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"Playing the Cards You're Dealt" by Varian Johnson, Ant…
"Playing the Cards You're Dealt" by Varian Johnson
Ant Joplin (cisgender male)
conforming to stereotypes
frequently bottles up emotion to avoid being "weak"
brother tells him not to do this & to talk to a counselor (rejecting stereotypes)
his father often encouraged men looking strong (conforming to stereotypes)
surprised by a man cooking for his family (p.212)
the man cooking told him not to think only women cook (rejecting stereotypes)
"He was about to add that it had been a girl that beat him, but right or wrong, he couldn't bring himself to say it. He didn't know if getting beat by a girl would make a difference to his father, but his pride couldn't take that chance," (p.72)
Ant offers to help his dad make a plate for dinner. His dad responded with, "'Besides, it's not another man's job to fix another man's plate of food,'" (p.143)
resisting stereotypes
Ant becomes spades partners with a girl, and they are a powerful duo.
Many of his classmates make fun of him for partnering with a girl throughout the book (conforming to stereotypes)
Ant's mother says there's nothing wrong with choosing a girl to play cards (p.139)
When Ant asks about his brother being picked on about liking guys, Ant's brother tells him, "'Besides, only an idiot thinks its weak to be gay,'" (p.280)
Ant helps his mom prep dinner on occasion.
Ant sees how women can be discriminated against. "Ant couldn't help but notice how it was 'just a joke' when Jamal said stuff, but Shirley was a 'dumb girl' when she did the same," (p.56)
Ant didn't want to help his friend Jamal physically fight, but he did try to break up the fight.
social construction
Most people see men as being tough and as the support system for their family. In this novel, Ant often questions these toxic masculinity-themed stereotypes. Although there is some pushback from a few characters, a good chunk of characters support Ant's resistance.
The stereotype of toxic masculinity is often reinforced in books because there's still a stigma around men receiving support and showing their soft side
The resistance to stereotypes and, instead, women being empowered is common in books because of a recent wave of feminism and increased resistance to patriarchal views.
things about stereotypes I wish were different
I wish more diversity among gender and resistance to stereotypes was common. I think by doing so, kids could see more representation in books, which may even encourage them to read more.