The Performance of Gender Ambiguity in Patti Smith´s Just Kids

Abstract

Abstract: Gender is considered fixed by society and women are confined to their defined roles; however, gender is not black and white. Patti Smith opposed these traditional roles. This essay will argue that Patti Smith, in her autobiography Just Kids, blurs fixed ideas with regard to gender. By applying feminist criticism this essay suggests that Patti Smith uses gender in her aspiration to become an artist. Furthermore, an additional emphasis will be placed on literary devices, which will be connected to how Smith uses gender ambiguity and how this plays an important part in her aspiration to become an artist. My findings will show that gender still plays an important role when it comes to one´s life choices; however, by exploring her own gender Smith manages to shift the rules. This essay will argue that without Smith´s exploration of the performance of gender ambiguity, she could not have achieved greater fame as an artist.