, offstage, where subordinates may gather outside the intimidating gaze of power, a sharply dissonant political culture is possible. Slaves in the relative safety of their quarters can speak the words of anger, revenge, self-assertion that they must normally choke back when in the presence of the masters and mistresses (515).It is often difficult to maintain the image that the public transcript holds; therefore, a hidden text is necessary. This transcript becomes a sacred and treasured state for the men of the Citadel. Because this shelter that the cadets have created is so valued, a fear of outsiders sets in. A hidden transcript is only maintained among the subordinate members. If outsiders are allowed in, their hidden transcript and refuge is violated. This is why many cadets at the Citadel are brutal toward women. With the treat of female cadets entering the school, many of the male cadets were faced with the realization that their sanctuary could be exposed. This fear results in anger, harassment, and violence. Faludi’s essay accounts for the harassment placed on Shannon Faulkner, the first woman admitted into the Citadel. Cadets expressed their fear and opposition by performing such acts as vandalizing her home. In an effort to preserve the status of their concealed transcript, the cadets stated:“Studies show—I can’t cite them but studies show that males learn better when females aren’t there. If a girl was here, I’d be concerned not to look foolish. If you’re a shy student, you wont be as inhibited” Another cadet said, “You don’t have to impress them here. Your free.” From a third: “She would be destroying a long and proud tradition.” (278)Although these reasons may be logical, they appear to be desperate excuses against the entry of Shannon Faulkner. In an educational institution such as the Citadel, the gender of its students will have n...
