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Gendered Lives
Communication, Gender,
and Culture
Thirteenth EDITION

Natalie Fixmer-Oraiz
Department of Communication Studies
Department of Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies
The University of Iowa

Julia T. Wood
Lineberger Distinguished Professor of Humanities Emerita
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Australia • Brazil • Mexico • Singapore • United Kingdom • United States

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Dedication
This book is dedicated to Susan B. Anthony, Ella Baker, Frederick Douglass,
Charlotte Perkins Gilman, Emma Goldman, Sarah Grimke, Francis Ellen
Watkins Harper, Alice Paul, Margaret Sanger, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Maria
Stewart, Sojourner Truth, Mary Wollstonecraft, and other women and men
who began the conversation about gender in this country;

and to

Maya Angelou, Gloria Anzaldúa, Robert Bly, Judith Butler, Karlyn Campbell,
Mary Daly, Angela Davis, Simone de Beauvoir, Marilyn French, Michael
Kimmel, Betty Friedan, J. Jack Halberstam, bell hooks, Jackson Katz, Evelyn
Fox Keller, Lady Gaga, Amy Schumer, Gloria Steinem, Beyoncé, and other
women and men who have added to the cultural dialogue about gender;

and to

Emmons Fixmer-Oraiz, Jason Muehlhoff, Malia Obama, Sasha Obama, Niko


Pezzullo Striphas, Daniel Wood Wilco, Harrison Wood Wilco, Michelle Wood
Wilco, and other boys and girls whose voices will shape the next generation’s
understanding of women and men, masculinity and femininity, and the
meaning of gender in our society.

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Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
Copyright 2019 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
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Brief Contents

PREFACExv
ABOUT THE AUTHORS xxi

INTRODUCTION Opening the Conversation 1

PA RT 1 CONC EP TUAL FOUNDATIONS

CHAPTER 1 The Study of Communication, Gender, and Culture 15

CHAPTER 2 Theoretical Approaches to Gender Development 34

CHAPTER 3 The Rhetorical Shaping of Gender: Competing Images of Women  54

CHAPTER 4 The Rhetorical Shaping of Gender: Competing Images of Men 76

CHAPTER 5 Gendered Verbal Communication 96

CHAPTER 6 Gendered Nonverbal Communication 116

PA RT 2 GENDER ED COMMUNIC ATION I N PR AC TI CE

CHAPTER 7 Becoming Gendered 134

CHAPTER 8 Gendered Education: Communication in Schools 155

CHAPTER 9 Gendered Close Relationships 173

CHAPTER 10 Gendered Organizational Communication 194

CHAPTER 11 Gendered Media 219

CHAPTER 12 Gendered Power and Violence 239

GLOSSARY261
REFERENCES269
INDEX301

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Contents

PREFACExv
ABOUT THE AUTHORS xxi

INTRODUCTION Opening the Conversation 1


The Social Construction of Inequality 2
Feminism—Feminisms3
Becoming Aware 5
Why We Wrote This Book 7
Communication as the Fulcrum of Change 10
The Challenge of Studying Communication, Gender, and Culture 11
Features of Gendered Lives11

PAR T 1 CONCEPTUAL FOUNDATIONS

Chapter 1 The Study of Communication, Gender, and Culture 15


Communication, Gender, and Culture as an Area of Study 15
Research on Gender, Communication, and Culture 15
Reasons to Learn about Communication, Gender, and Culture 17
Gender in a Transitional Era 17
Differences between Women and Men 18
Relationships among Gender, Culture, and Communication 19
Sex19
Gender21
Beyond Sex and Gender 25
Culture28
Communication30
Communication Is a Dynamic Process 30
Communication Is Systemic 30
Communication Has Two Levels of Meaning 31
Meanings Are Created through Human Interaction with Symbols 31

Chapter 2 Theoretical Approaches to Gender Development 34


Theoretical Approaches to Gender 34
Biological Theories of Gender 35
Interpersonal Theories of Gender 40
Psychodynamic Theories of Gender Development 40
Psychological Theories of Gender Development 41
Social Learning Theory 41
Cognitive Development Theory 42
Cultural Theories of Gender 44
Anthropology44
Symbolic Interactionism 45
Critical Theories of Gender 46
Standpoint Theory 46
Queer Performative Theory 48
Theories Working Together 51

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viii   CONTENTs

CHAPTER 3 The Rhetorical Shaping of Gender: Competing Images of Women 54


The Three Waves of Women’s Movements in the United States 55
The First Wave of Women’s Movements in the United States 55
Liberal Ideology: The Women’s Rights Movement 55
Cultural Ideology: The Cult of Domesticity 56
The Second Wave of Women’s Movements in the United States  58
Liberal Ideology 58
Cultural Ideology 64
Contemporary Feminism  66
Riot Grrrl 67
Power Feminism 67
Transfeminism68
Mainstream Third-Wave Feminism 69
Hip-Hop Feminism 71

CHAPTER 4 The Rhetorical Shaping of Gender: Competing Images of Men 76


Profeminist Men’s Groups 77
NOMAS78
ACT UP: The AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power 79
Men’s Antiviolence Groups 81
The White Ribbon Campaign 81
Walk a Mile in Her Shoes 82
Mentors in Violence Prevention 83
Masculinist Men’s Groups 84
Men’s Rights 84
Father’s Rights Groups 85
Mythopoetic Men 86
Promise Keepers 87
The Millions More Movement 89
Contemporary Men’s Movements 90
The Good Men Project 92

CHAPTER 5 Gendered Verbal Communication 96


Verbal Communication Expresses Cultural Views of Gender 97
Gendered Language Excludes  97
Language Defines Gender as Binary 97
Language Shapes Awareness of Gendered Issues 100
Language Organizes Perceptions of Gender 102
Language Evaluates Gender 102
Language Allows Self-Reflection 103
Gendered Styles of Verbal Communication  103
Gendered Speech Communities 104
The Lessons of Children’s Play 104
Boys’ Games 104
Girls’ Games 105
Gendered Communication Practices 106
Feminine Communication 107
Masculine Communication 108
The Gender-Linked Language Effect 110
Gender-Based Misinterpretations in Communication 110
Showing Support 110
Troubles Talk 111
The Point of the Story 112
Relationship Talk 112
Public Speaking 113

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Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
CONTENTs   ix

chapter 6 Gendered Nonverbal Communication 116


Functions of Nonverbal Communication 117
Supplement Verbal Communication 117
Regulate Interaction 118
Establish the Relationship Level of Meaning 118
Responsiveness118
Liking118
Power or Control 119
Forms of Nonverbal Communication  119
Artifacts119
Proximity and Personal Space 122
Haptics (Touch) 123
Kinesics (Facial and Body Motion) 123
Paralanguage124
Physical Appearance 124
Interpreting Nonverbal Behavior 129
Respecting Gendered Styles of Nonverbal Communication 131

PA RT 2 GENDER ED COM MUNIC ATION I N PR AC TI CE

chapter 7 Becoming Gendered 134


Gendering Communication in the Family 136
Unconscious Processes 136
Gender Identity 136
Ego Boundaries 139
Parental Communication about Gender 140
Parental Modeling 143
The Personal Side of the Gender Drama 143
Growing Up Masculine 144
Don’t Be Feminine 144
Be Successful 144
Be Aggressive 145
Be Sexual 145
Be Self-Reliant 146
Embody and Transcend Traditional Views of Masculinity 146
Growing Up Feminine 147
Appearance Still Counts 147
Be Sensitive and Caring 148
Negative Treatment by Others 148
Be Superwoman 150
There Is No Single Meaning of Feminine Anymore 151
Growing Up Outside Conventional Genders 152

chapter 8 Gendered Education: Communication in Schools 155


Gendered Expectations and Pressures Facing Students 156
Academics156
Boys and Men 156
Girls and Women 156
LGBTQ Students 161
Gender Isn’t the Whole Story 162
Athletics162
Gender Pressures from Peers 164
Pressures to Conform to Masculinity 165
Pressures to Conform to Femininity 166
Gendered Expectations and Pressures Facing Faculty 169

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x   CONTENTs

chapter 9 Gendered Close Relationships 173


The Meaning of Personal Relationships 173
Models of Personal Relationships 174
The Male Deficit Model 174
The Alternate Paths Model 175
Gendered Styles of Friendship 176
Feminine Friendships: Closeness in Dialogue 176
Masculine Friendships: Closeness in the Doing 178
Friendships across Gender 181
Gendered Romantic Relationships 181
Developing Romantic Intimacy 182
Gendered Patterns in Committed Relationships 183
Gendered Modes of Expressing Affection 184
Gendered Preferences for Autonomy and Connection 185
Gendered Responsibility for Relational Health 186
Gendered Power Dynamics 186

chapter 10 Gendered Organizational Communication 194


Gendered Stereotypes in the Workplace 195
Stereotypes of Women 195
Sex Object 195
Mother196
Child198
Iron Maiden 199
Stereotypes of Men 200
Sturdy Oak 200
Fighter201
Breadwinner201
Nonbinary Gender in Organizations 201
Masculine Norms in Professional Life 202
Traditionally Masculine Images of Leaders 202
Traditionally Masculine Norms for Career Paths 203
Gendered Patterns in Organizations 204
Formal Practices 204
Leave Policies 204
Work Schedules 205
Informal Practices 206
Unwelcoming Environments 206
The Informal Network 206
Mentoring Relationships 208
Glass Ceilings and Walls 210
Efforts to Redress Gendered Inequity in Institutions 210
Equal Opportunity Laws 211
Affirmative Action Policies 211
Quotas214
Goals214
Diversity Training 215

chapter 11 Gendered Media 219


Media Saturation of Cultural Life 220
Media Impacts 220
Set the Agenda 220
Regulate Images of Gender 221
Underrepresent Women, Minorities, and LGBTQ People 221
Portray Men Stereotypically 222

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CONTENTS   xi

Portray Women Stereotypically 223


Gendered Images in Advertising 225
Motivate Us to Consume 228
Gender and Social Media 230
Social Networking 230
Learning and Sharing Information 231
Holding Others Accountable 233
Activism233
Consequences of Gendered Media 234
Normalize Unrealistic Standards 234
Normalize Violence against Women 235

chapter 12 Gendered Power and Violence 239


The Many Faces of Gendered Violence 239
Gender Intimidation 240
Sexual Harassment 241
Quid Pro Quo 241
Hostile Environment 241
Sexual Assault 242
Intimate Partner Violence 246
Genital Surgery 250
Male Circumcision 250
Sunna250
Excision or Clitoridectomy 250
Infibulation251
Gender-Based Murder 252
Reproductive Violence 253
Cultural Foundations of Gendered Violence 254
The Normalization of Violence in Media 255
The Normalization of Violence by Institutions 255
Schools255
Family255
Law Enforcement 256
Language256
Resisting Gendered Violence: Where Do We Go from Here? 256
Personal Efforts to Reduce Gendered Violence 256
Social Efforts to Reduce Gendered Violence 257
Taking a Voice 258

GLOSSARY  261
REFERENCES  269
INDEX  301

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Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
List of Exploring Gendered
Lives Boxes
introduction1
Multicultural Perspectives on Gender 2
About “Male-Bashing”: Julia and Natalie—the Authors— Comment 6

chapter 1 15
Journals That Feature Research on Gender and Communication 16
Grown-Up Tomboys 19
Social Views of Intersex 20
T Troubles 22
Pink Is for Boys? 24
Bathroom Battles 27

chapter 2 34
Chromosomal Variations 36
The Claims of Sociobiology 37
Biological Differences That Make a Difference 39
Cultural Variation in Fathering 44
Ga Ga for Lady Gaga 50

chapter 3 54
Aren’t I a Woman? 57
Reproductive Rights 58
The Famous Bra Burning (That Never Happened!)  60
About NOW 61
To Be Womanish, To Be a Womanist  63
The Text of the Equal Rights Amendment  65
Antifeminism66
Riot Grrrl Day 67
“Don’t Tell Us How to Dress. Tell Men Not to Rape.”  71
A Postfeminist Era?  72

chapter 4 76
The Scariest Phrase? 79
Men’s Studies 80
Men Can Stop Rape 82
Bystanders Who Don’t Just Stand By 84
Rites of Manhood 86
Grassroots Men’s Ministries 89
Misogyny91
“If You Don’t Like What’s Being Said, Change the Conversation.”  93

xii

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List of Exploring Gendered Lives Boxes    xiii

chapter 5 96
Nobel Prize for British Wife 98
Parallel Language? 99
What’s in a Name? 100
Reversal versus A Flower’s Opening 101
Seeing the Unseen/Naming the Unnamed 101
Fat Talk 103
Gender and Gaming Culture 106
Caution: Woman Speaking 111

chapter 6 116
I Am Elemental 117
Guns Are for Girls; Tea Parties Are for Boys 120
Banning Swimwear for Women 121
Beauty for Sale 125
Too Feminine to Be a Scientist? 126
A New Model for Models? 130

chapter 7 134
Superheroes and Slackers 139
#StillABoy141
Sisterhood?150
Careers for Women: Gendered, Raced, and Classed 151

chapter 8 155
Single-Sex Educational Programs 157
Name That (Wo)man 159
Straddling Two Cultures 163
Title IX: Fiction and Fact 165
Creating Victims or Protecting Victims? 167
Schoolyard Bullying 168

chapter 9 173
Passionate Friendships 177
When Focusing on Feelings Makes Us Feel Bad 178
Fertile Expectations 187
Dads at Work 189
The Mommy Myth 190
Scientists and the Second Shift 191
Fathering in Other Species 191

chapter 10 194


Personal Choice or Institutional Discrimination? 197
He Says/She Says 198
Strategies for Women’s Success in the Workplace 199
Gendered Wages 200
Work-Life Balance for All 205

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xiv    List of Exploring Gendered Lives Boxes

“That’s So Gay”  208


The Glass Escalator 210
When Quotas Raise Questions—and When They Don’t 214
Profession or Oppression? 216

chapter 11 219


The Geena Davis Institute 222
Beyond Sexy Sidekicks and Damsels in Distress 224
Co-opting Feminism 226
Is Censorship the Answer? 228
Am I Pretty? 232
Watch Out for Sparks 233

chapter 12 239


Hollaback!240
Ending Assault in Prisons 243
The Victim 245
Myths and Facts about Rape 246
Sexual Assault of Boys and Men 247
The Cycle of Intimate Partner Violence 248
Myths and Facts about Violence between Intimates 249
To Circumcise or Not to Circumcise: That Is the Question 251
Vacation Cutting 252
Whose Rights? Whose Protection? 253
Refusing to Be Defeated 257

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Preface

We wrote Gendered Lives for two reasons. First, we want to introduce students to a rich body
of research that informs us about the intricate connections among communication, gender,
and culture. Second, we think that learning about these connections empowers students
to make more informed decisions about how they personally enact gender, address gen-
der issues in their lives, and contribute to cultural attitudes, perspectives, laws, and policies
related to gender.
Since the first edition of this book appeared in the early 1990s, our understandings of
gender have changed as have issues related to gender. Society has acknowledged a greater
range of options for individuals—in the military, in the home, in professional life, in social
life, and in politics. During the past 25 years, society has become more accepting of gay, les-
bian, and transgender, or trans, identities; new women’s and men’s movements have emerged;
mass media have challenged some gender stereotypes while creating others; and social media
have added to the content and forms by which gender is continually enacted and negoti-
ated. Academic researchers have continued to map the ways that communication, gender,
and culture influence one another. This new edition responds to social changes in the United
States and around the world, as well as to feedback from students and faculty who generously
offered ideas for ways to improve this book.
We discuss this book’s origins and features in the Introduction (“Opening the Conversa-
tion,” pages 1–13). Here, we want to describe changes that make this edition different from
the last and identify supplementary resources available for students and instructors.

Changes in Gendered Lives,


Thirteenth Edition
Five significant changes differentiate this edition from its predecessors.

Enhanced Coverage of Men’s Issues


Since the first edition in the mid-1990s, Gendered Lives has included discussion of topics
related to men and masculinity. In recent years, more research on men and masculinity has
emerged and is reflected in this edition’s increased attention to men’s issues. For example,
Chapters 3 and 4 include new coverage of the Black Lives Matter movement. Also, Chapter 9
highlights men’s investment in fatherhood, and Chapter 10 covers the conflict between work
and family that many men experience.

xv

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Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
xvi   PREFACE

Attention to Gendered Dynamics in Public Life


This edition offers more focus on gender in the public sphere. For example, in Chapters 5
we attend to language used to describe male and female politicians and also the gendered
ways in which voters view candidates of each sex. Similarly, Chapter 5 points out sexist lan-
guage used in relation to athletes. We also discuss how public figures enact and challenge
gender norms.

Integrated Emphasis on Social Media


With this edition, we continue to enrich our coverage of social media, which are not only
sources of gender socialization, but also powerful platforms for rethinking gender and
for gender activism. Accordingly, we have included discussion of social media through-
out the book.

Expanded Emphasis on Application


Since the first edition, Gendered Lives has encouraged students to apply material in the book
by reflecting on gendered issues in their lives and by taking a voice in their personal lives as
well as the public sphere. This edition enlarges the commitment to application by providing
more explicit invitations for students to do something active and personal related to what
they learn in the book and the course it accompanies. The Exploring Gendered Lives boxes
that appear in every chapter now conclude by asking students to take a stand on the topics
discussed. At the end of each chapter, the Reflection, Discussion, and Action feature now
includes a Gender in Action item that encourages students to apply or extend a concept or
topic discussed in the chapter to their lives. The Gender in Action items are highlighted by
this icon .

Up-to-Date Research
A final focus of this revision is updating research. Understandings of gender and issues
connected to it change at lightning speed. To keep up with these changes, a textbook must
be continuously updated to reflect the most current research and events. To ensure the
currency of Gendered Lives, we’ve incorporated more than 275 new references into this
edition.

Pedagogical Features to Engage Students


Five features are aimed to heighten students’ engagement with the text and issues related
to gender. First, each chapter opens with “Knowledge Challenge” questions, which focus
on issues that are often misunderstood and which are covered in the chapter. Second, to
encourage active engagement with material, Exploring Gendered Lives boxes conclude by
asking students’ opinion about issues raised in the feature. Third, each chapter concludes
with questions for thought, discussion, and application. These may be assigned for stu-
dents to think about or as journal entries. They may also be prompts for class discussion.
Fourth, “Gender Online,” which appears after each chapter summary, invites students to

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PREFACE   xvii

visit websites related to chapter content and to search online for videos and information
about concepts and ideas in the chapter. Fifth, at the end of each chapter, we suggest two to
four sources—films, articles, websites, and books. Our criteria for selecting these are that
(1) we consider them either classic or especially insightful, and (2) they are accessible to
undergraduate students.
In making these changes, we’ve avoided “page creep”—the tendency of books to grow
longer with each new edition because old material is not deleted to make room for new
material. We have eliminated dated references and coverage to make room for more cur-
rent research and coverage of timely topics. We hope the changes make this edition of
Gendered Lives a valuable resource for instructors and students who want to explore the
complex and fascinating ways in which communication, gender, and culture interact and
affect our lives.

MindTap
This edition is complemented by MindTap, a platform that propels students from memori-
zation to mastery. It gives you complete control of your course, so you can provide engaging
content, challenge every learner, and build student confidence. Customize interactive syllabi
to emphasize priority topics, then add your own material or notes to the eBook as desired.
This outcomes-driven application gives you the tools needed to empower students and boost
both understanding and performance.

Access Everything You Need in One Place


Cut down on prep with the preloaded and organized MindTap course materials. Teach more
efficiently with interactive multimedia, assignments, quizzes, and more. Give your students
the power to read, listen, and study on their phones, so they can learn on their terms.

Empower Students to Reach Their Potential


Twelve distinct metrics give you actionable insights into student engagement. Identify topics
troubling your entire class and instantly communicate with those struggling. Students can
track their scores to stay motivated toward their goals. Together, you can be unstoppable.

Control Your Course—and Your Content


Get the flexibility to reorder textbook chapters, add your own notes, and embed a variety of
content including Open Educational Resources (OER). Personalize course content to your
students’ needs. They can even read your notes, add their own, and highlight key text to aid
their learning.

Get a Dedicated Team, Whenever You Need Them


MindTap isn’t just a tool, it’s backed by a personalized team eager to support you. We can
help set up your course and tailor it to your specific objectives, so you’ll be ready to make an
impact from day one. Know we’ll be standing by to help you and your students until the final
day of the term.

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xviii   PREFACE

Supplementary Resources for Students


and Instructors
Gendered Lives, thirteenth edition, offers electronic supplements to assist in making the
gender communication course as meaningful and enjoyable as possible for both students
and instructors and to help students succeed. Cengage Learning has prepared the following
descriptions for your consideration.
Instructor Companion Website. The password-protected instructor’s website includes
electronic access to the Instructor’s Resource Manual, PowerPoints, CogneroTesting Pro-
gram, Comprehensive Video Program, and links to Cengage Learning technology resources.
The Instructor’s Resource Manual comprises two main parts, the first titled and address-
ing Special Issues in Teaching Communication, Gender, & Culture; and the second a Chap-
ter-by-Chapter Guide for Teaching Gendered Lives, which provides chapter outlines and
activities.
PowerPoint® presentations contain text and images and can be used as is or customized to
suit your course needs.
Please consult your local Cengage Learning sales representative or cengage.com/login for
more information, user names and passwords, examination copies, or a demonstration of
these ancillary products. Available to qualified adopters.

Acknowledgments
One of the most gratifying aspects of writing a book is the opportunity to thank those who
have offered support, insight, and advice. First and foremost, we thank our students. The
individuals in our classes and those we meet when we visit other campuses are unfailing
sources of insight for us. Their questions and ideas, their willingness to challenge some of our
notions, and their generosity in sharing their perceptions and experiences have shaped the
pages that follow in both obvious and subtle ways.
Among the undergraduate students who have pushed us to think in new ways about gen-
der, communication, and culture are Jordana Adler, Cutler Andrews, Brandon Carter, Ethan
Cicero, Alexis Dennis, Madeline Fitzgerald, Paige Pennigar, and Nisha Verma. Among the
graduate students who have influenced our thinking are J. Beckham, Jen Cronin, Kate Harris,
Naomi Johnson, Kristen Norwood, Tim Muehlhoff, Julia O’Grady, Phaedra Pezzullo, Stace
Treat, and Grover Wehman-Brown.
Our thinking and writing also reflect conversations with colleagues. We are particularly
grateful to Professor Bonnie Dow, Vanderbilt University, who has provided wise advice and
challenges since the first edition of this book. We are also indebted to Lynn O’Brien Hallstein,
Boston University, for her generative research and her passion for wrestling with questions
about gender, communication, and culture.
We have benefited from the professional support of Nicole Morinon, Senior Product
Manager for Communication Studies, and Katy Gabel, Content Developer, who made our job
as authors far easier and far more satisfying than we had a right to expect. Along with Nicole
and Katy, others at Cengage Learning have contributed in important ways to this edition

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Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
   PREFACE   xix

of Gendered Lives. They are Colin Solan, Production Assistant; Karolina Kiwak, Associate
Content Developer; Sarah Seymour, Marketing Manager; Daniel Saabye, Content Product
Manager; and Ann Hoffman, Permissions Manager. Also, we thank Samantha Ross-Miller,
who managed the production of this book.
Finally, we are indebted to the reviewers for this edition:
Sandra Alvarez, American International College
Sandy Berkowitz, Minneapolis Community and Technical College
Mary Carver, University of Central Oklahoma
Linda Dam, University of Connecticut
Abby Dubisar, Iowa State University
Charlotte Jones, Carroll College
Mary L. Kahl, Indiana State University
Myrna Kuehn, Clarion University of Pennsylvania
Amanda Martinez, Davidson College
Julie Mayberry, Meredith College/North Carolina State University
Kelly McKay-Semmler, University of South Dakota
Susan McManimon, Rider University and Kean University
Nina-Jo Moore, Appalachian State University
Kaneez Naseem, Monroe College
Jessica Papajcik, Stark State College
Kimberly Parker, Bellarmine University
Mairi Pileggi, Dominican University of California
Joquina Reed, Texas A&M International University
Henrietta Shirk, Montana Tech of the University of Montana
Erika Thomas, California State University, Fullerton
Joseph Velasco, Sul Ross State University
Justin Walton, Cameron University
Carrie West, Schreiner University
Debbie Wigington, Chemeketa Community College
And, always, we thank our partners. Natalie is ever grateful to Vanessa for sharing her
mad smarts, generosity, compassion, and love. Julia thanks Robbie for his support, criticism,
and, most of all, his steadfast presence in her life.
Natalie Fixmer-Oraiz
Iowa City, Iowa
Julia T. Wood
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
December 2017

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Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
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Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
About the Authors

Natalie Fixmer-Oraiz is an Assistant Professor of Communication Studies and Gender, Wom-


en’s, and Sexuality Studies at the University of Iowa. She has published articles on rhetoric
and reproductive justice, the commercial surrogacy industry, and third-wave feminism, as
well as book chapters on the public debates surrounding birth control and communication
activism pedagogy. She is currently at work on Homeland Maternity, a book that examines
contemporary struggles over reproductive health and motherhood in the context of home-
land security culture. In addition, Natalie has been honored by teaching awards from the
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the American Association of Colleges and
Universities. She is committed to service-learning and experiential education as means of
helping students make connections between theory and practice and the community and the
classroom. She continues her involvement in reproductive health and justice initiatives in the
United States and transnational contexts. She currently resides in Iowa City with her wife,
son, and two cats.
Julia T. Wood is Lineberger Distinguished Professor of Humanities Emerita at the Uni-
versity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She joined the university at the age of 24. While on
the faculty, she was named the Lineberger Distinguished Professor of Humanities and the
Caroline H. and Thomas S. Royster Distinguished Professor of Graduate Education. She has
authored 17 books and edited 10 others. In addition, she has published more than 100 arti-
cles and book chapters and has presented numerous papers at professional conferences. She
has won 12 awards for undergraduate teaching and 15 awards for her scholarship.
Julia lives with her partner, Robert Cox, who is Professor Emeritus of Communication
Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Filling out their immediate family
are two cats, Rigby and Always Rowdy, and a puppy, Sydney. When not teaching or writing,
Julia works with, and consults on sex and gender issues, and serves on the Board of the Car-
olina Tiger Rescue.

xxi

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Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
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Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
Destiny is not a matter of chance; it is a matter of
choice.
—William Jennings Bryan
i
Opening the
Conversation
Knowledge Challenge:
• When was the term feminism first used?
• How many bras were burned in feminist protests in 1968?
• As a group, are heterosexual men happier in relationships with feminist or
­nonfeminist women?
• What is at stake in how we think about gender?
Textbooks typically begin with a preview of chapters and features, but we
want to launch our conversation a bit differently. We think you’re entitled to
know something about the people behind the words you’ll be reading, so we
want to open the book by introducing ourselves and explaining why we wrote
­Gendered Lives.
Most people regard books as impersonal sources of information. Like any-
thing that people create, however, books reflect the experiences, identities, and
historical context of the authors who write them. Authors influence books when
they decide which topics to include and which theories to present. This doesn’t
mean that books are not informative or reliable, but it does mean that authors’
experiences and perspectives have an impact on books. By telling you a little
about who we are and why we wrote this book, we are inviting you to think
about how our backgrounds, experiences, beliefs, and values have shaped the
book you’re reading.
Let’s start with some simple demographic information. Natalie is a white,
femme, cisgender, middle-class woman in a committed 12-year relationship
with her partner, Vanessa. Julia is a European-American, heterosexual, spiritually
engaged, middle-class woman who has been in a committed relationship with
Robbie (Robert) Cox for 42 years.
Yet, if you think about it, this information isn’t simple at all. It implies a
great deal about our identities and experiences. For instance, Julia became
an adult when the second wave of the U.S. Women’s Movement was ascend-
ing, and it influenced her personal life, political views, and perspective on
gender and culture. Natalie grew up in a culture that presented far greater
opportunities to girls and women than that of previous generations. But
even as feminism seemed to be part of the air she breathed, she also began
to notice how sexism and other forms of social and economic injustice
remained stubbornly intact.

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Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
2   introduction Opening the Conversation

The “simple” demographic information also shows that Natalie and Julia are
privileged by their race and economic class, as well as by their cisgender identi-
ties. Yet, because of persistent sexism in Western culture, Natalie and Julia have
faced gendered forms of bias and discrimination, and homophobia has com-
pounded those challenges for Natalie.
We did not earn the privileges conferred by our skin color, class, or gender
identity, nor did we earn the inequities that come with being categorized as
female and, for Natalie, being a lesbian. That is the nature of much privilege and
inequity—they are unearned. They do not reflect the achievements, efforts, or
failings of the individuals who enjoy or suffer them.

The Social Construction of Inequality


To speak of being privileged in some ways and disadvantaged in others does not mean that
these aspects of life are fixed in stone. The fact that being classified female makes approxi-
mately half of the population vulnerable to job discrimination, violence, and other injustices
is not unchangeable. Nor is it immutable that some people’s sexual orientation or race or
economic class or gender identity makes them vulnerable to inequity. In fact, one reason we
wrote this book is because we believe society can change, and each of us can be part of bring-
ing change about.
To participate in changing society, we cannot limit ourselves to our personal identities
and experiences. We need to learn about the experiences, perspectives, and circumstances of
people in other social positions: The anger and hurt experienced by trans people in a society
that defines them as abnormal; the resentment felt by some heterosexual white men toward
laws and policies that increase rights and opportunities available to women and other histor-
ically disenfranchised populations; what it means to be a person of color in a sea of white-
ness; the sense of restriction many women feel knowing they cannot venture out at night
without risking assault; the frustration felt by poor and working-class citizens whose needs
and circumstances often are not represented in legislation that claims to help everyone.
We can never fully understand the lives of people who differ from us but we can realize
that our feelings, identities, values, and perspectives are not everyone’s. Recognizing the lim-
its of our own perspectives and experiences encourages us to learn from people who have
different perspectives and experiences. We do this by respecting the specific conditions that
shape their lives and by recognizing that only they can define the meanings of their experi-
ences, feelings, thoughts, hopes, beliefs, problems, and needs. We cannot speak for them and
cannot appropriate their voices as our own (González, Houston, & Chen, 2012). But to listen
is to learn, and to learn is to broaden our appreciation of the range of human experiences and
possibilities.

Feminism—Feminisms
Finally, in introducing ourselves to you, we should tell you that we are feminists, as are 60%
of women and 33% of men in the United States (Crary, 2014). Before you form an impres-
sion based on your understanding of feminism, let’s define the term. The word feminism

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Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
Feminism—Feminisms   3

EXPLORING GENDERED LIVES

Multicultural Perspectives on Gender


How do we define and express gender? It • In addition to male and female, several
depends on which culture’s perspective you South Asian nations including India,
take. Nepal, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, for-
• The Agta in the Philippines and the Tini mally recognize hijra as a third gender.
Aborigines in Australia see keen hunting Hijra are biologically assigned male at
ability as a feminine ideal (Estioko-Griffin birth but embrace a feminine identity
& Griffin, 1997). (Human Rights Watch, 2016).In addi-
• In Melanesia, young Sambian boys per- tion to males and females, Juchitán in
form fellatio on adult men. The Sambia Oaxaca, Mexico, recognizes muxes, who
believe that swallowing the semen of are biological males who, from an early
adult men helps boys grow into healthy age, identify as females and adopt the
adult males (Herdt, 1997). roles and practices assigned to females
• Berdaches are members of approxi- in their community. Many residents of
mately 150 North American societies, Juchitán believe that muxes have special
many of which are Native Americans. abilities (Lacey, 2008).
Although berdaches often enact the • In Samoa, there is a third gender called
behaviors of a gender other than that the Fa’afafine. Fa’afafines engage in sex-
associated with their assigned sex, ual relations almost exclusively with het-
within their societies they are recog- erosexual males (Bartlett & Vasey, 2006).
nized as distinct third and fourth gen-
ders (Roscoe, 1993).

TAKE A STAND: Do you believe you would view masculinity, femininity, and sexual
orientation differently if you were Samoan or belonged to one of the other cultures
mentioned above?

was coined in France in the late 1800s. It combined the French word for “woman,” femme,
with the suffix ism, meaning “political position.” Thus, feminism means “a political posi-
tion about women.” Ironically, although many people do not call themselves feminists,
they do think that women’s rights activism has improved the conditions and opportunities
available to women. Also, many people of all sexes and genders believe that individuals
should have equal rights, regardless of their sex, sexual orientation, or gender. This sug-
gests that, for many people, there is greater reservation about the label feminist than about
the actual goals, values, and achievements of feminism.
When we talk with students who say they aren’t feminists, we often discover that we
agree on most issues relevant to gender but disagree on the meaning of the word fem-
inism. There’s good reason for this. First, feminism is not one single belief or political
position. Chapter 3 discusses a variety of feminist positions, and Chapter 4 explores the
different stances—some feminist, some not—endorsed by men’s movements. Second, most
people’s impressions of feminism have been shaped by bias in media portrayal of femi-
nism and feminists. Beginning with the inaccurate report that feminists burned bras at
a protest of the 1968 Miss America Pageant (no bras were burned at that protest), media
have consistently misrepresented feminists as man-hating, shrill extremists. Many people,

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Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
4   introduction Opening the Conversation

like a student named Andrea (see her commentary), say they aren’t feminists because they
­associate feminism with media caricatures that emphasize bashing men and engaging in
radical protests.

ANDREA
I would never call myself a feminist, because that word has so many negative
connotations. I don’t hate men or anything, and I’m not interested in protesting. I don’t
want to go around with hacked-off hair and no makeup and sit around bashing men. I
do think women and men are equal and should have the same kinds of rights, including
equal pay for equal work. But I wouldn’t call myself a feminist.

Media stereotypes of feminists don’t fit many women and men who identify as fem-
inists. Most feminists are not extremists, and most, like the two of us, have strong and
loving relationships with people of all sexes and genders. Those who identify as feminist
claim a range of gendered identities, and including traditional femininity, from inter-
est in fashions to activities such as cooking and caring for children. Research shows
that heterosexual men in relationships with feminist women are happier and consider
their relationships healthier than heterosexual men in relationships with nonfeminist
women. The converse is also true: Women in heterosexual relationships with feminist
men are happier and more satisfied with their relationships than women in heterosexual
relationships with nonfeminist men (Rudman & Phelan, 2007). Being a feminist does
not conflict with being feminine, but it does mean being reflective about how women
define and express femininity. Likewise, being a feminist does not conflict with being
masculine, but it requires conscious decision-making about how to define and express
masculinity.
Because feminism means different things to different people, we want to tell you how we
define the term. We understand feminism as an active commitment to equality and respect
for all forms of life. For us, this includes respecting all people, as well as nonhuman forms of
life and the Earth itself. Simply put, we see feminism as resisting oppression, be it the oppres-
sion of women, men, people with disabilities, people with any gender or sexual identity, peo-
ple of any race, ethnicity or religion, elderly people, children, animals, or our planet. We don’t
think oppression and domination foster healthy lives for individuals or societies as a whole.
We believe there are better, more humane, and enriching ways for us to live, and we are con-
vinced each of us can be part of bringing these alternatives into existence. During the course
of reading this book, you will encounter varied versions of feminism, which should shatter
the myth that feminism is one position, and which should also invite you to consider where
to locate yourself among diverse viewpoints.
Feminism does not just happen. It is a process and an achievement. Julia was not
raised to be a feminist. In fact, quite the contrary. She was brought up to be a traditional
Southern woman who deferred to men and devoted her life to home and family. In the
1970s when a friend first introduced Julia to some readings about discrimination against
women, her initial response was denial. She tried to rationalize inequities or repress her
knowledge of discrimination, perhaps because recognizing it was painful. When denial
failed to work, Julia became angry about the ways in which women, including herself,

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Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
Becoming Aware   5

were devalued and denied opportunities. She was also angry at herself for having been
unaware of society’s devaluation of women and for conforming to the roles assigned to
women. Eventually, Julia transformed the anger into an abiding commitment to working
for changes in society.
Natalie came to feminism somewhat differently. She was raised to believe that girls and
women were equal to boys and men. Her parents, both of whom identified as feminists,
encouraged her love of reading, music, dance, and math equally, and cheered her ath-
letic and academic pursuits. She was fortunate to have a series of teachers throughout her
schooling who believed in her and pushed her to excel. Upon entering graduate school,
she was assigned to Julia’s teaching team for the class, Gender, Communication, and Cul-
ture, using the very textbook you are reading right now (albeit an edition from a few years
back!). The material resonated profoundly: Despite the fact that Natalie had grown up
in a culture that proclaimed sexism to be over and feminism no longer needed, the new
set of concepts she encountered in Gendered Lives named persistent patterns of inequity
that she had noticed but had not had language to label and critique. Like Julia, sometimes
Natalie’s response to this new information was denial or anger, but it also ignited her curi-
osities and passions. She began exploring the histories of feminist social movements and
contemporary gendered injustices and now devotes her research, teaching, and activism
to these issues.

Becoming Aware
Whether you identify with feminism or not, you are gendered. Reading this book will expand
your understanding of gender—how it is shaped and expressed in contexts ranging from the
political arena to intimate relationships. The awareness you gain will enhance your insight
into yourself and your society.
At the same time, you may feel unsettled as you read this book. If you identify as a
woman, you may find it disturbing to learn the extent to which Western culture (and other
cultures) devalues women’s experiences and limits their opportunities. If you identify as a
man, reading this book may increase your awareness of the ways in which cultural views
of masculinity constrain your life choices. You may be uncomfortable learning about social
expectations for men to succeed, to be self-sufficient, to repress feelings, and to put work
ahead of family. You may also be surprised to learn that your sex and gender benefit you in
ways that you may not have noticed, particularly if you are white. If you challenge gender
norms or identify as LGBTQ, this book may give you language that helps you to define your
identity and experience, while also specifying the unique challenges of living as LGBTQ in a
cis- and hetero-normative world.
We also realize that a number of people reading this have been raped, sexually
abused, sexually harassed, or battered. Some of you have eating disorders; some have
suffered job discrimination; some of you have been taunted for not embodying current
social expectations for women and men; and some of you have been bullied because of
your sexual orientation or gender identity. Reading Gendered Lives is likely to stir up
these issues. If you don’t wish to deal with such difficult issues, then you may choose
to forgo or delay study in this area. However, if you are ready to wrestle with serious

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Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
Another random document with
no related content on Scribd:
Ze had er nooit over gepraat, dat ze dien avond chocola van Eduard
had gekregen, maar nu vertelde ze 't opeens.

"Heb jij chocola?" vroeg Piet verbaasd. "Kom, haal ze dan eens
gauw, ouwe jongen, ik verga van de honger!"

Eduard aarzelde even. Al een paar keer had hij zelf de doos mee
naar beneden willen nemen, maar telkens had hij ze toch nog maar
wat langer willen bewaren, en 't kwam hem nu eigenlijk een beetje
overvallen. Heel veel zin had hij niet om de doos te gaan halen,
maar toen de kleintjes ook begonnen te bedelen en beweerden dat
ze zoo vreeselijk veel trek in een heel klein stukje chocola hadden,
stond hij toch op om naar boven te gaan.

Hij had er wel voldoening van, want de flikken werden met veel
smaak verorberd, en ze vroegen dadelijk: "krijgen we er nog een?"

Bep presenteerde, en Piet hield de doos bij zich toen ze hem die
aangaf. — "Hij staat hier heel veilig!" antwoordde hij op een
ongerusten blik van Eduard.

"Geef hem toch maar hier!" vond Eduard, maar Piet zei: "Dank je
wel, dan krijgen we niks meer! Wees maar niet benauwd, hoor, we
zullen eerlijk [a266] deelen!" En toen Eduard nog bleef protesteeren:
"Kerel, ben je gek! He, je lijkt wel zoo'n ouwe theetante! Maak toch
niet zoo'n herrie om niks!"

Stijf kneep Eduard zijn lippen op elkaar en hij bleef zwijgen, ook
toen Piet aan het uitdeelen ging; "vang Hannie!" klonk het van de
kast, "vang Tom!" De flikken vlogen door de kamer, en telkens ging
er een luid gelach op als er een mis ving en de flik ergens op den
grond terecht kwam. — Vies waren ze er toch niet van.

"Vang, Eduardje!"

Eduard deed alsof hij 't niet hoorde. Even bleef 't stil in de kamer,
toen zei Lineke half hard: "Hij is kwaad."
"Da's niks," oordeelde Piet, "moet ie maar weer goed worden ook.
— We zullen er een voor hem bewaren." Hij legde een flik naast zich
op de kast. "Nou jongens, hier is de laatste! Die is voor Broer, omdat
hij de jongste is. Vang Broer!"

Strak bleef Eduard in zijn boek kijken, maar van wat er in stond
bleven zijn gedachten oneindig ver verwijderd. Een machtelooze
woede voelde hij in zich opkomen tegen Piet, die daar van zijn
chocola zat uit te deelen, uit de doos die hij van Vader had
gekregen. O, hij zou hem tusschen zijn vingers willen hebben om
hem fijn te knijpen, die Piet, die daar lachend en bluffend op de kast
zat, en die door de anderen nog toegejuicht werd ook! Eduard nam
zijn potlood op en kneep daar zoo hard in dat het bijna
[a267] tusschen zijn vingers uitglipte en zijn nagels wit werden. Hij
wilde, hij moest zich goed houden!

Opeens keek hij weer naar de kast. Waar was de doos? Die wilde
hij tenminste terug hebben!

Piet zat er mee te ballen, gooide het ding telkens tegen 't plafond
en ving het dan weer op.

"Geef hier m'n doos!" klonk het schor.

Piet keek even op, lachte eens, gooide de doos nog een paar keer
in de hoogte, hield toen op, haalde zijn mes uit zijn zak, en zei: "We
zullen er een mooie inscriptie opzetten. 'Wie geeft wat hij heeft is
waard dat hij leeft', of zoo iets, of weten jullie soms iets mooiers? Dat
wordt dan een blijvende herinnering aan deze groote dag!" en Piet
zette de punt van zijn mes in het deksel.

Op dit oogenblik voelde Eduard zich razend worden. Zijn gezicht


was bleek van woede toen hij driftig opstond, naar de kast ging, en
uit alle macht in Piets been begon te knijpen. "Blijf er af!"
schreeuwde hij, "geef nou op!"

Piet schopte terug. "Ben je dol!" gilde hij, "schei uit zeg! Laat m'n
been los!"
Maar toen Eduard door bleef knijpen, aldoor roepend dat hij zijn
doos terug wilde hebben, smeet Piet opeens het ongeluksding naar
het andere eind van de kamer; toen liet hij zich van de kast glijden
en gaf Eduard een klap in zijn gezicht. — Even later rolden de
jongens vechtend over den grond, overal stompend waar ze den
ander maar raken konden en telkens [a268] worstelend om los te
komen; bijna had Piet zijn neefje al onder gehad, maar doldriftig en
hijgend wrong Eduard zijn arm los en weer stompte hij Piet zoo hard
mogelijk.

Angstig en verschrikt stonden de anderen er om heen. De heele


kokerij was vergeten, met groote oogen keken ze naar de vechtende
jongens op den grond, en half huilend vroeg Lineke om nu toch
alsjeblieft op te houden; de kleintjes gilden, en met een stemmetje
dat trilde van angst riep Bep: "Paatje! Kom toch gauw! Ze vechten
zoo vreeselijk! Pa! Maatje!"

En opeens stond de Kapitein, die in zijn studeerkamer 't lawaai al


gehoord had, naast ze. Haastig duwde hij Bep en Broertje op zij. —
"Onmiddellijk ophouden!" commandeerde hij, en plotseling voelden
de vechtende jongens zich stevig beetgepakt en van elkaar
getrokken. De Kapitein zag rood van verontwaardiging, en de twee
vechtersbazen ieder bij een arm vasthoudend schudde hij ze hevig
door elkaar.

"Ellendige jongens!" riep hij, "dat gezanik altijd! Allo, de kamer uit!
Jij naar mijn kamer en jij kunt naar je slaapkamer gaan! Ingerukt
marsch!"

"M'n doos!" huilde Eduard, "ik moet m'n doos hebben!"

"Wat doos! Vooruit, opgemarcheerd! En gauw een beetje!"

En Eduard voelde hoe hij weer bij zijn arm gepakt en de kamer
uitgezet werd; hij liep de trap op, [a269] naar zijn kamertje, en met
een harden slag gooide hij de deur achter zich dicht; toen liet hij zich
voorover op zijn bed vallen en huilde, alsof hij nooit weer zou kunnen
ophouden.
"'k Wou dat ik dood was!" snikte hij, "'k wou dat ik dood was!
Niemand houdt van me!" En aldoor kwamen er maar weer nieuwe
tranen, zoodat zijn kussen heelemaal nat werd en zijn oogen pijn
deden en zijn voorhoofd gloeide.

En heel zacht, heel droevig klonk het: "Vader!"

Fluitend kwam iemand de trap op. Eduard hoorde de voetstappen


zijn deur langs komen en naar de kamer van Hugo en Piet gaan. Hij
lichtte zijn hoofd op en luisterde. Zeker was 't Hugo, die na de
cricketvergadering naar boven ging. Als hij maar niet hier kwam!
Eduard voelde 't in zijn keel kloppen. Zou hij weten van 't vechten?

Maar wat kon 't hem ook eigenlijk schelen? Ze wisten 't verder
immers toch allemaal! Och, was hij maar dood! En weer duwde hij
zijn gezicht in 't kussen. — Maar toch hoorde hij hoe Hugo op de
andere kamer bleef rondscharrelen, aldoor fluitend, hoe hij eindelijk
iets liet vallen, — toen hield het fluiten op, Eduard hoorde iets
mompelen, en duidelijk verstaanbaar klonk het: "Zeg Ee, ben jij daar
soms? Heb jij onze lucifers?" — Eduard hield zich stil; met
ingehouden adem bleef hij luisteren. Weer hoorde [a270] hij de
voetstappen over 't portaaltje gaan en de knop van de deur werd
omgedraaid; — Hugo kwam binnen.

Hevig verschrikt zat Eduard opeens overeind en keek zijn neef aan.
— Hugo was blijven staan, zijn hand nog aan de deurknop, en
staarde in stomme verbazing naar Eduards behuild gezicht.

"Wat heb jij?" vroeg hij toen.

Maar Eduard gaf geen antwoord en drukte alleen zijn mouw tegen
zijn oogen.

Hugo deed de deur dicht, en een beetje ongerust begon hij weer:
"Wat is er in vredesnaam gebeurd?"
"Och niks," barstte Eduard opeens los — "ga maar weg — we
hebben gevochten —" hij snikte het weer uit.

"Wie hebben gevochten?"

"Piet en ik." —

"En huil je daarom zoo?"

Er kwam geen antwoord meer.

"Kom, daar moet je je niet zoo dik over maken, ben je mal! Wie
huilt er nou om een beetje vechten? Kom, sta op, en drink eens wat,
en wasch je gezicht een beetje, dat zal je opfrisschen! Zoo meteen
gaan we koffiedrinken — je moet net doen of er niks gebeurd is!"

En Hugo schonk water in de kom en trok zijn neefje bij zijn arm
naar de waschtafel toe. "Vooruit," zei hij, "wasch je nou en begin nou
niet weer!"

Toen nam hij de lucifers van de tafel en ging naar zijn eigen kamer.

[a271]
XV.
"Hup jongens! naar het hol van de Manahawaas!" riep van Merlen,
een van Piets vrienden. — De lange beraadslagingen begonnen
hem te vervelen, en midden in een fraaie toespraak van Wouters
had hij er opeens genoeg van gekregen; zonder naar het slot te
luisteren stoof hij door de openstaande tuindeur naar buiten. —
Joelend en schreeuwend holde de heele jongensbende hem
achterna, naar het verste gedeelte van den tuin, waar de
Manahawaas kampeerden. —

Het hol was een groote kuil, zoowat twee meter lang en breed, en
zoo diep dat Tommy er juist in kon staan zonder dat zijn hoofd boven
de rand uitstak. Maar dit was pas 't begin, 't moest nog veel dieper
worden, en daarom hadden de Manahawaas zich op dezen
zonnigen Zaterdagmiddag in 't midden van Mei al om één uur
vereenigd bij de Verheys, met het plan nu eens hard aan 't werk te
gaan.

De club van de Manahawaas bestond uit negen leden. Hugo was


president, maar omdat hij 's Zaterdagmiddags altijd gymnastiekles
had, was Wouters [a274] nu met het oppertoezicht belast. De andere
leden waren van Merlen, Tersteeg, Piet, Eduard, Tommy met zijn
vrind Holdert en Broertje, die ook al dapper zijn best deed. Hij had
zoo verschrikkelijk graag met de groote jongens mee willen spelen
en hij had er zóó om gebedeld dat ze hem eindelijk maar als jongste
lid hadden aangenomen. Hij mocht nu 's morgens als ze allemaal
naar school waren het hol bewaken.

Van Merlen en Tersteeg zaten allebei in Piets klas.

"Schreeuw jullie nou zoo niet!" riep Wouters eindelijk, toen ze om


het hol heenstonden en weer allemaal tegelijk aan 't beweren waren,
"laten we nou liever aan 't werk gaan!" en tegen Tommy: "kleine
Verhey, haal jij nou eens gauw de schoppen!"
Tommy ging naar 't schuurtje, en Wouters vervolgde: "We zullen
om de beurt een half uur werken; eerst Tersteeg en ik, en dan
kunnen kleine Verhey en Holdert helpen, en dan kun jullie drieën
straks een half uur graven."

Ze hadden natuurlijk niet geluisterd, en Wouters moest zijn voorstel


nog een paar keer herhalen voordat ze er allemaal achter waren.

Toen daalde de eerste ploeg langs het laddertje in den kuil af en


het werk begon. —

Wouters en Tersteeg waren aan 't uitdiepen, en Tommy en kleine


Holdert hielden zich bezig met telkens het uitgegraven zand in
emmers naar boven te dragen.

"Nu jij de wacht houden en 'werda' roepen als [a275] er iemand


aankomt!" zei van Merlen tegen Broertje, knipoogend tegen Eduard
en Piet.

"Wat moet ik roepen?" vroeg Broer, die van 't woord "werda" nooit
gehoord had, en innerlijk doodsbenauwd was dat hij iets niet goed
zou doen, en dat ze hem dan in den kuil zouden stoppen en 't
laddertje wegnemen.

"Werda!" herhaalde van Merlen lachend, en toen met groote


oogen: "Pas op als je 't vergeet, hoor!"

Broer knikte, en bleef met een ernstig gezichtje den tuin inkijken;
van Merlen slungelde weg en ging een eindje van den kuil af languit
in 't gras liggen, zijn armen onder zijn hoofd.

Eduard en Piet hadden 't zich er ook al gemakkelijk gemaakt en


lagen zoo lui mogelijk van hun rust te genieten.

"'t Is warm!" merkte van Merlen op.

"Wat je zegt!" zei Piet gapend, en Eduard zuchtte: "Straks zullen


we 't nog wel warmer krijgen!"
Even zwegen de drie jongens. Toen ging Piet opeens overeind
zitten, sloeg zijn handen om zijn knieën en zei: "Lui, ik heb een fijn
plan!"

"Vertel op!" verzocht Eduard.

En Piet ging vol vuur door: "Een eindje van dien kuil af, een meter
of vier, aan de andere kant bij de schutting maken we nog een kuil,
zoowat even groot als deze en even diep, en die twee [a276] kuilen
verbinden we door een onderaardsche gang."

"Dan mogen we wel aardig diep graven," vond van Merlen, "anders
zakt het heele zaakje in."

"Nou, dan gráven we diep!" zei Piet, op een toon alsof hij dat in 't
minst geen bezwaar vond.

"Ik weet nog wat leuks," zei Eduard, "we timmeren allerlei planken
aan elkaar, en die leggen we over de kuil heen, en dan bedekken we
alles met graszoden, dan kan geen mensch ons hol vinden. Fijn,
man!"

"Maar waar halen we graszoden vandaan?" vroeg van Merlen, "hier


in de tuin is zooveel gras niet."

"Nou, dan halen we ze uit het bosch!" bedacht Eduard.

"Dat kan," stemde van Merlen toe; "nou, 't lijkt me wel moppig."

En Piet vroeg: "Hoe diep zouden we eigenlijk kunnen graven voor


we water vinden? Weet jij dat, van Merlen?"

"'k Denk een meter of zes," zei van Merlen, die er eigenlijk niet het
minste begrip van had. "Of misschien wel tien, de grond is hier nogal
droog."

"Werda!" riep Broer, en toen ze naar hem keken zagen ze dat de


kleine jongen naar de schutting wees, waar 't lachende gezicht van
Kees Beekman bovenuit kwam kijken.
"Goeiemiddag!" riep Piet.

[a277] "Ook goeiemiddag!" antwoordde Kees, "mag ik meespelen,


zeg?"

"Zeker!" vond Piet, "als je je zuster tenminste niet meebrengt!" En


van Merlen vroeg zachtjes aan Eduard, die 't dichtst bij hem zat:
"zeg Kerner, hoe heet dat joch?"

"Kees Beekman," antwoordde Eduard even zacht, en harder tegen


Kees: "Waar sta je op, zeg?"

"Op m'n stelten," zei Kees, "en Hannie heeft pianoles dus die komt
niet. Wat voeren jullie eigenlijk uit?"

"O," lachte van Merlen, "ik doe niks en Verhey helpt me en Kerner
kijkt er naar."

Kees gaf geen antwoord, bleef kijken en lachte.

"Kom," zei Eduard opstaande en zich uitrekkend, "we zullen je


eens over de schutting hijschen. Werk je nou eerst maar naar boven,
dan zullen we je aan deze kant naar beneden trekken."

Piet en van Merlen bleven er lachend naar kijken hoe Kees zich
inspande om zichzelf op te hijschen. Eindelijk zat hij bovenop de
schutting en zwaaide zijn beenen er overheen.

"Ziezoo!" riep van Merlen opstaande, "nu ieder aan een been
trekken, Kerner, dan zul je eens zien hoe gauw hij beneden is!"

Lachend en gillend trok Kees zijn beenen weer op, en proestend


bleven van Merlen en Eduard beneden staan om telkens weer naar
Kees z'n schoenen te grijpen zoodra die in hun bereik kwamen.
Krampachtig [a278] klemde Kees zich aan de schutting vast, telkens
schoppend naar de twee jongens, die dolle pret hadden om zijn
benauwd gezicht.
"Blijf af nou!" riep Kees, en "kom dan toch ook!" moedigde van
Merlen aan terwijl Eduard weer naar de schoen greep; maar 't kwam
deze keer anders uit dan hij gedacht had, want Kees had ongemerkt
het riempje van zijn schoen losgemaakt en Eduard duikelde
achterover, de schoen in zijn hand houdend. Een oogenblik keken
de jongens verbluft rond, en Kees zag kans, zich haastig naar
beneden te laten glijden. Maar 't ging niet zoo gauw of Eduard was
weer opgestaan en holde met den schoen den tuin door.
Onmiddellijk zette Kees 't ook op een loopen, Eduard achterna, en
telkens roepend: "M'n schoen! Geef op nou!"

Eindelijk liet Eduard zich hijgend in 't gras vallen en gooide Kees
den schoen toe. "Daar heb je 'm!" riep hij, "ik stik!"

"Ik ook!" zei Kees, en lachend stak hij zijn voet vooruit om te laten
zien hoe aardig zijn teen door zijn kous kwam kijken.

"Moet je mijne zien!" blufte Tommy, -- want de vier anderen hadden


het werk gestaakt, -- en hij bukte zich om zijn schoen uit te trekken.

"Nou ja, we gelooven 't wel, laat maar zitten!" zei Piet haastig.

Tersteeg was de laatste die weer aan de oppervlakte der aarde


verscheen. Langzaam liep hij naar [a279] de anderen toe, gooide de
schop op den grond, veegde zijn voorhoofd af, en zuchtte: "Ziezoo,
de tijd van luieren is voor jullie voorbij, gaan jullie nu maar eens een
beetje graven, hoor!"

"Da's goed," antwoordde van Merlen, "Kees of hoe heet je, nou
mag je helpen! 't Is hier hard werken, snap je?"

"Zeker, ik snap 't heel goed!" zei Kees, "en dan ben jij zeker de
generaal, he?"

"Welnee!" zei van Merlen lachend, en met een geheimzinnig


gezicht: "Ik ben de Manahawa Snelvoet!"
De tweede ploeg daalde in het hol af en Piet inspecteerde de kuil.
"Jullie denkt ook 'liever lui dan moe,' er is zoowat niks aan gedaan!"
riep hij tegen de anderen, die zich op hun beurt in 't gras hadden
uitgestrekt.

"Wel ja! als je soms nog wat hebt?" riep Wouters terug; "geneer je
niet!" en "Compliment aan je kippen!" voegde Tersteeg er bij; nog
even hoorden de jongens in den kuil ze samen namopperen. "Hoor
ze schelden!" lachte Eduard.

Onder 't graven werd Kees ingelicht wat de club van de


Manahawaas eigenlijk beteekende, en natuurlijk was hij zóó verrukt
over 't idee van de geheimzinnige kelders en de toekomstige
strooptochten dat hij dadelijk ook lid wilde worden. "Mag ik?" vroeg
hij.

"Wel ja, van mijn part wel!" antwoordde Piet onverschillig, en van
Merlen zei dat hij 't ook goed [a280] vond, dat 't nieuwe lid straks dan
maar gedoopt moest worden. Dat hoorde er bij, en 't was meteen
lekker koel in die warmte. —

"Ja, dat hoort erbij!" herhaalde Piet, en hard riep hij: "Zeg, halen
jullie eens een emmer water, we moeten er een doopen!"

"Da's goed, dat wil ik wel doen!" antwoordde een hooge stem. Vier
hoofden kwamen nieuwsgierig boven den kuil uitkijken.

't Was Lineke, die met Bep aan was komen loopen. "Waar heb je
den emmer?" vroeg ze.

Eduard gaf een emmer aan en Lineke liep er mee naar de keuken.

De jongens hadden hun schoppen neergegooid en waren naar


boven geklommen om de doopplechtigheid te doen beginnen. "Vind
je 't niet griezelig?" vroeg Tommy aan Kees, maar Kees antwoordde
dat de heele dooperij hem zoo koud als een kip liet.
"Wat 'n branie!" lachte Wouters, "wacht maar, jongetje, straks zul je
wel anders piepen!"

Lineke kwam met den emmer aansjouwen. 't Was zwaar, ze hijgde
er van, en van Merlen sprong ineens op en liep naar haar toe om 't
vrachtje van haar over te nemen. Eduard keek er verbaasd naar; dat
was nou iets waarover hij nooit gedacht zou hebben, en toch vond
hij 't erg aardig. —

"Nu mogen we verder toch wel mee blijven doen, he?" vroeg
Lineke onvoorzichtig.

"Dat kun je begrijpen!" antwoordde Wouters, [a281] "we zijn al met


meer dan genoeg!" en Piet voegde er bij, met zijn hoofd naar 't huis
wijzend: "Gaan jullie maar stil weer weg, we willen er geen kleine
meisjes bij hebben!"

"Ze zouden voor krijgsgevangenen kunnen dienen!" stelde


Tersteeg voor.

"Da's wat anders!" zei Wouters, "da's goed, dan stoppen we ze in


den kuil en nemen 't laddertje weg!" en met groote passen liep hij
naar Bep toe, die bij de rand van den kuil stond en aandachtig naar
beneden keek. Maar Lineke pakte haar zusje bij de hand. "Kom
mee, Bep!" zei ze met een minachtenden blik naar de jongens, "ze
willen niet met ons spelen, we zullen wat gaan schommelen!"

Zwijgend keken de Manahawaas de twee meisjes na, die zonder


om te kijken naar den schommel gingen, toen zei Eduard met een
kleur: "Wat 'n flauwe kerels zijn jullie, waarom mogen ze nou niet
meedoen?"

"Hoor hem!" hoonde Tersteeg, en Wouters snauwde kwaad: "Hou


je er buiten, jong kalf! Als je wat aan te merken hebt, ruk je maar uit!"
en tegen de anderen: "Ziezoo, nu zullen we met doopen beginnen,
kleine Verhey, haal jij eens een glas!"
Eduard stopte zijn handen in zijn zakken, en tegen een boom
leunend bleef hij er naar kijken hoe ze Kees een glas water in zijn
gezicht gooiden en toen onder veel gelach het water gingen
"opdoopen" en elkaar kletsnat smeten. Even verder stond van
Merlen zijn fiets op te pompen.

[a283] Langzaam slenterde Eduard naar den schommel toe, waar


de nichtjes aan 't spelen waren, maar ze waren nog niet in de rechte
stemming, en Eduard was te veel uit zijn humeur om gezellig mee te
doen.

"Waar ga jij naar toe?" riep hij even later tegen van Merlen, die met
zijn fiets den tuin doorliep.

"Naar huis!" riep van Merlen terug, "'k heb om halfvier les!"

"Welke kant ga je?"

"Door 't bosch!"

"Wacht even, dan ga 'k mee!" van Merlen bleef staan, en Eduard
vervolgde haastig: "zet jullie ook je hoed op, in 't bosch kunnen we
veel leuker spelen dan hier bij dien vervelenden schommel!"

Tante Lina hoorde 't viertal de gang doorloopen en de voordeur


dichttrekken, maar ze liet ze maar stilletjes gaan, blij met haar
rustigen Zaterdagmiddag.

"Vond jij 't nou ook niet flauw?" vroeg Eduard aan van Merlen, toen
de meisjes even voor een winkel bleven staan.

Van Merlen haalde zijn schouders op. "Och, voor mijn part hadden
ze wel mee kunnen doen," zei hij, "maar als Wouters eenmaal zoo
iets in zijn hoofd haalt geeft het je toch niks om er wat tegen in te
brengen. Je bederft je eigen plezier en je wordt nog uitgescholden
op den koop toe. Hugo is een veel leukere president dan hij."
"Hij heeft praats voor zes en 'n hoop lèf!" vulde Eduard aan, blij dat
hij eens op Wouters kon schelden.

[a284] "Nou!" van Merlen knikte veelbeteekenend, "en Piet en


Tersteeg doen hem alles na!"

In 't bosch zei van Merlen dat hij geen tijd meer had en door moest
trappen.

"Saluut!" riep hij, en Lineke haalde een bal uit haar zak en vroeg of
ze nu wat wilden gaan ballen.

"Hoedjebal!" zei Eduard, en met zijn hak trok hij een streep in 't
zand voor de lijn. —

Pas om halfvijf gingen ze naar huis toe, rood en warm van het
harde loopen, en Lineke legde de bloemen die ze geplukt had even
in 't gras om haar hoed op te zetten. —

"Komen jullie eens hier!" riep Bep, die al vooruit geloopen was, en
toen Eduard en Lineke bij haar stonden: "Kijk, een vogeltje!"

Ze bogen zich er alle drie over heen, en Eduard ging er bij op zijn
knie liggen en nam 't voorzichtig op. "'t Is dood!" zei hij.

Nieuwsgierig keken Bep en Lineke er naar. "Nee," riep Lineke, "'t is


niet dood, kijk maar, 't beweegt zijn pootje!"

Opeens begon 't vogeltje angstig te piepen.

"'t Is zeker uit 't nest gevallen," zei Eduard, "'t is nog een jong
vogeltje, zie je wel?" en zacht streek hij met zijn vinger over 't kopje.

"'t Piept zeker zoo om zijn vader en moeder," fluisterde Bep; "arm
klein vogeltje!" en Lineke [a285] vroeg: "Toe Edu, laten we 't mee
naar huis nemen, dan kunnen we 't frisch water en eten geven, hier
gaat het zeker dood!"
Eduard was opgestaan; nog steeds hield hij 't vogeltje zijn in zijn
hand. "Ik vind 't natuurlijk goed om 't mee te nemen," zei hij, "maar
hoe krijgen we 't thuis?" en tegen Lineke: "wil jij 't dragen, zeg?"

[a288] Lineke strekte haar hand uit, maar trok die haastig terug.
"Doe jij 't maar liever," vroeg ze, "je houdt het nu óók zoo voorzichtig
vast!"

Eduard ging naar 't pad terug en Bep en Lineke kwamen ieder aan
een kant naast hem loopen, telkens naar 't vogeltje kijkend. 't Piepte
nu niet meer, stil lag 't in Eduards hand, en met angstige, verschrikte
oogjes keek het rond.

"Zielig klein dier!" zei Lineke medelijdend, en Bep vroeg nog eens:
"Knijp je 't vooral niet, Eetje?"

Eduard schudde van nee, en langzaam ging het naar huis. —

"Kinderen, waar hebben jullie toch gezeten?" vroeg Tante Lina,


toen ze eindelijk thuis waren.

"In 't bosch, Tante!" antwoordde Eduard, en Lineke legde uit: "We
hebben een klein vogeltje gevonden, Ma, en nu wilden we het in een
sigarenkistje met gras leggen en dan wat brood en melk om het te
voeren, en ...."

"Ja, 't is goed," viel Tante Lina in de rede, "ga je gang, maar niet in
de huiskamer alsjeblieft, breng 't maar in 't schuurtje."
[a289]

XVI.
Met een voldaan gevoel legde Eduard zijn viool in de vioolkist.
Heerlijk vroeg was 't, nog geen acht uur, en hij had al drie kwartier
gestudeerd. De etude ging goed, en 't menuet speelde hij ook bijna
zonder fouten.

Eduard was 't eerst van allemaal naar beneden gegaan


vanmorgen; terwijl hij aan 't studeeren was had hij de anderen
langzamerhand ook hooren komen, maar ze hadden hem niet
gestoord, en vlijtig had hij doorgespeeld, drie kwartier lang. Nu naar
de huiskamer, en kijken waar ze allemaal zaten!

Maar hij vond er niemand; 't ontbijt stond klaar en 't theewater
suisde gezellig, en hij wilde juist den tuin inloopen om eens te kijken
of ze daar soms waren toen Tante Lina en Hugo binnen kwamen.

"Wel Edu, wat ben jij matineus!" zei Tante Lina, "'k wist niet wat ons
overkwam toen we daar met vioolspel gewekt werden!"

"'k Was zoo vroeg wakker," vertelde Eduard, "en toen ben 'k maar
opgestaan ook!"

[a292] Tante Lina begon boterhammen te snijden, en Hugo


plaagde: "Ja, ja, als luie menschen vlug worden ...."

"Nou, ik vind me zelf gewoonlijk toch niet zoo heel erg lui," merkte
Eduard op; "vindt u wel, Tante?"

"Nee, niet zoo héél erg," lachte Tante Lina, de thee opschenkend;
"kijk eens wat op je bord ligt, Edu!"

Eduard keek nieuwsgierig naar zijn bord en nam de briefkaart op.


"Van Vader," zei hij, toen hij Vaders bekende letters op het adres
ontdekte, en dadelijk draaide hij de kaart om en begon te lezen.

"Beste jongen,

Als je deze kaart krijgt zit ik alweer midden op zee en duurt het niet
lang meer of ik ben weer bij je. In 't eind van de volgende week ga ik
weer aan boord, en ik begin er erg naar te verlangen om weer thuis
te zijn. Wat zullen we elkaar veel te vertellen hebben, he Pepi?
Gisteren heb ik je brief gekregen waarin je schreef over 't
comediespelen op zolder. Je kunt gezellig vertellen, hoor! Veel
groeten van Vader. —

"Vader schrijft dat Vader gauw thuiskomt!" zei Eduard opkijkend, en


tegen Oom Tom, die ook beneden gekomen was: "Weet u, wanneer
Vader nu precies hier kan zijn, Oom?"

[a293] "Precies weet ik 't niet," antwoordde de Kapitein, "de


aankomst van de booten verschilt wel eens een paar dagen, maar
als 't een beetje wil zullen we je Vader over een week of twee wel
zien verschijnen, denk ik."

"Vandaag over twee weken? Dus op een Donderdag?"

"Ja hoor, ik kan er geen eed op doen," lachte Oom Tom, "ik ben
geen orakel!" en 't ochtendblad opnemend: "als je nu nog wilt dat je
Vader in Genua een brief vindt moet je met schrijven niet al te lang
meer wachten!"

Eduard knikte, en Tante Lina vroeg: "Heeft Vader nog iets nieuws te
vertellen, Edu?"

"Nee Tante, niets nieuws." Even keek hij nog naar wat Vader
geschreven had, toen gaf hij de briefkaart aan Tante Lina en zei: "U
mag 't wel lezen als u wilt." En strak bleef hij Tante Lina aankijken tot
zij de briefkaart gelezen had en hem zonder iets te zeggen aan
Eduard teruggaf. —
"We zullen Edu missen," merkte ze even later op. —

"Komen jullie ontbijten?" riep Hugo tegen de kleintjes, en toen ze 't


niet schenen te hooren liep hij zelf ook den tuin in en herhaalde, wat
harder nu "Komen jullie ontbijten, zeg?"

Nu kreeg hij antwoord, en langzaam kwamen ze opdagen. Alleen


Broertje sprong en kraaide even vroolijk als gewoonlijk, de andere
drie keken stil voor zich uit, en 't eerste wat Lineke zei toen ze
binnenkwam was: "O Edu, Hansje is dood!"

[a294] Eduards prettige stemming verdween opeens; "wat?" vroeg


hij verschrikt, en Tommy zei nog eens na wat zijn zusje zooeven
gezegd had: "Hansje is dood."

Hansje was 't vogeltje, dat ze Zaterdagmiddag in 't bosch gevonden


hadden. Vier dagen lang was 't nog blijven leven, ze hadden 't in een
leeg sigarenkistje gezet met wat frisch gras en 't mooiste dekentje uit
Beps poppenwieltje, en ze hadden 't gevoerd met in melk geweekt
wittebrood. Maar toen ze vanmorgen kwamen kijken had Hansje niet
gepiept of zijn bekje open gedaan; heel stil was hij op 't gras in 't
kistje blijven liggen, zonder zich te bewegen, en toen Lineke hem
opnam was hij al heelemaal stijf.

Lineke deed 't heele verhaal met een treurig gezichtje.

"'t Is jammer," vond Tante Lina; "jullie hadt het ook maar liever in 't
bosch moeten laten, dan waren de oude vogels het misschien wel
komen voeren; melk en wittebrood is geen geschikt eten voor een
vogeltje."

"Denkt u dat 't dan niet dood gegaan zou zijn?" vroeg Tommy.

"Lieve jongen, dat weet ik toch niet!" antwoordde zijn Moeder.

De deur ging open en Piet kwam binnen. Hij had zich verslapen
vanmorgen, en Oom Tom keek van zijn courant op en zei: "'k Zou
nog een beetje later beneden komen als 'k jou was!"
"'k Werd zoo laat wakker," verontschuldigde Piet [a295] zich, en hij
begon aan zijn boterhammen; "wat zetten jullie allemaal tragische
gezichten, wat is er voor narigheid gebeurd?"

"Hansje is dood," vertelde Bep.

Piet begon te lachen. "Zoo, is dat halfdooie beest eindelijk


gecrepeerd," zei hij, "da's wel de moeite waard om zoo'n
doodgraverssmoel ...."

Een hevige vuistslag op de tafel deed de kopjes rinkelen en


verschrikt knipte Bep met haar oogen.

Piet zweeg plotseling.

"Alsjeblieft!!" barstte de Kapitein nijdig uit, "zulke taal kun je voor je


houden, begrijp je! Die verkies ik hier niet te hooren, van jou niet en
van niemand anders!"

Onverschillig haalde Piet zijn schouders op, maar hij zei niets meer,
en op de klok kijkend begon hij te eten met een haast alsof hij
minstens uitgehongerd was. Toen dronk hij zijn glas melk leeg, stond
op, riep bij de deur "saluut!" dat voor iedereen bestemd scheen die
er naar wilde luisteren, en vertrok. De Kapitein riep hem terug, maar
Piet hoorde 't niet of deed alsof hij 't niet hoorde, en juist op het
oogenblik dat Oom Tom de huiskamerdeur opende werd de voordeur
door zijn zoon dichtgetrokken.

Met een gezicht dat niet veel goeds voorspelde ging de Kapitein
weer in de courant zitten kijken.

Hugo begon zijn boeken bij elkaar te zoeken en ook de anderen


maakten aanstalten om naar school te gaan.

[a296] "Moet Hansje daar nu maar zoo in dat kistje blijven liggen?"
vroeg Bep, en Lineke antwoordde: "We zullen hem begraven,
tusschen twaalf en twee, dan help je immers, Edu?"

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