Out of Darkness

All of the female characters in Out of Darkness experience social, physical, and sexual vulnerability. Often beholden to a certain image as single women, and then expected to be subservient to men once they are attached to them during this particular historical period, many characters are trapped by cultural and social parameters. Naomi’s friend Tommie, though she loves her boyfriend Dwayne, is forced to placate him with sexual activity (bar actual intercourse) so he will wait for her to complete high school. Muff, only slightly older than Naomi, has one toddler, a baby, and another on the way when she is introduced, and is expected to cook, clean, and care for the house while her husband Bud works long hours in the oil fields; her only support comes from other women also living in the oil field housing. Miranda Gibbler’s father prevents her from dating the boy she likes, Gil, by interfering with his education and livelihood, and then forcing her to accompany him everywhere so he can keep an eye on her. Miranda is at the apex of social power and influence among her female peers, yet she is denied a fundamental aspect of autonomy in being unable to choose her romantic partner.

Naomi and her mother Estella suffer the most egregious offenses permitted by their sexist system. Henry’s chapters give no indication that he was aware Estella was in distress when he coerced her into sex, but Naomi’s chapters make it clear that Estella would cry when Henry forced himself on her. Naomi finds condoms among Henry’s belongings, and it is known that he and Estella were counseled against Estella getting pregnant again. It can be deduced that Henry was resistant to protection, either due to complaints about personal comfort or because he wanted children of his own. Naomi faces the same fate, with her own grandmother encouraging her to accept Henry.

For Abuelita, Naomi marrying Henry is not only the solution to their lack of resources, but an opportunity for Naomi to maintain influence over the twins’ rearing and safety. It is not suggested that Naomi’s grandparents know Naomi was sexually abused by Henry, but they did care for Estella after her miscarriages and were likely aware of Henry’s treatment of her. As expected of the time period, the female characters—especially those meant to represent poor women without an education—see marriage as a strategic alliance meant to ensure their continued survival. This reliance on men is often “paid for” by keeping the home, birthing and take care of children, and providing for a man’s personal and physical needs. The abuse Naomi suffered by Henry was possible in part because of the disadvantaged position she and her mother occupied.

Naomi is also vulnerable to the perceptions of her community. With vicious gossip, Miranda implies that Naomi is not only physically “dirty,” but promiscuous, and the women of the PTA assume the same attributing this to their perception of people of Mexican descent as unable to control their impulses and desires. The Gang fixate on Naomi, and boys at school claim to have had sexual contact with her. Gil and Wash are the only people, of any gender, who respect Naomi’s sexual autonomy and right to privacy. Even Naomi’s otherwise considerate friends, Tommie and Muff, make assumptions about who she is and what she wants (the most egregious example being their desire to see Naomi and Henry married)—which makes sense considering, they, too, are products of a sexist system that limits women.