Power and privilege displayed in A Woman on a RoofIn Doris Lessing's "A Woman on a Roof", three workers react differently to a woman sunbathing on roof. The men are Harry, in his forties, Stanley, who has just married, and Tom, who is 17 years old. They are engaged in jovial banter when they see a woman about fifty yards from where they are. She is on her back, face down, on a brown blanket. Stanley is the first to comment: "She's completely naked." Harry agrees, "It looks like it," while Tom cranes his neck so he can see more and replies, "She thinks no one can see." Stanley whistles, but the woman doesn't look up. She is sitting and smoking a cigarette (856). This seems to be one of Lessing's most overlooked stories. In fact, there are only a few reviews written about it, and most focus on the different reactions of the three workers. However, the woman, who is not named in the story, is also a very intriguing and interesting character. While many readers see her as an innocent—a sunbather who only wants to be left alone—there is evidence that she uses her sexuality through nonverbal communication to show her power and privilege. Sociological perspectives suggest that nonverbal communication is of particular importance to women. because their socialization toward docility and passivity makes them likely targets for social control. Sexuality (masculinity or femininity) is not biologically determined but is part of social learning. In “Womanspeak and Manspeak,” Nancy Henley, Mykol Hamilton, and Barrie Thorne argued that women's general bodily behavior should be restrained and restricted, and that their femininity is measured by how little (personal) space they occupy. On the other hand...... middle of paper ......Henslin, James. “Become a man.” Down to earth sociology. Ed. James Henslin. New York: The Free Press, 1991. 126-148. Lessing, Doris. “A woman on a roof.” The Harper Anthology of Fiction. Ed. Sylvain Barnett. New York: Harper Collins, 1991. 856-862. Works consulted Allen, Orphia Jane. “Structure and Motif in Doris Lessing’s A Man and Two Women.” Review of a short story. Ed. Thomas Votteler. NY: Gale Research Inc., 1986. 199. Fitzgerald, Edward. “Retreat from home.” Review of a short story. Ed. Thomas Votteler. New York: Gale Research Inc., 1986. 186. Hardin, Nancy. “Doris Lessing and the Sufi Way”. Review of a short story. Ed. Carolyn Riley. New York: Gale Research Inc., 1976. 123. Zak, Michele. “The grass sings: a short novel about emotions.” Review of a short story. Ed. Thomas Votteler. New York: Gale Research Inc..., 1986. 206.