Comment

Assignment 2B in the written exam in English HF B on August 18th 2017 asks you to comment on the boys’ and men’s behaviour towards Francine in “Open Or Wrapped” by Lynne Rees.

In the story Francine is an attractive, large-breasted young woman who becomes the target of unwanted sexual advances from men and boys.

Francine began to struggle with such unwanted attention as a teenager, when she did not know how to stop it although it disgusted her:

If boys weren’t trying to flick her nipples, then uncles with boozy breath were grabbing hold of her at Christmas and pretending to tickle her. And then there was that fat, greasy slob at the kiosk in the Co-op who always tried to rub her palm with his index finger… (ll. 23-26)

This suggests that the boys and men took advantage of the fact that Francine was young and did not know how to defend herself. Their behaviour is presented as disrespectful and unpleasant, overstepping Francine’s personal boundaries.

As a young high-school graduate who works in a shop selling fish and chips, Francine becomes the target of drunk male clients who either stare at her and her chest or openly make sexual advances towards her: “…Francine’s heard every variation she can think of on sausages – Do you fancy a bite of my saveloy, love; large cod – Large everything me; and open or wrapped – You can wrap yourself around me anytime you like, love.” (ll. 17-18)

This once a...