Gender Conventions In Nisha Coleman's Busker

To be unconventional is defined as separating oneself from societal norms and defying the ordinary. In Nisha Coleman’s memoir, Busker, Coleman excellently depicts the ramifications of defying gender conventions through Nisha’s appearance and lack of sexual experience compared to the average French woman. Firstly, Coleman emphasizes on Nisha’s appearance to illustrate to the reader the difference between Nisha and the average French woman. The opposing appearances is first seen at the beginning of the memoir when Nisha meets Elise, a women Pierre brought back to his apartment. Nisha finds herself shocked at Elise’s “natural confidence and hyper-feminine aura.” (32) While appreciating Elise’s attractiveness she begins to become aware of her

Coleman displays this when Nisha is invited to a Parisians apartment, Céline. Nisha finds herself very nervous to meet Céline’s French friends, thinking her unconventionality will stand out. Once she arrives, Céline explains that “it’s time to play ‘the game.’” (101) To Nisha’s surprise the game consists of answering questions written on a paper, the questions being mainly sexual. This causes Nisha to feel extremely uncomfortable due to her lack of sexual experience. Firstly, while playing the game Nisha realizes “everyone else here is so confident and sexy.” (103) The inclusion of the word, everyone else, implies that Nisha does not feel she possesses anywhere near the same confidence or sexiness as the average French woman. This is further evidence that Nisha defies gender conventions. As the game progresses, Nisha is asked what her favourite sexual position is, she finds she “can’t talk. If I tried to say anything, my voice would come out as a whine or squeak.” (102) Nisha’s inability to respond illustrates her uncomfortableness with sexuality. Whereas, the rest of the women at the party are extremely open about discussing their sex lives, “they speak about having sex as casually as if describing trying on a pair of shoes.” (103) The inclusion of, the game, is Coleman revealing to the reader that while the conventional French women views sex as a casual term, Nisha

This is seen at Frédéric’s parent’s dinner party. While Nisha is surrounded by Parisians, she is aware of the differences between the guests and herself. Yet she realizes, “I’m obviously from a different world, yet I don’t feel the need as if I have to win them over.” (238) Coleman’s inclusion of this scene demonstrates the maturity and acceptance Nisha gains from when she has just arrived in Paris. Instead of feeling ashamed of her differences, she begins to accept her unconventionality. Nisha’s acceptance of her unconventionality is seen once again at the dinner table, when she thinks to herself, “despite my deficient table manners and lack of lamb on my plate, I feel deeply imbedded in this scene – not as an observer but a participant.” (240) this quote signifies that although Nisha displays un-lady like manners and follows the uncommon vegetarian lifestyle, Nisha no longer views these traits as negative. The use of the word, participant, indicates that Nisha no longer feels like an outsider or a tourist but as someone who has a real chance of fitting into the French