↓ Transcript
Panel 1:
ELLIE: So, see, there you go. Soldiers, medieval guild men, manly grr tough guys. All knitters. You're fine.
GRAHAM: You're right.
Panel 2:
GRAHAM: It's not an affront to my masculinity. I mean, I'm at least as manly as all of those guys, right?
Panel 3:
ELLIE: *Snort*
Panel 4:
ELLIE: Sure, dear.
ELLIE: So, see, there you go. Soldiers, medieval guild men, manly grr tough guys. All knitters. You're fine.
GRAHAM: You're right.
Panel 2:
GRAHAM: It's not an affront to my masculinity. I mean, I'm at least as manly as all of those guys, right?
Panel 3:
ELLIE: *Snort*
Panel 4:
ELLIE: Sure, dear.
*Ahem* Gendering activities as masculine or feminine is kind of BS. Because knitting is fun and cookies are delicious.
This is true! But no matter how awesome baking cookies may be, the character of Graham, much like myself, is a product of our modern era, and therefore not as cool and manly as the WWI soldiers, medieval guildsmen, or dragon-riding folk of the past.
Couldn’t agree more. But the fact that when I’d mention my Husband was trying to learn how to crochet to strangers or family members and the statement would be met by weird looks or laughter…then it’s unfortunately clear that gendering activities is still an issue that needs to be addressed and discussed in our society. Sometimes even very well meaning people, such as our character Ellie, holds on to these gender stereotypes to some small extent and they may not even realize that they do it. I even do it sometimes when I feel guilty that Josh has to cook dinner because I have to work late. I’ll wrongfully assume that it’s “my job” to make sure we are fed. I could blame it on my very southern upbringing but, honestly, it’s outmoded wiring that should have been cleaned out the same day I realized that deep frying a vegetable no longer makes it healthy.
Ellie has a little growing to do as a character, but she already had a better start than others when it come to looking past gender stereotypes.
I, for one, think it is not the least bit unmanly to bake or cook. Josh make some frickin’ awesome cup pies (He calls them Cuppies!) and is making Chicken Bruchetta Wraps tonight for dinner since I am about ready to crash after being up for 30 hours straight.
And I also agree that knitting and cookies are awesome.
I’d agree, the active gendering of various activities is generally regressive and unproductive.
But, we can’t pretend that society as a whole doesn’t already gender certain things. I think that reflecting these things in all sorts of places (webcomics among them) an author can imbue those ideas into their characters as a basis for trying to comment on them.
Truth be told, this is a relatively young comic (compared to some other comics that I read–one just passed its 12th anniversary), so I’m willing to give a pretty long time to see how things develop. Particularly given that it is free to read (and takes about two minutes of my day), two or three years to see if I can get into the characters/writing/story over the long run isn’t terrible.
I live in a very small town in the US, and when my daughter wore leg-warmers my husband had crocheted, there were nothing but positive reactions. I was mildly suprised, actually.
His towel changed colors.
Yes, stereotypes will still be with us, but isn’t it nice we can break them with impunity. (Like when I go out and work on my car…) Oh, and can you explain “deep fry does not equal healthy” to my husband? He seems to be under the impression that is a prerequisite for vegetables.
Graham and my husband are like the same person! We’ve both been loving this story arc, thanks for writing it!
Yet again, you are peeking into my home life. LOL I love this comic. I feel right at home with Graham knowing his “softer side” and Ellie loving him just as he is.
Keep up the great work!