The World According to Garp isn't just a novel about feminism written by a man; it's a novel about a novel about feminism written by a man. Brains officially melted, right? Throughout the book, we see Garp struggle with his relationships with women in all aspects of his life. It complicates things that his mother Jenny Fields—a self-reliant woman with no interest in men—is a modern-day folk hero in the feminist community.
The book uses Garp's relationship with his mama as a launching pad for exploring plenty of other compelling topics, like the struggles of working women and the persecution of transgender individuals. So even though it's written by a man and a man is the main character, ladies get plenty of page time in this one.
Questions About Women and Femininity
- How does Roberta both challenge and exemplify traditional gender roles? Be specific, please.
- Does Jenny Fields fit the modern conception of a feminist? Why or why not? Give examples.
- How is the fear of feminism used as a political tool?
- What are some examples of Jenny's "someone's whore or someone's wife" concept?