How does Dorothy Parker use humor to explore gender differences?
The gender differences between males and females are endless. Dorothy Parker chooses to use humor to explore gender differences in her writing, “The Sexes.” It is not easy to explain such a touchy subject, such as gender differences, in a way that would not be considered offensive to either group. Not only must it not be offensive, but it also has to be accurate.
In Dorothy Parker’s writing, “The Sexes,” she does a good job in exploring one aspect in a relationship between a man and a woman, which is a woman being upset with a man. She gives a brief synopsis of a situation that may occur between two individuals that are in a type of relationship that goes beyond friendship. She begins the story giving the reader absolutely no detail of what kind of relationship this young man has with this specific girl. As you continue reading however, you notice that this isn’t any ordinary relationship, like friendship, but you never do quite know exactly what kind of relationship they are in, whether they are a couple or not.
As the story continues, the reader notices sarcasm in the lady’s tone, just as the man does. Dorothy Parker uses this sarcasm to make it obvious to the man and the reader that the lady is clearly bothered by something, but puts up a good mask acting as if nothing is wrong. As much as the man questions her and asks her what the matter is she calmly replies, “Why, nothing, why?” (Parker 25). In this line, Parker plays on the stereotype of women acting as if nothing is wrong is to show that in a way women don’t care, even though we really do.
Being a woman as a reader, it is funny to continue reading because at some point you think back to yourself and say, “wait I’ve done that before and that’s exactly how I have acted.” As for the men, they can relate to themselves by knowing exactly what emotion the man is going through, which is frustration, because they have had a...