Transcript
Example of an A+ Final Paper for WGST 100:
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Even in todays “progressive” society, those of all sexual identities are expected to act a certain way and fulfill certain “norms” that society defines for us. One of the most blatantly defined norms is that for those who are visually female. The song “Mama’s Broken Heart” by Miranda Lambert (see lyrics at the end of this essay) perfectly identifies many of these norms, especially those that have existed throughout history, and are relatively outdated. The narrator of the song is going through what one would consider a hard break up. She screams and cuts her hair herself making her seem like she has gone off of the deep end. The narrator talks about how her mother and other people in her town are judgmental of her reaction and that her mother tells her she needs to act like a “lady.” The narrator rejects her mother’s suggestion and says it’s just an old fashioned way of dealing with things. Overall the song shows the struggle between younger generations and the restrictions the older generation chooses to put on them. To someone with an understanding of gender roles though, each verse shows the gender stereotypes, especially those of the past, and how they continue to be pushed on those with an outward appearance that is female in modern times.
The heteronormative terms and stereotypes prevalent throughout “Mama’s Broken Heart” begin even with the first verse of the song. The narrator talks about how she does things that are seen as “abnormal” such as screaming and drinking in excess. These things would not seem as odd to the listener had the narrator been a male sounding voice rather than that of a female. People don’t realize that they define what is proper for a particular sex to do, like males drinking and women doing their nails, because they allow themselves to be blinded by it. Heteronormative appearing males are regularly depicted in films, such as Full Metal Jacket, being violent and boisterous without second thought. The men in the movie scream as part of their everyday life and are regularly violent. This is just chalked up to them being males and military men. If a woman were to do something similar, like drink and scream over a breakup, she is assumed to be not normal but rather to be going crazy. This is because society tells people that stereotypical males are supposed to do these things but their female counterparts are never allowed to because that would be ridiculous. It’s like what is discussed in Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave.” People have spent their whole lives allowing themselves to be told that girls shouldn’t drink to excess or yell and scream, and choose just to accept it. Those who choose to challenge this idea rather than following it like mindless zombies see that what they have been told is lacking firm foundation. There is no real reason a woman shouldn’t be able to drink like a man does or scream except for society and those who control it tell us it is not okay for some reason. Women can’t act like men because they’re supposed to be “ladies.”
The chorus of the song is the most blatant push to fulfill the stereotypical female gender roles. The narrator says that her mother told her to fix her make and act like a lady by doing this and stopping the display of her emotions. Makeup has been marketed and sold as a product for heteronormative females in the United States throughout modern history. So much so that makeup is frequently paralleled with being a “lady.” This is known, by those who know their history at least, to be a preposterous alignment as not too far into the distant past, males were actually expected to wear makeup as a sign of financial success. This is much like how purses are seen as a dominantly female accessory in our society while, according to the Seattle Times article “In China, alpha males carry purses,” purses are actually seen as a sign of a successful male. The more expensive of a bag they can afford to buy, the greater their wealth. Both this and makeup are an example of the fluidity of society’s rules of what being masculine or feminine are and call these rules into serious question. The makeup and the hiding of one’s emotions that the narrator’s mother tells her she must do are both ways of hiding who one truly is. Therefore the mother, and society as a whole since the mother represents society in a way, is saying that in order to be a lady and fit in with society is to put on a mask that matches what they believe they should see, therefore being a true “lady” means not being yourself in the opinion of society. Women are expected to fit into a certain box, therefore making them viewed as a being that fits within that box, rather than as an individual.
Throughout time, women have been depicted in a way that is decided to be “ideal” by society. Whether it be in painting, like during the Renaissance, or in music and on television, like in modern times, women are constantly given a cookie cutter to fit into. The song “Mama’s Broken Heart” is no different. The last verse before the final repetition of the course lays out the modern expectations for women. The verse suggests putting on face powder and lip liner, painting one’s toes, maintain tight lips, and holding back tears in front of others. Basically women are told to be emotionless dolls for the pleasure of men. This is similar to what was discussed in John Berger’s article about the depiction of women in Renaissance period works. He discusses how women are depicted in a way that tells men that they are ready for sex. Makeup is a modern way of sexualizing women. It makes them look youthful therefore making them appear ready to bare children and barely pubescent. Berger also discusses how women are often depicted in a way that announces their awareness that they are being looked at. This is why the mother of the narrator tells her to “never let them see you cry.” She is saying that one must always act as though they are being viewed, much like pes in a zoo, at all times and therefore must fit the mold of what is expected of them at all times.
All in all, gender stereotypes that humans are meant to fulfill exist in nearly every aspect of life on a constant basis. Women are told they should be “big booty hoes” in songs and men are shown they are supposed to drive fancy cars and spends tons of money on TV. All of these stereotypes are completely made up by society and therefore they, like those in this song, should be questioned and cast aside when they don’t hold up in order to create a society that views the individual rather than what they are expected to be based on what is between their legs.
"Mama's Broken Heart" Lyrics
I cut my bangs with some rusty kitchen scissors
I screamed his name ‘til the neighbors called the cops
I numbed the pain at the expense of my liver
Don’t know what I did next, all I know I couldn’t stop
Word got around to the barflies and the baptists
My mama’s phone started ringin’ off the hook
I can hear her now sayin’ she ain’t gonna have it
Don’t matter how you feel, it only matters how you look
Go and fix your make up, girl, it’s just a break up
Run and hide your crazy and start actin’ like a lady
'Cause I raised you better, gotta keep it together
Even when you fall apart
But this ain’t my mama’s broken heart
Wish I could be just a little less dramatic
Like a Kennedy when Camelot went down in flames
Leave it to me to be holdin’ the matches
When the fire trucks show up and there’s nobody else to blame
Can’t get revenge and keep a spotless reputation
Sometimes revenge is a choice you gotta make
My mama came from a softer generation
Where you get a grip and bite your lip just to save a little face
Go and fix your make up, girl, it’s just a break up
Run and hide your crazy and start actin’ like a lady
'Cause I raised you better, gotta keep it together
Even when you fall apart
But this ain’t my mama’s broken heart
Powder your nose, paint your toes
Line your lips and keep 'em closed
Cross your legs, dot your eyes
And never let 'em see you cry
Go and fix your make up, well it’s just a break up
Run and hide your crazy and start actin’ like a lady
'Cause I raised you better, gotta keep it together
Even when you fall apart
But this ain’t my mama’s broken heart
