Ageism and Misogyny Theme in Dark Roots

In “Dark Roots,” the protagonist’s internal struggle over dating Paul, a man 13 years her junior, illustrates the deep influence that ageism and misogyny can have on women and ultimately shows that self-acceptance comes from within. From the very beginning of the story, Kennedy shows the protagonist’s obsession with her own aging process; at her gynecologist appointment, she reminisces about her younger days with her “flat stomach that effortlessly stayed that way.” The protagonist’s conversation with her friends about her relationship also serves to demonstrate that anxiety over aging is common among women. One friend comments that if the age difference between the protagonist and Paul were reversed, no one would bat an eye—showing that where aging is concerned, society has a misogynistic double standard. Still, throughout the story the protagonist’s friends gently tease her about her age, commenting that the restaurant that she and Paul had her first date at has “over-thirties lighting.” The protagonist’s friends’ comments show that, although one can be aware of the unfair standards and expectations put on women about aging, these unfair standards still take a psychological toll and shape women’s self-image.

As the protagonist’s relationship progresses, she becomes more and more anxious about Paul seeing the signs of her age. She worries about Paul seeing her wrinkles, referring to her face and neck as “spinster aunt skin.” When the couple argues, she wills herself not to cry, and symbolically not to show her true self, lest she appear “haggard,” “ugly,” and “old.” Finally, in a small victory over her own insecurity in the final scene of the story, the protagonist admits to Paul that she will “be forty in a fortnight.” However, as the scene takes place in a dark room, Kennedy doesn’t reveal Paul’s reaction. Whereas throughout the story the protagonist has used darkness to hide herself, in this scene the darkness transforms into a tool for empowerment; the protagonist’s inability to see Paul’s reaction renders that reaction irrelevant, and thus prioritizes her own self-image over others’ perceptions of her. Through the protagonist’s journey to overcome ageism and misogyny, Kennedy suggests that because societal standards are often perpetuated from within, self-acceptance is the first step to broader societal acceptance .

Ageism and Misogyny ThemeTracker

The ThemeTracker below shows where, and to what degree, the theme of Ageism and Misogyny appears in each chapter of Dark Roots. Click or tap on any chapter to read its Summary & Analysis.

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Chapter

Dark Roots

Ageism and Misogyny Quotes in Dark Roots

Below you will find the important quotes in Dark Roots related to the theme of Ageism and Misogyny.

“You’re not a smoker, are you?”

“No.”

“Only because if you were, at your age, I’d never be prescribing this brand.”

And you feel that little swoop again, hear the at your age like stepping on a sharp piece of gravel, a wince at ludicrous defensiveness.

Related Characters: Protagonist (speaker), The Doctor (speaker), Paul

Related Symbols: Contraceptive Pills

Page Number and Citation: 78

Explanation and Analysis:

“If he were thirty-nine and you were thirteen years younger nobody would turn a hair. I say go for it.”

Related Characters: Helen (speaker), Protagonist, Paul

Page Number and Citation: 78

Explanation and Analysis:

Once upon a time you would have said, confidently: show me someone who says they’ve never had a fantasy of being the Older Woman, and I’ll show you a liar.

Related Characters: Protagonist (speaker), Paul

Related Symbols: Film

Page Number and Citation: 79

Explanation and Analysis:

Here’s a dead giveaway: in the supermarket, that third week, your hand will reach out and take a box of hair colour and it’s the easiest thing in the world to appear the next day with red highlights.