Sex and Gender Role

“Her leg seemed to be bothering her, and she seldom spoke” (69) – Although Molly was badly injured when her leg was broken by a security guard, she hides her pain in order to avoid looking vulnerable in front of Case. She defies the gender norms, the typical weak girl or “damsel in distress”.

“There were dark circles under her eyes, but even with the cast on, it was like watching a dance. No wasted motion” (82) – Molly has not healed yet, but as soon as she receives order from Armitage she wastes no time and gets going. She is strong-willed.

“You particularly must take care. In Turkey there is disapproval of women who sport such modifications” (85) – Terzibashjian disapproves of Molly's implants because this rebellious act does not fit in with the behavior of women in Turkey. This implies that women are not equal or seen in the same light as men in the Turkish culture. They are considered the lower class.

“'In Turkey, women are still women. This one...” (87). Again, Terzibashjian comments and stresses his disapproval in Molly because she does not follow the norms of a typical woman in Turkey.

“The blond man, whole again, unbloodied, lay at his feet. Molly stepped out of the shadows, all in black, with her fletcher in her hand” (89). While everyone else was distracted by Riviera's hallucination, Molly saw through it and shot Riviera. Molly, a woman, plays the hero.

“'Run into you again and I'll kill you,' she said to the white face behind the tinted windows” (90) – Molly puts up an aggressive front and takes charge. She is not easily intimidated by other powerful men and is not afraid to threaten them and face their wrath.

“'It was sort of a private whorehouse for the King'” (90) – We continue to see women play the role of the lower class in Turkey, as many were whores for the King. These women are perceived negatively as ones who have no purpose but to entertain the King with their feminine wiles.

“Molly leaned across him and slapped Riviera's face, once. 'No, baby. No games. You play that subliminal shit around me, I'll hurt you real bad” (100) – In this scene, Molly lets Riviera know that she is the one in charge. She continues to be viewed as a tough woman who will not let anyone mess around with her.

“Beyond them, at another table, three Japanese wives in Hiroshima sackcloth awaited sarariman husbands...” (124) – Women play the typical role of a housewife as their husband go out to earn money for the family in the Japanese culture. Sararimans' lives revolve around work and work over time on a daily basis.

“'Give it to him,' Armitage said...'Get going, Case'” (125) – the “big” boss, the one who exercises and controls power and does not actually do any physical work himself, is always a male.