Abstract:
This study examines how oneÕs cultural background influences oneÕs reading of gender in short fiction texts. It was undertaken with eight case study subject; four long term- and four short term residents, who were all male ethnic Chinese undergraduates in Western Australia. The subjects read two short stories, then made a written response which examined how they had interpreted the construction of male and female roles in the stories. Consequently, they were interviewed about their perceptions of gender roles in ethnic Chinese culture and how these influenced their interpretations of the male and female characters in the story. The studyÕs findings reveal divergences both in the construction of readings and of gender as a highly marked cultural concept.