American Literature Group 6 – Friday – Shift 1

DOROTHY PARKER

THE SEXES
HANDOUT – GROUP 6
Lecturer: Ms.Bach Linh Trang

Nguyễn Minh Hiếu (Leader) 47.01.701.103

Phạm Vũ Phương Anh 47.01.751.097
Nguyễn Diễm Quỳnh 47.01.701.158
Huỳnh Ngọc Thạch 47.01.701.165
La Thái Ngân 47.01.701.128
Lý Linh Đoan 47.01.701.080
Phạm Thị Thuỳ Dung 47.01.701.015
American Literature Group 6 – Friday – Shift 1

I. AUTHOR & WORK

Author
- Dorothy Parker (August 22, 1893 – June 7, 1967)
- An American writer, poet, critic, and influential feminist.
- Her reputation is legendary, and she is known today as one of the most brilliant writers in
American history.
- Her thoughts and ideas, presented in her characteristic style of illustrating human nature with
caustic wit, revolutionized how many people thought, especially women. Her humor is
sometimes cruel, sometimes truthful, but always sarcastic.

Writing Style
- Dorothy Parker's works are known for their wit, cynicism, and social commentary.
Wit: Parker was a master of wordplay and irony, and her writing is often characterized by its
sharp wit and biting humor.
Cynicism: Parker's writing is often cynical and dark. She was not afraid to tackle difficult
subjects, such as alcoholism, suicide, and social injustice.
Social commentary: Parker's work often satirizes the social conventions of her time. She was
particularly critical of the upper class and the wealthy, and her writing often exposes the
hypocrisy and absurdity of their behavior.

Works
Complete Stories
- A collection of Dorothy’s short stories
- It was published in 1995 and introduced by Regina Barreca
- Exposed the uncertainties and disappointments of ordinary people living ordinary lives
- Some short stories in Complete Stories: The Waltz, Lolita, A Telephone Call, Terrible Day
Tomorrow
- The Sexes is one of the short stories in Complete Stories. It is written in conversational style.
Summary clip
American Literature Group 6 – Friday – Shift 1

II. SETTING

Time 1920s: This time is when an increasing number of women entered the
workforce.

In the afternoon

“...Have I done something to hurt your feelings, honey? They way you were,
over the phone, you had me worried all day I couldn’t do a lick of work.”

Place in the living room

Physical Within this setting, these may include art deco furniture, geometric patterns,
environment and vibrant colors. The room might feature a fireplace as its central focal
point, accompanied by comfortable seating arrangements.

Social The 1920s was a decade of discovery and exploration.

context
The appearance of Flapper.

White women had the right to vote.

American Literature Group 6 – Friday – Shift 1

III. PLOT & CONFLICTS

a) PLOT

● Exposition:
A young man and woman sit on a sofa.
The young man nervously glanced down at the woman.
The man asks if she wants a cigarette.

● Rising action:
A woman initially declined a man's offer, but after four more requests, he asked her to stop
thanking him.
She apologized and offered to leave if he did not have a good time.
The woman believed her behavior was polite, but the man found it snotty.
The argument escalated, with the man accusing her of being sore at him.

● Climax:
She continued to drive him away, mentioning Florence Leaming's, which caused her anger.

● Falling action:
The man revealed his true feelings and disinterest in her, expressing his true feelings.
A woman expressed her negative impression of Florence, while a man praised her with a
soft voice, causing her to become calmer.

● Resolution:
The shy woman seemed to forgive the man, allowing the conversation to shift to her pearl
beads.
American Literature Group 6 – Friday – Shift 1

b) CONFLICTS

1. The man vs the woman

- The woman was mad because the man was discussing Florence at a party.
- They couldn't communicate, causing anger and irritation.
- The woman’s answers to the man are completely polite and formal - “Thank you.”
=> Not suitable, and she definitely has the underlying meaning of her words.
- She is being sarcastic and passive aggressive.
- She is using the phrase to express her annoyance with the man’s behavior and to
highlight the fact that he is not doing anything to help her.

The contrast in intrinsic natures between the 2 sexes:

Women: emotional, driven by the heart. >< Men: logical, driven by the mind
=> Men and women use different words to express feelings and thoughts, while each party failed
to acknowledge this difference.

2. The woman vs herself

- The woman was literally green with envy; however, she made an effort to hide that. She
was trying to convince herself to show that she was ok and had no problem at all, and to
be a polite woman as she kept saying thank you.
- She expected the man to figure out the root of the problem, but never said it explicitly.
- She wanted to show her madness but tried to hide it by acting polite and disinterested.
- She wanted the man to apologize and appease her, but acted even more upset and irritated
when he said sorry.
=> Her inner self wants conflict with her explicit acts.
=> Suggest women often hide their true feelings and intentions from others.
American Literature Group 6 – Friday – Shift 1

3. The woman vs Florence

- Jealousy and competition between the woman and Florence Leaming over the attention of
the man.
- The woman is acting sulkily, possibly because she feels neglected or insecure about the
man's interactions with Florence. To gain reassurance and to make the woman feel better,
the man criticizes Florence and praises the woman: “I think she’s terrible. Know what I
think of her? I think she’s a damn little fool”, “She’s got a terrible nose,” he said.
“You’ve got a beautiful nose. Gee, you’ve got a pretty nose.”
- The woman seemed to be very pleased by the man’s reaction; she even joined and said
mean remarks about Florence: “She has got an awfully funny nose”, “I really feel sorry
for a girl with a nose like that.”

Time 1910s - Adventure 1920s - The sexes

Women Alice was passive and immobile. She The woman proactively requested dedication
was unable to demand commitment from her partner and openly mocked her
from her lover, Ned Currie. romantic competitor, Florence.

Men It was so easy and quick for Ned to
forget about Alice in Winesburg and
be with his next girls.
The man invested considerable effort in
pleasing and reconciling with his lover.
The fact that he justified his acquaintance
with Florence indicated his endorsement of
loyalty in a relationship.
American Literature Group 6 – Friday – Shift 1

IV. CHARACTER & CHARACTERIZATION

1/ THE WOMAN
Protagonist - Round and Static character

a) Character
*The woman is a round character.
- A polite woman at first
- In the beginning, she showed quite polite behavior when she responded to the man’s offer or
questions. She said thank you or sorry despite the fact that she was upset and angry for a yet
unknown reason.
- Generally, she looked remarkably and deliberately composed throughout the beginning of the
conversation with her boyfriend.
*A jealous and childish woman
- Although the man continuously asked for her reasons for being angry, she still just wanted to
show her annoying attitude by questioning back the man’s questions.
- She ascertained that she was normal and had no problems. The only problem was him – she
supposed every single word of him was offensive or negative towards her.
- Gradually, her words finally confessed the reason why she was frustrated: being jealous of
another woman. The reason is opposed to what she showed in the beginning, which is rather an
immature and unreasonable one.

*The woman is a static character.

A typical “Flapper” in the 1920s
- A “New Woman” of society who overcame conventional female roles and strived for modern
standards at the time – being independent.
- The woman’s static personality is indicated by being self-centered and having the man know
and please her ego throughout the story.
⇒ Her emotions change.
American Literature Group 6 – Friday – Shift 1

b) Characterization: indirect
Factors Evidence Analysis
“…the fringed dress” => Even at her own home, she puts on
her fringed dress => she is fashion-
conscious.
“…handkerchief” => She loves the beautiful materials
Look “…deep was her interest in its => Elegant woman.
material, form, and possibilities.”

“…new pearl beads! => She is fashion-conscious, especially

with valuable things.
Conclusion: the description of her look reveals that she is a fashionable woman, not a
conventional one. She is materialistic and values a good exterior.
Before revealing the reason
*Being composed with inner
emotions
“Thank you” and “sorry.” => She shows abnormally formal words
“Probably” to get the man’s attention.
“wouldn’t have you go to all that She urges and annoys the man to
Speech
trouble for anything…it’s awfully recognize her feelings.
sweet of you to think of it…”

“I beg your pardon” “what did you => Even after she was offended by the
say I was.” man describing her as “snotty”, she never
raised her voice, she always talks like an
elegant lady.
Speech *Manifesting some frustration
a) By asking back
“Really?”
American Literature Group 6 – Friday – Shift 1

“Oh, you didn’t?” => Being unreasonable, she does not

“Who’s up in the air?” admit her anger and tries to prove she is
“Be what way?” the right one.
“Why, nothing, why?
“Talking like what?”
“I beg your pardon?” (I’m sorry?)
“What did you say I was?”
“I’m sore at you?”
Speech b) By supposing she is a problem
“I’m awfully sorry if I hurt your (1st incrimination)
feelings.” => However, she constantly admits she
is a troublemaker ⇒ she starts to make
him feel more guilty and implies to him
that he is the real troublemaker.

(2nd incrimination)
“I’m not exactly in the habit of
having people swear at me because Accusing the man of swearing at her
I say “thank you” to them.”

“I’m afraid I must be awfully

stupid…”
“I wouldn’t have you feel you had
(3rd incrimination)
to stay for anything.”
“I’m terribly sorry you haven’t She supposed he was not happy during
the time with her
been having a good time.”

“For goodness’ sakes…you’re (4th incrimination)

boring a person to death.” Accusing him of feeling tedious and
wanting to leave her.
“I was interfering with your (5th incrimination)
work…”
American Literature Group 6 – Friday – Shift 1

Accusing him of supposing that she is

deterring him from finishing his work.

(Guiding Question 3)
c) By not admitting her agitation
“I didn’t know I was saying
anything out of the way” => She is sure that her behaviors are
Speech “I’m not being any way” now justifiable since the wrong one is
“I haven’t the faintest idea what definitely the man ⇒ one more time her
you’re talking about…I don’t know firm position ascertains she is right.
what you mean”
Conclusion: The woman keeps avoiding directly answering the man’s question “Is it
anything I’ve done, or anything?”. She ascertains her position of being the righteous one
and tries to incriminate the man to realize his fault by himself that is talking to Florence
Leaming.
Speech After revealing the reason
*Showing jealousy
“…Why don’t you go up to => Finally she reveals the reason for her
Florence Leaming’s? I know she’d irritation.
love to have you”

“Why, I suppose you think she’s
attractive”
“…it’s perfectly natural. Some
people think she’s quite pretty.”
“You started making such a fuss
over Florence Leaming…never
wanted to see anybody else…You
two seemed to be having such a
wonderful time together…”
=> She is hinting that she is jealous of
Leaming’s beauty and the amount of
attention from the public Leaming gets.
=> She is very observant. When he
entered the room, she already had eyes
on him. She is passive-aggressively
trying to make him feel guilty.

=> She does not accept to convince her

“I’ve heard people say she’s pretty.
American Literature Group 6 – Friday – Shift 1

Honestly, I have” that she’s wrong.

“I wouldn’t look at you?” => When the man is speaking ill of

“Oh, that’s awfully funny. Oh, Leaming’s appearance, she has no
that’s marvelous. You don’t mind if problem joining him with her own
I laugh, do you?” comments.

“She has got an awfully funny => Talking behind Florence Leaming’s
nose” back to fulfill her ego.
“I really feel sorry for a girl with a
nose like that”

*Being calmer after the man’s

compliments
” Who is the sweetest girl in the =>She changes her attitude when
world?” – the man complimented. complimented but also wants the man to
“I don’t know…who?” say directly that she is beautiful.

“I was not sore…ow, my new pearl => Although she seems happy, again,
beads! Wait a second till I take she does not show it but tries to hide it.
them off. There!”

Conclusion: She starts manipulating him into being on her side to talk bad about
Florence Leaming and admit his supposed fault. She is quite a self-important person who
believes she is the rightful one to communicate in those selfish ways and never admits her
mistakes. The one who wants a direct answer from her partner but not her giving it first.

Action Smoking => In the 1920s, smoking symbolizes

glamor and demonstrated independence.

Gathering - going to the theater => She probably comes from the upper
and parties class.
American Literature Group 6 – Friday – Shift 1

=> She is a “wild” girl – a typical

flapper.
(…examining her handkerchief…) =>Even though she’s the one who invites
him over, she ignores him.

“She has got an awfully funny =>Talking behind Florence Leaming’s

nose.”“I really feel sorry for a girl back and say as if she feels sorry for her
with a nose like that” => She is mean.

Conclusion: Being self-centered and independent, she manipulates and controls him to
feel good and get to play the role of a flapper.

2/ THE MAN
American Literature Group 6 – Friday – Shift 1

(Protagonist - round character)

a) Character
The man is a round character:
He is kind, patient & smart.
- Kind: He is caring and willing to go out to buy cigarettes for the woman: “Because if you
haven’t, it wouldn’t take me a minute to go up to the corner and get you some.”

- Patient: He keeps asking to find out if there are any problems with the woman."…won't you
tell me what's the matter?", "Is it anything I've done, or anything?"

- Smart: To calm the girl down, he gives her spetacular compliments and says what she wants
to hear :"Florence Leaming! I think she's terrible." "She's got a terrible nose", "You've got a
beautiful nose.” …

He is easily confused & irritable:

- When the woman treats him in a sarcastic way, he loses his temper and says things that
irritate her: “You were so snotty when I called you up. I was afraid to talk to you.”

- When the girl keeps saying unreasonable and annoying things, the man is messed up and
crazy: “I didn’t say that! I didn’t say it, “I’m sore at you? I can’t understand what put that
idea in your head. Why should I be sore you?"

b) Characterization: indirect.
American Literature
Look “The young man with the scenic
cravat”
Speech “Want a cigarette?”
“Because if you haven’t, it wouldn’t
take me a minute to go up to the corner for a woman.
and get you some.”
“Do you want me to go out and get you
some cigarettes, or don’t you?”
“Will you for God’s sake stop thanking
me?”
“What’s the matter?”
“I don’t want to go any place! Ah,
honey, won’t you tell me what’s the
matter? Ah, please.”
"There's something the trouble. Is it
anything I've done, or anything?"
"Won't you tell me what I've done?
Have
I done something to hurt your feelings,
honey?”
Action “…glanced nervously down the sofa at
the girl in the fringed dress.”
“The young man cleared his throat,
without necessity or success,
producing a small, syncopated noise.”
He says negative points about
Florence Leaming and keeps praising
the woman to make her happy
The contrast between woman and man in speech:
Group 6 – Friday – Shift 1
=> He is conscious of his looks and
a man of upper social class
=> He made an attempt to talk to
woman.
=> He is willing to go to any length
=> He was puzzled and perplexed
when the girl keeps saying “over”
thanks
=> He genuinely cares about the
woman and repeatedly inquires if
he has done anything wrong.
=> He keeps asking the woman to
find out if he has done anything
wrong => It shows that he sincerely
cares his lover
=> He is apprehensive and makes
lots of attempts to talk with the
woman.
=> He knows exactly how to
temporarily make an angry woman
become calm.
American Literature
Man
Initiate a conversation to break the ice
between them.
Beg her to tell him the reason for her anger.
=> Get straight to the problem.
Compliment the woman to win her
forgiveness.
=> Speak kindly and use sweet words to
ease his lover => Genuinely cares about his
lover
3/ FLORENCE LEAMING
Group 6 – Friday – Shift 1
Woman
Use sarcastic tone and words to annoy the
man, reply as if she doesn’t know him.
Pick up dirt in his word to incriminate him.
=> Avoid answering the question directly
and want him to figure out the reason
himself.
Feel pleased when hearing his compliment
but doesn’t express it out.
=> She was happy to hear the kind words
but chose to keep her emotions hidden.
American Literature Group 6 – Friday – Shift 1

(Antagonist: static character)

a) Character
- She is a guest at Elise's party. She just appears through conversations between couples.
According to the woman: "It's perfectly natural. Some people think she's quite pretty".
=> Appearance: Florence Leaming is an attractive woman.

- The 2 main characters both call her by her first and last name: Florence Leaming
=> The man and woman already knew this girl before.

- “...this what’s-her-name girl came up and began talking to me before I even saw anybody
else…”
=> Action: Leaming may have a fascination with the man

A common depiction of a flapper that appears many times in Dorothy's work:

- Dorothy's flappers often take the lead in approaching men, defying social norms at the time.
- They embrace a provocative style, dressing flamboyantly, which was considered improper
conduct.
- Florence Leaming, a typical flapper of the era, embraces life's pleasures and anticipates a
romantic partner.

b) Role
She is both the cause and the resolution of the argument.
The woman's envy grows stronger with Florence’s presence.: "I'm sure the last thing I want to
do is have you stay here when you'd rather be someplace else. Why don't you go someplace
where you won't be bored? Why don't you go up to Florence Leaming's? I know she'd love to
have you."

When the man aligns himself with the woman's perspective, she becomes the catalyst for
resolving the conflict:
When he said: "She's got a terrible nose" and complimented the woman "You've got a beautiful
nose. Gee, you've got a pretty nose." Although she didn't express that pleasant feeling, she just
said: "Oh, I have not", "You're crazy also reveals her emotion.

VI. POINT OF VIEW (NARRATOR)

American Literature Group 6 – Friday – Shift 1

THIRD-PERSON OBJECTIVE PERSPECTIVE

1. Evidence

- Using Pronouns: The narrator is not a participant in the dialogue, which is indicated by the use
of pronouns such as "he" and "she" to refer to the characters.

- Using Dialogue: The characters' speech and their interactions are presented as observed by the
narrator.

- E.g: “The young man with the scenic cravat glanced nervously down the sofa at the girl in the
fringed dress.”. In this sentence, the narrator only conveys the observable actions of the character
without delving into his thoughts or emotions, maintaining a strictly external and objective
viewpoint.

2. Effect

Since the narrator does not delve into the thoughts or emotions of the characters

- Allows the reader to focus on the characters' behaviors and interactions without the narrative
expressing opinions.

- Readers are left to form their own judgments and interpretations. This can result in a more
objective and unbiased storytelling style.

- Make readers guess the motivations and feelings of the characters, which can add depth and
complexity to the story.

- This perspective emphasizes the external actions and behaviors of the characters.

- Give a sense of realism to the story since it mirrors the way we observe people in real life.

VII. THEME & HAIKU

American Literature Group 6 – Friday – Shift 1

THEME
- Love is harmony between 2 people.
- Different genders think differently.
- Love is not always a bed of roses.
- Love is equal rights to express and communicate freely.

HAIKU
1.

Moon and sun apart, 4.

Conceal, reveal who’s in charge You’re green with envy

There’s love in their heart. I find space for sympathy

Love is harmony.

2.

How are you today? 5.

Oh my dear, are you okay? Though we’re poles apart,

Nothing retards our effort
If it’s not, just say!
Argue and defuse.

3.

In the time of night,

There are moments when we fight

Your love is my light.

VIII. FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE & SYMBOLISM

American Literature Group 6 – Friday – Shift 1

1. REPETITION
a) “Thank you”: 6 times, all said by the woman.
Line Character Quotations

7 The woman “No, thank you,” she said. “Thank you ever so much
just the same.”

9 The woman “I really don’t know,” she said. “I probably have,

thank you.”

12 The woman “Oh, thank you, but I wouldn’t have you go to all that
trouble for anything,” she said. “It’s awfully sweet of
you to think of it. Thank you ever so much.”

18 The woman I’m sure I didn’t realize it was an insult to say ‘thank
you’ to a person. I’m not exactly in the habit of having
people swear at me because I say ‘thank you’ to
them.”

=> They were clearly a couple, but the woman constantly used overly polite language as if they
had been total strangers.

b) “Sorry”: 6 times, said by both the man and the woman.

Line Character Quotations

8 The man “Sorry I’ve only got these kinds”

17 The woman “I’m awfully sorry if I hurt your feelings.”

39 The woman “I’m terribly sorry you haven’t been having a good
time,”

61 The man “Well, I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t mean to say

that.

65 The man “I told you I was sorry, didn’t I?” he said.

125 The woman “I really feel sorry for a girl with a nose like that.”

- “Sorries” from the man: simple, casually put.

- “Sorries” from the woman: emphasized by adverbs of degree (awfully, terribly, really).
 American Literature Group 6 – Friday – Shift 1

2. SARCASM
In this story, sarcasm is employed to a great extent in the woman’s speech, she seemed to all say
things opposite to what she truly meant, with a tone that didn’t match her words.

The man’s speech The woman’s speech Analysis

“Want a cigarette?” “No, thank you,” “Thank you Her tone implies unease rather than
ever so much just the same.” gratitude.

“It wouldn’t take me a “Oh, thank you, but I wouldn’t The sweetness in her words contrasts
minute to go up to the have you go to all that trouble sharply with the rejection of the offer.
corner and get you for anything. It’s awfully sweet
some.” of you to think of it. Thank you
ever so much.”

“Will you for God’s sake “Really, I didn’t know I was The woman adopted a victim
stop thanking me?” saying anything out of the mentality.
way. I’m awfully sorry if I
It seems like she was mocking the man
hurt your feelings. I know for talking back at her.
what it feels like to get your
feelings hurt. I’m sure I didn’t
realize it was an insult to say
‘thank you’ to a person. I’m
not exactly in the habit of
having people swear at me
because I say ‘thank you’ to
them.”

“I did not swear at you!” “Oh, you didn’t? I see.” She mocked the man for “swearing” at
her but denied having done that.

“Do you want me to go “Goodness, if you want to go
out and get you some so much, please don’t feel you
cigarettes; or don’t have to stay here. I wouldn’t
you?” have you feel you had to stay
for anything.”
Even though she suggested that he
leave, it seems like she wanted him to
stay and appease her instead.

“You’ve been funny all “... . I’d much rather have you She implied that he would have a much
 American Literature Group 6 – Friday – Shift 1

evening. Hardly said a go and have a good time. It better time with Florence Leaming
word to me, ever since I isn’t very pleasant to sit here than her.
came in.” and feel you’re boring a
person to death.”

“You were so snotty “Goodness, don’t feel you She wanted him to feel guilty, while
when I called you up. … have to apologize to me.” telling him not to feel guilty.
“Honest, honey, I didn’t
mean it. I don’t know
how I came to say a thing
like that. Will you excuse
me? Please?

(when the woman said “Oh, didn’t you? Well, that By attributing the misunderstanding to
she didn’t want to was the impression I got. It her own "stupidity," she implies that
interfere with his being must be my stupidity.” the man's denial is insincere,
with other girls, he reinforcing her initial interpretation.
denied)
“I didn’t say that!” he
said. “I didn’t say it!”

“What would I want to go “Oh, really? If she were truly a pain, the expectation
up to Florence Leaming’s “...I notice you couldn’t even might be that he would actively avoid
for? She gives me a talk to anybody else, that’s her, which the woman sarcastically
pain.” how much of a pain she gave suggests, was not the case.
you.”

“I came up and tried to “I wouldn’t look at you?” she The phrases "awfully funny" and
talk to you, and you just said. “Oh, that’s awfully "marvelous" convey a sense of
said, ‘Oh, how do you funny. Oh, that’s marvelous. disbelief and mockery.
do’—just like that, ‘Oh, You don’t mind if I laugh, do
how do you do’—and you you?”
turned right away and
wouldn’t look at me.”
American Literature Group 6 – Friday – Shift 1

3. SYMBOLISM
a) The scenic cravat
- The cravat: symbol of culture and elegance, has been worn by men throughout history.
- Scenic: having exquisite pattern or decoration
=> The scenic cravat: worn by the man, picturing him as an elegant man of the upper class.

b) The fringed dress

Before the appearance of the “Flapper” Flapper

- Tight corset - Fringed dress: straight and loose,

leaving the arms bare and dropping
- Thick and floor-length dress the waistline to the hips. Skirts rose
to just below the knee.

=> Flappers broke traditional constraints and expressed freedom for women through the
evolution of their dresses.

c) The cigarette
The cigarette used to be an “only-man” thing, but then became a feature of a typical flapper. The
woman in the story was also described as a smoker.
=> Women can freely do what men can.

d) The pearl beads and the handkerchief

The pearl beads embodied the woman’s madness. At the end when the quarrel was resolved, she
took it off as a way to say she had cleared all the doubt and sulkiness.
The pearl beads must be expensive, implying women's economic status during the roaring 20s.
Both the pearl beads and the handkerchief symbolize women’s femininity:
=> These symbols built the image of women in 1920s society as people who freely expressed
themselves.