A Is For Alibi

The theme of marriage and gender roles explores the societal expectations and personal experiences of the female characters in the story. It also explores how established norms surrounding marriage and gender influence both the male and female characters’ actions.

The portrayal of Nikki Fife offers insight into the experiences of women navigating 1980s society, which harbors rigid expectations of them, particularly within the institution of marriage. Nikki, who has been imprisoned for the murder of her husband, Laurence, presents a complex figure caught in the labyrinthine constructs of societal expectations and personal desires. Her journey through the narrative, from being accused and imprisoned to seeking the truth behind her husband’s death, exposes the intricacies and complications of marriages steeped in deception and unmet expectations.

On the other hand, Millhone symbolizes a departure from the traditional representations of women during the time. Millhone’s decision to remain unmarried and child-free cast her as a modern, independent woman, providing a counternarrative to the traditional roles often ascribed to women. Her relationship with Charlie underscores the difficulty of her position: By foregoing traditional attachments, every romantic encounter entails entering unknown territory. Charlie’s secretive and “smoldering” (206) nature evokes an ironic tension; amid the elegance, there is an undercurrent of uncertainty, a hint that his polished demeanor might be a facade masking dubious intentions. As Millhone feels drawn to him, she questions the sincerity behind Charlie’s gestures, his seductive but potentially dangerous allure hinting at the interplay of attraction and repulsion that defines their burgeoning relationship. Their meeting in Chapter 19 is both a romantic interlude and a psychological study. It advances their relationship while thickening the air with romantic and investigative tension. All of this serves to further complicate Millhone’s tangled personal and professional life.

As a work of feminism, the novel offers a critique of the broader societal norms that govern female gender roles. The portrayal of various female characters in the story illustrates a spectrum of responses to societal expectations, painting a detailed picture of the complex landscape women navigate in their personal and professional lives. Laurence Fife's first wife, Gwen, portrays a woman who has reclaimed her independence after a stifling marriage, embodying resilience and an acquired wisdom that comes with self-reflection and personal growth. His daughter, Diane, represents a younger generation grappling with the familial complexities and traumas handed down through generations, showcasing the deep-seated emotional repercussions of broken family dynamics on individual lives. In contrast, Arlette, a motel manager met during the investigation, defiantly embraces her body and fights against the societal discrimination of overweight individuals, offering a candid critique of society's narrow standards of beauty. These characters, each at different stages of life, probe into the shifting dynamics of society, especially regarding marriage and the roles women are expected to play within it, offering a mirror to the changing contours of societal expectations and norms.

By introducing diverse female characters, the novel examines the nuanced ways in which marriage and gender roles manifest in individuals’ lives. The richly drawn characters and the circumstances that envelope them serve as a medium to explore the deep-seated norms and evolving perspectives on marriage and female gender roles in society during that period.