GENDER ROLES AND POWER DYNAMICS IN CAT IN THE RAIN

Abstract

This article examines the representation of gender roles and power dynamics in Ernest Hemingway’s Cat in the Rain. Through the interactions between the American wife, her husband, and the hotel environment, the story reflects societal expectations, marital hierarchy, and the subtle assertion of female agency. Hemingway’s minimalist style emphasizes the constraints imposed on women and the nuances of domestic power. The analysis highlights how the wife’s small acts of desire and independence challenge traditional roles, revealing both the limitations and possibilities of autonomy within early twentieth-century social norms.