Argumentative Paragraph For Mr. Green - Assignment Example

ButlerRR English, Assignment Topic: Argumentative Paragraph for "Mr. Green" In the story “Mr. Green”, Robert Olen Butler uses patriarchal influence to develop the theme as for narrator’s sense of esteem by focusing on the grandfather’s opinionated statements about the status of women. The family is the basic unit of the society and it is representative sample for the prevailing social conditions. The story relates to Vietnam, and the narrator gives her version of the developments, as she recollects her childhood with her family in a small village near Hanoi, and subsequently in Saigon.

She learns from her grandfather the status of a girl in her society. While performing a ritualistic practice, her father says, "You are a girl," he said. "So its not possible for you to do it alone. Only the males can oversee the worship of his ancestors." (Butler) This is his response when the narrator tells him, "Dont worry, Grandfather, I will always say prayers for you and make offerings for you, even if Im a Catholic." (Butler) Her grandfather’s stand on the subject proves to be traumatic for her.

His belief, the product of a traditional Vietnamese upbringing, is a pointer to the women’s role as inferior to men. He doesn’t say it in a voice of condemnation. But his internal irritation is clearly evident when he states that it is impossible for a girl to take on a boy’s job that gives the narrator a clear hint that her status is inferior as compared to that of a male progeny. The author describes her inner feelings, in response to her father’s insinuation, and mental state of feeling helpless on a situation over which she has no control.

The word “impossible” is often used against her, which pierces her tender feelings like an arrow. He puts the seal of his displeasure when he tells the narrator that women are useless by stating that women are “foolish” when they engage in conversation on topics without any substance. But her position is one girl versus the tradition-bound Vietnamese society. The comfort zone for a woman is the kitchen, according to the grandfather, and he directs her to assist her mother. This confirms his stand borne out of the traditional Vietnamese upbringing that women are for performing household duties and keep the menfolk satisfied.

Even when he is counting his final days, the grandfather is unable to change his views and he expresses displeasure about the position of the family not having a male child. It is a great blow the personal identity and self-respect of the narrator and she feels saddened. The parents fail in their role to encourage females to bolster up spirits. Traditional values curb the growth of personality of a girl child, in a society in which males occupy the pivotal position and the women are subservient.

But grandfather of the narrator has made up his mind about the inferior position of the girl child. Thus, this is a poignant story of gender values. It depicts how the modern values of femininity and the ancient Confucian values that bond the narrator are poles apart. Work CitedButler, Robert Olen. "Mr. Green". Web. October 4, 2012. http://www.deanza.edu/faculty/swensson/green.html.