What
are the attributes that define masculinity or femininity? Are the attributes presented in the
physicality or the mental, spiritual, or social components of one’s
personality? Through the eyes of Bin,
the Protagonist in Live-In Cook by
Monique Truong, the lines of gender or the quintessential stereotypes
associated with gender become unclear. A
live in cook is historically and stereotypically coupled with comforting images
of a plump and matronly figure donning an apron as she lovingly tends to the
creations before her. This comforting
image is the one etched in society and represents what society has come to
know. However, where does the image of
Bin fit into our preconceived notions of what a live-in cook should be? Bin’s gender is quite eluding until the very
end of the story. This may be based on
the gender role that society has assigned people or Monique Truong may be
trying to illustrate that gender roles are ambiguous and indistinct, only
coming to classification based on societies impositions.
Bin, the protagonist in Monique
Truong’s Live-In Cook embodies the
barriers of gender characterization. Bin
desperately tries to find work as a live-in cook often deceiving himself and
others to find a job. Bin describes how
doors are shut upon him just based upon a glimpse of his appearance. Other potential employers will entertain Bin
out of curiosity only to reject him further.
Bin wears an armor of scars built upon years of rejection, ridicules and
refutation. Denunciation by society based
on his gender coupled with choice of profession has made Bin condemn the very
essence of who he is. In trying to
deceive others in order to procure employment, Bin has deceived himself most of
all.
Many people may have feared Bin
because he was a male trying to find female work. Based on preconceived notions
of what a live-in cook should personify and the gender roles connected to this
profession, most people were fearful and suspicious of Bin’s motives. This
becomes crystal clear in the end when we discover that Bin is really a male.
What’s even more interesting is that Bin is a homosexual that blurs the lines
of gender even more.
Coincidently, Bin does get hired for
a long-term position in the home of two women living together in the early 19th
century. It is ironic that Bin finds a
sense of superficial acceptance in the home of a seemingly unconventional
family. Bin was eventually cast out of
all other homes but he secured long-term employment in the “Mesdames”
home. Though ambiguous and vague in
meaning, could this be the acceptance of the unaccepted in the home of two
women who may have been unaccepted?
Bin is seemingly portrayed as a
female in the story until we discover he is a male. Though the author does
allude to him being a male, the gender lines remain blurred until the end. This is due to Bin’s choice of profession as
a live-in cook that usually coincides with female occupation. It is interesting that Bin finds refuge
within the wall of a kitchen. He
describes the kitchen a sanctum or holy structure in which he feels important,
revered, and valued. It is within those
walls that Bin’s judgments about himself and the judgments of other’s about him
seemingly melt away both literally and figuratively.
Live-In
Cook by Monique Truong exemplifies and personifies the role of gender
within the eye of the beholder. Gender
is classified within societies impositions, classifications, and
perceptions. Gender is what we perceive
it to be. Bin had to hide and deceive others in order to procure work and for
his survival. Bin played into a role that was not his in order to survive. Society imposed their beliefs and perceptions
onto others that then projected onto Bin.
His sanctum was found in the kitchen away from others where he felt that
judgment was non-existent. Though the
lines of gender were blurred, so was the definition of masculinity, femininity,
and sexuality. These definitions in
society are defined through the perception and opinions of others. Gender roles, either masculine or feminine
rely more on the perception of people than the actual meaning or awareness of
who is to play those roles and how they should be played.
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