Part 2 In these paragraphs of this extract, the writer's purpose is to expose gender stereotypes from the perspective of female

dominance by using the role of the sperm and the egg in fertilization to illustrate this point. In contrast to the previous paragraphs, the egg is painted as the superior and powerful partner, so much so that it is referred to as a predatory spider , implying that the sperm is the prey. !he egg is described as having a crucial role and its involvement is depicted as active and aggressive. In fact, it is portrayed as if the egg has sole responsibility in ensuring fertilization occurs successfully and is the coordinator of the entire process as seen with the use of commandeering verbs in active voice associated with the egg such as trap , perform and cementing . "ll in all, it appears everything falls to the egg. !he sperm's input is downplayed in this section ma#ing it much less significant than the egg. $rom the beginning, the sperm is metaphorically represented as a ditherer which is a person who is indecisive in their actions which emphasizes its inferiority and its dependence on the egg's aid. !he only seemingly positive aspect mentioned about the sperm that denotes some sort of power % it's tail that propels it forward at a great force % is put in a negative light coinciding with the futility of the sperm when in isolation as presented. !he passive voice is used when referring to the sperm which reinforces the sperm's lac# of importance and highlights wea#nesses that leave the sperm wiggling ineffectually . It even goes so far as to say that sperm are designed to act in this manner that is considered ineffective thus leaving it all up to the egg to cement the relationship . !he egg's biological institution and characteristics are seen as an asset unli#e with the sperm. !hus sexist perspective may be expressing a feminist mentality and stereotypes that may be present in society % women being seen as active, aggressive and the pioneers behind a tas# and men being incapable and reliant on the woman. Part & In the final parts of this extract the writer reveals a gender perspective of gender neutrality or e'ual partnership still referring to the sperm and the egg. (o one partner is praised over the other nor seen as superior, instead they are perceived as being mutually dependent agents . )oth the sperm and the egg are attributed with the same actions in the active voice showing that they have e'ual roles of e'ual importance. !heir interdependence is exaggerated by the reference to even the minute molecules of the egg and the sperm being e'uivalent in the process. Instead of the sperm and egg being pitted against each other, his perspective reveals that really, they are interacting to achieve a common goal . Perhaps this implies that men and women gender roles in society should be viewed and in reality, is similar to this portrayal of the sperm and egg % one of mutual significance.