Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of child sexual abuse, incest, and misogyny.

Both men and women in A Thousand Acres are expected to follow strict gender roles. Men tend to be rewarded for conforming to masculine standards of toughness and authority. Larry is highly respected in town for being a good farmer and a strong father. His daughters—and some townspeople—are afraid and intimidated by him, which allows him to exert power and control over them. After he yells at Ginny and Rose, he decides to go out into the storm, rather than seek shelter. This is a hyper-masculine act and shows Larry’s commitment to his male pride. While Larry is never the same after the storm, in many ways, people have more sympathy for him following it. This implies that he is ultimately rewarded for acting masculine even when it is detrimental to his health.

Rose and Ginny, meanwhile, are repeatedly punished for failing to conform to their community’s expectations of femininity. On the surface, both women are extremely domestic and dedicated to farm life. They care for Larry, always making sure he is fed and has everything he needs. They almost take on a maternal role for Larry.