Winterson on the Body

In Written on the Body the narratorsâ?? gender is never determined. While there is a possibility that Jeanette Winterson means to say that gender does not matter, there are also numerous clues pointing towards the gender of the narrator. One of the reoccurring themes that the narrator is associated with is violence. This association cannot be conclusive, but very frequently, violence is connected with masculinity. Based solely upon these references to violence, it becomes possible to relegate the narrator to a specific gender - masculine.

In the language of the novel and even occasionally manifested in the physical actions of the narrator, a close relationship to violence is made clear. Early on in the novel and in the relationship with Louise, the narrator is made analogous to a warring Indian. Louise asks the narrator if she is just another “scalp”. The narrator has seemingly created such a trail of past lovers that Louise assumes that relationships only represent conquests to her obscured partner. Beyond that fact the violent image of a scalping is invoked to link the narrator to violence in the sector of personal relationships. The interaction, like the language previously mentioned, between the narrator and Jacqueline turns violent. This turn in the relationship is partially as a result of the narrator being devious, but also because of Jacqueline’s irrational behavior. Nonetheless, the narrator, in order to halt the actions of her upset lover, slaps her across the face. It may be thought that Jacqueline needs to be stopped, but this violent act is not precipitated by other physical threats, only the destruction of personal goods. Even the narrator believes, and accurately so, that as a result of the physical violence he/she has “shown myself to be a cheap thug.” Using the language in this last statement, it is possible again to infer a male gendered narrator. Most violently descriptive of all the physical altercations is the incident between the narrator and Elgin. To find Louise, the narrator calls upon Elgin, who is found with his fiancé. Lacking provocation, apart from Elgin’s rudeness, the narrator grabs him, throws him against the door and proceeds to attempt to crush his larynx. Emotionally, this altercation possesses the most pertinence to the narrative; here the narrator wants to find Louise and believes that Elgin impedes this discovery. The rage that inhabits the narrator is understandable, although it seems uncalled for and a bit excessive. These numerous instances of excessive and unprovoked violence do not conclusively provide the reader with the gender of the narrator, but it certainly points in a specific direction.

No absolute gender will ever be ascribed to the narrator of Written on the Body. Lack of gender and the sexual ambiguity of this character is the draw to this novel. Winterson has placed this walking uncertainty into the narrative for more reasons than one may grasp. However, it does actually comment upon the roles in society that men and women occupy. The comment, though, rests upon the readerâ??s interpretation of the myriad clues presented throughout the narrative.