Power and Privilege Displayed in A Woman on a Roof Essay -- Doris Less

Power and Privilege Displayed in A Woman on a Roof  Ã‚        Ã‚  Ã‚   In Doris Lessing’s "A Woman on a Roof," three workmen react differently towards a woman sunbathing on a roof. The men are Harry, who is in his mid-40s, Stanley, who is newly married, and Tom, who is 17. They are engaged in a jovial banter when they spot a woman about fifty yards from where they are standing. She’s on her back, face down on a brown blanket. Stanley is first to comment, "She’s stark naked." Harry agrees, "Looks like it," while Tom cranes his neck so he can see more and replies, "She thinks no one can see." Stanley whistles, but the woman does not look up. She sits, smoking a cigarette (856). This seems to be one of Lessing’s most critically neglected stories. In fact, there are only a few written criticisms about it, and most of these focus on the different reactions of the three workmen. However, the woman, who is not named in the story, is also a very intriguing and interesting character. While many readers see her as an innocent – the sunbather who only wants to be left alone – there is evidence to show that she uses her sexuality through nonverbal communication to show power and privilege. Sociological perspectives suggest that nonverbal communication is of particular importance to women because their socialization to docility and passivity makes them likely targets for social control. Sexuality (masculinity or femininity) is not biologically determined but is part of social learning. In "Womanspeak and Manspeak," Nancy Henley, Mykol Hamilton, and Barrie Thorne have argued that while women’s general bodily demeanor must be restrained and restricted, and that their femininity is gauged by how little (personal) space they take up. In contra... ... Henslin, James. " On Becoming Male." Down to Earth Sociology. Ed. James Henslin. New York: The Free Press, 1991. 126-148. Lessing, Doris. "A Woman on a Roof." The Harper Anthology of Fiction. Ed. Sylvan Barnet. New York: Harper Collins, 1991. 856-862. Works Consulted Allen, Orphia Jane. " Structure and Motif in Doris Lessing’s A Man and Two Women." Short Story Criticism. Ed. Thomas Votteler.NY: Gale Research Inc., 1986. 199. Fitzgerald, Edward. " Retreat From Home." Short Story Criticism. Ed. Thomas Votteler. New York: Gale Research Inc., 1986. 186. Hardin, Nancy. "Doris Lessing and the Sufi Way." Short Story Criticism. Ed. Carolyn Riley. New York: Gale Research Inc., 1976. 123. Zak, Michele. "The Grass Is Singing: A Little Novel about the Emotions." Short Story Criticism. Ed. Thomas Votteler. New York: Gale Research Inc., 1986. 206.