Gender is...one of the most effective means of social control. From birth we are enculturated into a dual gender system, reinforced by all the major institutions. (Ramet 43).
             Without some type of societal control, the world would consist of pure anarchy. It is crucial for society to set up boundaries and categories so that people can make sense of the world. Unfortunately, with these provisions also comes a denial of self-hood and individualism. For both women and men gender operates as a strict mode of social control beginning right from birth. Children are read books which define gender into two distinct categories, in children's movies or television programs it is evident that not all children are equal. Men are seen to be the strong, dominant and smart people and women are seen to be the passive, subordinate and emotional people and this constitutes what appears to be reality for children. Through the Logic of Domination, it is clear that society puts everything into dualisms, there is the 'A' side and the 'not A' side, and it is obvious that girls and women fit into the latter. Now, what is not obvious is the fact that only girls suffer through this social control, boys suffer greatly in this struggle for individuality. The goal of this essay is to illustrate ways in which gender operates as a mode of social control by comparing the novels Rubyfruit Jungle, and Sula and through examining the theory proposed by Sigmund Freud in his essay "Femininity." Freud explains that girls and boys develop their sense of individuality by identifying with their same sex parent, after a specific process of castration complex or penis envy.
             This essay will explore the institutions of parenthood, education, community and the workplace and how they work as a mechanism to control. Through the comparison of the characters Nel, Sula (Morrison) and Molly (Mae Brown) it is possible to see what choices g...