Blog Post #4

ISP Blog Post #4: Feminism

            Jpod is a book the analyzes and exposes the employees and people involved in the ever growing video game industry. Although Coupland does not create a story that necessarily moves in chronological order, he does use his writing to develop characters in an intimate and thorough way that many writers may not have the ability to do. With that said, Coupland does show uniqueness among characters, but also creates a hierarchy of people. From a feminist perspective, it is clear that women are not represented in the same way that men are. For starters, the amount of male characters highly exceeds the amount of female characters. However, it should be noted that the video game industry contains mostly male employees. So I believe that Coupland is making an accurate representation of the industry in his novel.

            JPod, although it has frantic descriptions and off beat storylines, has a clear message when it comes to discussing women. The two women in the actual “JPod” crew are Kaitlyn and Bree. Both are very unique in their own way, but share a similar personality characteristic. They both are presumed to be promiscuous and sexual beings who use femininity to perhaps obtain certain goals. Bree is known as being one who is constantly trying to impress men. Coupland wrote this character in a way that exhibits her need of an opposite sex partner for emotional validation. “My co-worker Bree was trying to impress this snobby French guy, and she wore a stinky Parisian floral fart perfume to work.” (Coupland, 286) This characteristic portrayed by Bee suggests that it is the responsibility of women to seek out mates. It also suggests that women must have to change certain aspects of themselves solely for the admiration and validation of the opposite sex.

            Coupland does make observations about the lack of women in the video game industry in Jpod. However, I believe he does this in a way that is somewhat biased. “"So this is where you work." She glowered at the pod. "I see just one woman here. What's your name?" "Kaitlin." "Kaitlin, how can you possibly work in a space where there's not even one other woman and the possibility of synchronizing ovulation cycles?" "Legally,” (Coupland, 288) In this quote, John Doe’s mother is making a remark in regards to the lack of females working in the game company. But in the sentence where she makes the remark of syncing ovulation cycles, I believe she is inferring that it be necessary for women to be around other women. It takes away from Kaitlin’s independence as a woman, and makes it seem as though she cannot handle working with primarily men.

            This book also briefly examines the need for masculinity in a man’s life. This does not exactly resonate with feminism, but should be mentioned because it is a subtle examination of gender roles in our society. “I said, "John never told us his family called him crow." "It is his name. But I respect his right and need as a male to generate a name that supports his masculinity in the cheerless environment of technology." (Coupland, 290) In essence, this quote is making a commentary of how as men, we are born somewhat neutral in how masculinity affects us as individuals. But as the quote explains, society pressures us by social norms that force certain aspects of psyche onto us.

            It was interesting dissecting feminism within JPod. Although it is not a key theme within the book, Coupland does use his book to make subtle observations of gender roles in our society.