your family.” (p. 220) This tells the reader that some men believe that women don’t have the right to have a job in society • He is very stereotypical and expects his wife to fulfil her expected duties as a mother and housewife. ‘He was appalled by a new businesslike quality in his wife’s manner.’ (pg 226) • Doesn’t have any respect for his wife or give her any value. He never spent money on their family holidays or their honeymoon when she wanted to stay at a nice hotel. Even when they went away as a family they would stay in a crappy little shack with blocked sinks, stoves that didn’t work, rusting fridges and vacuum cleaners that were broken. All these things made her chores hard but Fred didn’t care coz it was close to the ocean where he could fish, swim and sunbake. NO RESPECT FOR HIS WIFE. When he would return he would ask when the next meal was ready. She was just his slave. When she asked if they could stay at a motel next time he said they couldn’t afford it. He didn’t give her any luxuries, couldn’t spend any money on her. However, we are told that he spent a fortune at the launderette and in bribing the boys due to his laziness. Hypocrite. • Breaks down when Lannie comes back from the thingy. He can’t handle the stress that she was put under but he expects her to be able to. • Gives the boys lots of takeaway food when looking after them. Shows lack of commitment and laziness. • He gets a new girlfriend. She struggles washing up so he buys a dishwasher. This reinforces that he just used Lannie. He never cared about her stress or gave her luxuries but he is prepared to try and please his new girlfriend. • Fred is impatient and has an aggressive tone when talking to Lannie about the job she has. This reveals how many men believe that women don’t have a right to do what they please according to society. The violence o Fred is observed through his approach towards Lannie’s decisions. • “Now, now, Lannie, you know I won’t have the boys turn into housewives.” (pg 224) indicating how Fred feels that being a housewife and helping around the house is not a man’s job but only a woman’s. • This is ironic as Fred tells Lannie that the boys miss their mum but really, they only miss what she does for them. Laziness within the boys is revealed and the possibility of them growing up to be like their father is almost certain. • “He thought it was his wife speaking but she had already hung up and he realised it was himself stammering and dribbling his guilt into a dead line. He kept clinging to the phone like a drowner, leaning giddily against the wall if the phone box.” (pg 235-236) This image has many aspects of water towards it. Fred is symbolically drowning in his life and again as turned to a female t...