Internalized Sexism

The novel explores the concept of internalized sexism to show how deeply held preconceptions about women can affect the way women treat one another. Emily is anxious and excited to meet Adam’s mother as soon as she starts dating him. Because cultural associations with the mother-in-law are full of negative stereotypes, Emily goes into the situation full of fear and worry about being liked and approved of: “If I wasn’t already feeling the pressure of needing her to like me, his comment compounded it even further. And God forbid, if I didn’t like her, I already knew I was on my own. I had to make this work for both our sakes” (23).

The internal sexism Emily experiences also filters into their initial meeting and clouds their whole relationship. Once Emily actually meets Pammie, she is aware that something is off between them...