The difference between how boys are supposed to act and how girls are supposed to act is still a pretty stark line; people who cross it might find society looking at them funny or even shunning them. During the Civil War, however, the line was even darker, bolder, and maybe even had some cute dots running alongside it.
When Drusilla, Bayard's cousin, puts on some pants, sits astride a horse, and goes off to "hurt Yankees," she's not only breaking taboos, she's mailing the pieces to their mothers! The good ladies of the South are completely scandalized, but we think it's pretty refreshing to see that gender roles aren't natural and set in stone; they're flexible and invented by society.
Questions About Gender
- Do you think that Drusilla really prefers life during the war, or does she just say that to make herself feel better after her loss?
- What does Drusilla's mother think that she's been doing at war, and how does that differ from Drusilla's own account? Why does it matter?
- How does clothing influence Drusilla's behavior, and what does that have to do with gender roles in the novel?
- Why does Dru give Bayard the gun at the end of the novel, and why doesn't she kill Ben herself?
Chew on This
When Drusilla puts on a dress, she is defeated, because it is the ultimate symbol of femininity.
The war gives people a chance to experiment with different gender identities because all of society is so mixed up.