Kavalier and Klay Case

In the novel Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon expresses many aspects of American culture during pre-and post WWII. This is the age of emigration, which brings people from different countries/regimes into America to pursue the American Dream that includes: freedom, a fresh start, a new beginning, and opportunity. I will be explaining the main idea of shifting gender roles and gender stereotypes. Especially for women on how they portrayed, and how they combined with core functions? I will be correlating the novel Ways of Seeing by John Berger and highlighting areas in the novel Kavalier & Clay where women are portrayed the same in both novels.

During the pre and post WWII the gender roles where in a mix. By that I mean, men were over seas fighting for freedom, while women became the breadwinners of their families. Usually the identities of women were displayed as sweet, healing, and understanding. But what Michael Chabon does in the novel makes Rosa sweet and innocent on the exterior but has the mentality of a man. On the meeting of Joe and Rosa, Rosa was depicted as having a “ strong deep, droll, masculine voice, turned up to a point that verged on speaker rattling, as if she were daring everyone around her to listen and to judge…She gave his hand a squeeze that partook of the same bold intention as her voice, a businessman’s shake, dry and forceful” (237-238). This passage signifies the identities of women are shifting through this time and gives us a contrast look to today’s society. Women today have become or becoming breadwinners of their families, which was a role usually played by men. Michael Chabon captures the birth of a universal shift that will eventually happen in the future.

Women are portrayed as sex objects, by that I mean women are mostly judged by their appearance more than their psyche. Persuade the male dominant audience. Michael Chabon captures the true definition of how women are portrayed during the pre and post WWII and how shifting definitions of gender are beginning. At this time Joe and Sammy have made it to the comic business. They named their comic The Escapist. It was about super heroes fighting crime against Hitler and his Nazi forces. Rosa influenced Joe. Joe and Sammy portrayed her in his comic as “ elusive and mysterious.