Dolly Parton Gender and Country Music

Dolly Parton is instantly recognizable for her iconic style and persona but how did she create her enduring image? Dolly crafted her exaggerated appearance and stage personality by combining two opposing stereotypes―the innocent mountain girl and the voluptuous sex symbol. Emerging through her lyrics personal stories stage presence and visual imagery these wildly different gender tropes form a central part of Dollys media image and portrayal of herself as a star and celebrity. By developing a multilayered image and persona Dolly both critiques representations of femininity in country music and attracts a diverse fan base ranging from country and pop music fans to feminists and gay rights advocates. In Dolly Parton Gender and Country Music Leigh H. Edwards explores Dollys roles as musician actor author philanthropist and entrepreneur to show how Dollys gender subversion highlights the challenges that can be found even in the most seemingly traditional form of American popular music. As Dolly depicts herself as simultaneously real and fake she offers new perspectives on country musics claims of authenticity.