"Three Girls," a short story by Joyce Carol Oates, is not just a story about two young women enthralled by the prescense of a celebrity in a New York bookstore, but the changing roles of women in today's society. On the surface, a reader can pick up the fantasy-like prose that Oates uses to create the desired mood of the unique night. Oates describes the girls as "drifting through the warehouse of treasures as though an enchanted forrest...enchanted by books," (77). Then the fantasy continues as they see Marylin Monroe in the bookstore.
However, this is where the role of women today comes into play. Marylin is not what the two girls expected. There was "no leading man, no dark prince...This Marylin Monroe required no man," (79). Oates is using Marylin as a symbol of the tamed, beautified woman of the olden days. However, she uses this character ironically to make a statement: women can be intellectual; they can wear men's clothes and go to a bookstore. Women are now independent as defined by not only their thoughts, but their sexuality as well.
In the end of the story, Oates reveals the real reason for the fantasy-like night: "that magical evening...when I kissed you for the first time." Oates builds up the story, breaking down the typical roles of women, and then she adds to the destruction of women mores by saying that the two girls kissed. Oates shows that the girls can be typical members of society, awestruck by a celebrity like everyone else in this world, and still be homosexual. Oates skillfully shows throughout "Three Girls" that there is a new type of woman nowadays.
However, this is where the role of women today comes into play. Marylin is not what the two girls expected. There was "no leading man, no dark prince...This Marylin Monroe required no man," (79). Oates is using Marylin as a symbol of the tamed, beautified woman of the olden days. However, she uses this character ironically to make a statement: women can be intellectual; they can wear men's clothes and go to a bookstore. Women are now independent as defined by not only their thoughts, but their sexuality as well.
In the end of the story, Oates reveals the real reason for the fantasy-like night: "that magical evening...when I kissed you for the first time." Oates builds up the story, breaking down the typical roles of women, and then she adds to the destruction of women mores by saying that the two girls kissed. Oates shows that the girls can be typical members of society, awestruck by a celebrity like everyone else in this world, and still be homosexual. Oates skillfully shows throughout "Three Girls" that there is a new type of woman nowadays.
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