Dolly Parton, Gender, and Country Music

The Foreword Indies Gold Medal Winner that “analyzes Dolly Parton as a performance art project designed to subvert gender and class expectations” ( Shondaland ). 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,