"Hairball"

Having read the short story "Hairball" by Margaret Atwood, I must say even though it started out gross, it turned out into one of the most interesting pieces I have ever read. The story can be analyzed from beginning to end with very descriptive details. I loved how the story brought about the role of society and how women were to be treated and viewed in the 80's and 90's. The main character, Kat, struggles to have her voice heard in a room full of men. She tries to 'run' throughout her career in order to not suffocate from the expectation that society has set up for her and other women. She strives for female superiority and having the upper 'free-hand', but ultimately is shut down and all her credit is taken by her boss, Gerald, who is ironically enough a man. Kat desires to be independent and not like the rest of the females in the society who are in a 'class'. Kat has her 'own class'. Society expects male dominance, and all women to be housewives. Kat mocks Cheryl for being closed-minded and organized. Basically, fit just how society has set her up to be. “Her mind was room-by-room Laura Ashley wallpaper tiny, unopened pastel buds arranged in straight rows”(Atwood). Here Kat mocks the fact that Cheryl only knows what she is provided and doesn’t know how to apply the knowledge elsewhere. However, she is seduced by his manly features and becomes 'powerless'. This shows that men seduce women and women fall to society’s expectations to be completely dependent upon men. "I knew you'd prefer someone who could, well, sort of build on your foundations...she looks at his neck. She longs for him, hates herself for it, and is powerless" (Atwood).

Another reason why Kat stands out from the rest of the society is that she is constantly curious about new things and aspects. “She was terrified but also she was curious. Curiosity has got her through a lot”(Atwood). Kat was afraid to find out the results from the doctor, but she requested to take a look at the cyst due to her curious personality. This kept her on a positive note when going into the doctor’s office. Moreover, she begins to describe the features of Gerald that attracted her to him. “But he was eager, he was tractable, he was blank paper”(Atwood). Meaning that she picked him so that she could create her own masterpiece likewise, you can make just about anything with a sheet of blank paper. Since, she would get bored of things easily, she would always want something to work on and do. Her curiosity accepted the challenge and she decided to transform Gerald into a new man. “He’s a money man who lusted after art, and now he’s got some, now he is some. Body art. Her art. She’s done her job well; he’s finally sexy”(Atwood). However, her curiosity ultimately leads to her downfall and she soon wished he was his old self again, and that she was in that “silver frame”.