Similarities Between The Fat Girl By Andre Dubus

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Identity is a core part of our lives, our actions shape our identity and in return it defines us.

“Rose” by André Dubus, showcases a woman’s struggles with spousal abuse and losing her

children as a consequence of her actions. “The Fat Girl” also written by André Dubus depicts a young

A woman, Louise, torn between conflicting desires and complex issues of body image and identity.

Lastly “The Man Called Horse” by Dorothea Johnson, portrays a privileged white man’s struggle

to gain respect from the Indians that captured him. All showcasing different characters

struggling to fit into society's ideal standards. In the world where the fear of being different or

standing out pushes us into making compromising decisions and

actions …show more content…

People like her mother identified her by her

appearance, and encouraged her to go on strict diets and lose weight. Her mother also berated

the idea that no boys would love her due to her external figure. Causing a distorted perception

of her identity as well as normalizing the idea that in order to be loved she has to appear a certain

way. This part of Louise’s life shows that at a young age society influences our views and beliefs

from what are accustomed to such as culture, religion, and media.

Louise also shows us how one's change can affect someone's perception of our identity. For

example, Louise’s mother complimented her appearance as well as showered her with lavish

gifts when she lost weight. While her husband found her unattractive and encouraged her to

lose weight when she receded to her old eating habits. Both her mother and her husband’s

reactions show how we gain appraisal by fitting in societies standards, and disapproval if not.

This then affects one's identity as the pressure to being admired forces us to adjust ourselves,

whilst the fear of criticism restricts us to be who we truly are. In conclusion, The short …show more content…

The narrator then explains the boy’s physical

weakness during training and how he is constantly mocked by his peers. However while

Sleepwalking, the boy is seen in the process of lifting a heavy locker. Dubus' point is that the young

man had the physical strength within him. But due to the verbal ridicule, the boy had to endure,

there was a disconnect between belief and the possibility of what he could do. In the story, the boy

symbolizes the perception of our identity and the influence of the people around us. While the

other men symbolise the criticism society tolls on individuals.

As the narrator meets “Rose” in a local bar, she and the author occasionally exchanges life

stories. But what’s Interesting about the story's point-of-view is that the man is describing

Rose’s story. Filling in the gaps from what she couldn't remember and ultimately basing his

judgment from his perception of her. This also Symbolize society’s judgment and perception

of our identity from our past and our actions. Similarly to Rose in the beginning , where she is

perceived negatively because she was an

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