Daisey Lin

1464292
ENGL 220

Examining Binary Thinking in Sexing the Cherry

In Jeanette Wintersons Sexing the Cherry, reality itself is challenged and with the
fluidity of time and space brings a fluidity of norms. The characters in the novel are constantly
exploring their identities and crossing normative boundaries, similar to the way Western society
continues to progress and dismantle traditional binaries which restrict and oppress who they
condemn. Yet through the individual choices made by the characters, it is evident that
challenging these binaries often further conforms to binary thinking, either by creating new
binaries or reinforcing other binaries. Sexing the Cherry explores the dichotomy of the
conventional versus the unconventional in regards to the female gender. The conventional
includes conforming to the gender binary and the expectations for each gender. But within
these binaries, it is revealed that there are further ways to divide up an individuals identity,
which brings up the question: is the attempt to deviate from binary thinking truly progressive,
or will binaries exist regardless of how much they get broken down? This essay aims to explore
the breakdown of three essential binaries that are challenged in Sexing the Cherry and analyze
how deviating from these norms creates new norms that can be even further deviated from.
The first is the sexuality of the various female characters in the novel and the different ways
that they reject what is expected of them. The second is their physical appearance and how
they either challenge or reinforce the concept of femininity. The third binary lies in their actions
and whether they make choices that put them in dominant or submissive positions. The
purpose of examining these concepts is to uncover how challenging binaries can be either
beneficial or detrimental towards different groups and highlight points to consider in order to
work towards being a more open and accepting society for all.

Daisey Lin
1464292
ENGL 220

Works Cited
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