Gender Culture in "Breaking Clean"

As I read through "Breaking Clean" the first time, I was intrigued by both the writing style and the idea of gender culture as it was expressed through the story.  The author, as she reflects back on her childhood, points out that she worked, quite incessantly, in the fields as her father urged her to “get tough.”  She works to the point of exhaustion and even after fainting from the grueling heat, she treasures the time spent exerting physical energy most out of her childhood experiences.  Though she claims to have learned how to partake in “womanly duties” around the house as well, it is evident that the author would rather not adhere to the role of passive-nurturer as expected.  She defies gender stereotypes later by leaving her unaffectionate husband, taking the children, and making a living for herself in the city.

Another point of interest for me regarding gender culture was when she writes about her son’s experience after moving to the city.  Her sons grew up on the ranch, working diligently as she had as a child, and were considered “men in training.”  In the city, however, they were just children and they became emotional over the transition.  Regarding her oldest son, she writes, “If he marries and has children, he will raise them knowing that, at least technically, boys can cry.”  For me, this was a very powerful line of the story as it insinuates that the city makes men weak—that crying is not a masculine characteristic (which is true in most people’s opinions).  For someone who is seemingly so against gender norms, however, I find it interesting that she would hold men, especially her own sons, to the same gender scripted standards.

After the revelation was made to me that facts within the story were exaggerated, I immediately became turned off by the piece.  What was at first genuine intrigue to what was happening between the lines of the story became tainted as I questioned just how much more of the story had been fabricated.  I must admit that I am disappointed with the author, because I believe that the truth can be made just as interesting as fiction if written properly and with the right amount of attention.  As much as I would like to continue my internal discussion about gender culture within the story, I am inclined not to do so because of the falsehood of some of the facts.