The Power Behind Chromosomes In 'The Absence Of Emily'

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The Power Behind Chromosomes The short story by Jack Ritchie, titled “The Absence of Emily” clearly exemplifies the very reason the gender literary lense is used. The story portrays a fluidity between the power of men and women, depicts interaction between the two, and reveals the power each holds throughout the writing. It is clear that the simple difference of an X and Y chromosome severely shapes a life. Yet it is also clear the neither gender holds an absolute power over the other. In Ritchie’s short story, a woman named Millicent and her cousin’s husband, Albert, spend quite a bit of time together. Albert has recently informed Millicent that Emily left the area and is spending some time with friends in San Francisco and didn’t know when she would return. Millicent holds quite a bit of power in this situation although it is not clear at first. She knows almost everything about her cousin and confronts Albert about his claim. Millicent says “‘I’ve known Emily all her life. She has very few secrets from me. She doesn’t know anyone in San Francisco.’”. This is Millicent’s first attempt at strong arming Albert. She is digging at something. Knowledge is power and she exemplifies this …show more content…

One of those things just happens to be going to a health farm. Although Albert told Millicent that Emily was in San Francisco, he knew full well where she was the whole time. So once he was aware of the suspicion being placed upon him by Millicent, he played right into it. He even admits “I overdid it just a little bit - wiping at nonexistent perspiration, trotting after the elusive woman in the lilac dress, that sort of thing ... I didn’t want to disappoint any eager watchers.” His actions were influenced by his power. He took advantage of the opportunity Millicent had given him. Since he was a man so close to Emily, he had a power, and that power was simply

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