‘Muscle Mystique’ by Barbara Kingslover, Article Review Example

Strength is the central theme in Barbara Kingslover’s essay, ‘The Muscle Mystique.’ The author creates a protagonist who joins a health club and devotes much of her time to exercise in the name of power.

“The babysitter surely thought I was having an affair,” begins the main character’s account of her life as a woman striving to find her own path in the world. Close family members and friends thought her obsession with the gym was for vain purposes, but the central character clearly tells the reader that a thirst for independence is what motivates her to reach higher heights in fitness.

Throughout the story, one can identify with the main character’s desire to be her own woman. From her life as a mother who does little without her family beside her, to younger years as a girl who was not the most sought after in high school, the audience can understand the central character’s desire to have something noteworthy in life that is all her own.

It is this empathy that fuels the story along. While many suburbia stories address the concept of housewives and stay-at-home moms being smothered by family obligations, few use something as simple as exercise to convey the idea of independence. Through Barbara’s character, readers see the problem and explore the solution.

Like Kinglover, I believe that suburbia mothers should have liberality to be themselves. While many responsibilities are attached to parenthood, there must be a balance between family and individualism. Such balance was found in exercise for Kingslover’s character.