She... applied makeup, enough to have made an effort, not enough to be blatantly a woman

She... applied makeup, enough to have made an effort, not enough to be blatantly a woman

In the world of Kate Atkinson's novels, the characters are often complex and multi-dimensional, defying traditional gender norms and expectations. This quote, "She... applied makeup, enough to have made an effort, not enough to be blatantly a woman," perfectly encapsulates the nuanced portrayal of femininity in Atkinson's work.

Atkinson's female characters are not defined by their appearance or adherence to societal standards of beauty. Instead, they are fully realized individuals with their own desires, flaws, and complexities. In the case of the character described in this quote, she is someone who is conscious of her appearance and makes an effort to present herself in a certain way, but she does so on her own terms. She is not conforming to anyone else's idea of what it means to be a woman, but rather expressing her own unique identity.

The use of makeup as a symbol in this quote is particularly powerful. Makeup is often associated with femininity and the performance of gender, but in Atkinson's world, it becomes a tool for self-expression and empowerment. By applying just enough makeup to "make an effort," the character is signaling that she cares about her appearance and how she presents herself to the world. However, by not going overboard and being "blatantly a woman," she is also asserting her independence and rejecting the idea that femininity is synonymous with superficiality or weakness.

This quote also speaks to the larger themes of identity and agency that run throughout Atkinson's work. Her characters are constantly grappling with questions of who they are and how they fit into the world around them. By choosing to apply makeup in a way that is both deliberate and subtle, the character in this quote is asserting her autonomy and asserting her right to define herself on her own terms.