2. TOMBOYS
“Gender conformity is pressed onto all
girls, not just tomboys, and this is where
it becomes hard to uphold the notion that
male femininity presents a greater threat
to social and familial stability than female
masculinity” (p. 358).
3. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Because of her tomboyish features, did you
automatically assume that Diana was a lesbian?
Who do you believe will be more acceptable by
society, a heterosexual masculine female or a
heterosexual feminine male?
Do you think male femininity presents a greater
threat to society than female masculinity or vice
versa?
4. DIRTY DIANA
“During the whole movie Diana is trying to change the
gender norms and understanding of masculinity and
femininity and after all she successfully does so. Her
violent actions, her physical appearance speak for
themselves - those are the things that get her into
gender trouble. But she stands clearly against the idea
that human being are divided into two clear-cut groups -
women and men. By the end of the movie she had
already found, formed and chosen her own individual
identity.”
What do you think the author meant by “found,
formed and chosen her own individual identity”?
Do you think that Diana’s mother’s death has a
direct impact on her individual identity? How?
5. MALE FEMININITY (TINY)
Art School Scholarship
Discontent with boxing
“what boy doesn’t like boxing?”
Feminine characteristics such as, timid,
submissive, soft, fearful
6. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Does the relationship between Tiny and his
father relates to any other father/son
relationship we have seen or read about in the
past? What are some similarities and/or
differences?
Do you agree with Diana and her father that
boys need to learn how to protect themselves
is more important than accepting a scholarship
for academics?
7. GENERAL DISCUSSION
QUESTIONS
Was it fair for the League to allow males and females
to compete against each other?
Do you feel that Adrian truly “gave it his all” in his last
fight against Diana? Did he lose purposely to save his
relationship with Diana?
Do you find it ironic that Diana’s father is heavily
construed into gender social norms, yet both his
children behave opposite to their gender norm? What
does that say about his skills in raising his children?
8. GENERAL DISCUSSION
QUESTIONS
Do you think that because Diana lived in a household
full of males, this had an impact on her masculine
dominant behavior?
Does he fit the stereotypical role of masculinity after
losing his fight to Diana?
Do you feel that the social impact of female boxing
would have been affected if the female not Latina?
