Nine

      For the race of the “American dream,” those allowed to compete were men and only few of those would win. Mazie begins to question why girls have no place for their belongings. Her things are usually messed with by her brothers and continues to ask “why dont I have no place,” which is Olsen’s way of stating women had no access or help with the “American dream.”

     Mazie was treated differently from the boys by her family and society. She realizes boys have greater opportunities to get their families “white tablecloths.” Her brothers have the opportunity to travel on ships like her Uncle Ralphie. With being told fireworks and more play time are for boys, Mazie’s comprehension of her place was acknowledged and understood.  

     She understands that her family and society places the female norms on her because she is a girl. During a visit to the library, the librarian automatically gives Will an adventure book and Mazie a fairytale. The librarian is setting and signifying the set rules for females and males. The conditions and rules set on women are hard which makes them resentful and angry towards their counterparts. Mazie gets angry at her father because he makes “vows that life will never let him keep” because society will never allow him to help Mazie have the same rights as her brothers. 

(Listen to the whole song, but pay close attention to indicated lyrics/time)

      Martha Wainright’s “BMFA”  shows the connection between gender and how each gender was treated differently among society. Wainright talks about “poetry is no place for a heart that’s a whore” which connects to the similar idea of how women have no place among the men.  She continues with she feels “overfired” because she has been “poked and stoked.” During Mazie’s time, women gave in to their life styles making them “overfired” and resentful because only men could achieve the “American dream.”

(0:08-0:28)Poetry is no place for a heart that's a whore
And I'm young & I'm strong
But I feel old & tired
Overfired

And I've been poked & stoked
It's all smoke, there's no more fire
Only desire
For you, whoever you are
For you, whoever you are

     The next stanza shows and connects how Mazie had wished she was born a boy because she knows as a boy she would have places for her things and opportunities to achieve the “American dream.” The men in her life all march to a different beat; they are treated differently from Mazie and the women of this era.

(1:40-2:04)Oh I wish I wish I wish I was born a man
So I could learn how to stand up for myself
Like those guys with guitars
I've been watching in bars
Who've been stamping their feet to a different beat
To a different beat
To a different beat