Throughout history, America has had various controversies over discrimination, whether it concerned racism, sexism, or sexuality. Within each category, there have been many people who have taken a stance on the controversy publicly or through the form of literature. While most discrimination has been eliminated legally, there are still individuals who have yet to treat everyone equally. Jennifer Egan composed a short story, Black Box, integrating the idea that society has not yet fully overcome sexism. Through her writing, she conveys the idea that society often uses women for the benefit of those in control and the women act the role, even if they do not want to.
The author’s word choice within her short story gave the impression that the main character’s actions were all mandatory as if she had no other option. Egan uses the word “beauty” throughout the story to describe the women who do what is expected of them because “[p]osing as a beauty means not reading what you would like to read on a rocky shore in the South of France” (1). The main character, a female undercover spy, explains that beauties do not have the option of doing what pleases them. Even with something as simple as reading a book, a woman has to make decisions based on what is expected of …show more content…
In situations where she is traveling, “[a] beauty should require no more context than the presence of her Designated Mate. A beauty must appear to enjoy any journey he initiates. Simulate said enjoyment by putting on affectionate arm around him and nestling your head close to his” (Egan 12). The main character has to “simulate” her enjoyment in order to do her job. Using this word instead of saying she is actually willing to do what she has to do implies that the enjoyment is fake, an act. Her actions are a result of the expectations placed on her by her