Themes and message

The main themes of the short story “Weekend” by Fay Weldon are sexism and gender roles as the story focuses on the social representations of women in the 1970s, who were expected to be perfect wives, mothers, friends, and career women, all simultaneously. Another important theme in the short story is that of family life focusing on the relationships with children and on marriage.

Through sarcasm and irony, the author conveys an important critique of the expectations that a male-dominated society has of women, which forces women to fit in certain boxes: wife, mother, friend, career woman, mistress, etc.

Sexism and gender roles

By sexism, we understand stereotyping and discriminating against women on the basis of gender. Gender roles refer to traditional roles assumed by men and women in society, derived from their gender.

The story explores these two closely connected issues through most of the characters. The main character, Martha, is a working-mother and wife who feels she needs to comply with her husband’s sexist attitude. Martin, who is frustrated by Martha working, uses the woman’s job against her. He lets her work as long as she does not neglect her domestic duties and her duties towards her children. Martha is expected to go to work and at the same time still do all the domestic chores of a housewife (clean, take care of the children, cook), and look attractive and satisfy her husband in bed. Furthermore, her husband makes Martha pay for the house cleaner and the weekend getaways out of her wages.

At the same time, he always finds an occasion to belittle Martha’s domestic and parenting skills. He points out every mistake that she makes when she cooks, cleans, or when she takes care of the children.

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Family life

The theme of family life is explored at various levels in the story. The text conveys both aspects related to parenthood and marriage and personal relations.

Martha and Martin have different attitudes towards their children. While Martha tries to make sure that her children’s lives are organised, that they are safe and do not lack anything, Martin criticises her anxious attitude and asks her to relax. However, when something bad happens with the kids (Jasper gets a splinter), or the kids do something bad (Jenny using Katie’s towel), Martin blames Martha.

Also, while Martha worries about their children being exposed to sexual behaviour (the sex noises coming from Colin and Katie’s room), Martin calls her prudish and dismisses her worries.

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