Jenny Fields is a fictional character and accidental feminist icon from John Irving’s 1978 novel The World According to Garp . Known for her fierce independence and non-conformity, she serves as the mother of the protagonist, T.S. Garp. Character Overview and History
: Because of her fame, her home became a sanctuary for "female strays," including the Ellen Jamesians—a radical group of women who cut out their tongues in protest of a horrific crime. jenny fields
Jenny Fields embodies a specific, pragmatic form of feminism centered on individual autonomy. Jenny Fields is a fictional character and accidental
Jenny is a "lone wolf" who rejects traditional societal expectations of women. Character Overview and History : Because of her
: Determined to have a child without the "bother of a husband," Jenny conceived Garp by having sex with a dying, brain-injured soldier known only as Technical Sergeant (T.S.) Garp.
: Born into a wealthy family, Jenny dropped out of Wellesley College after realizing her parents only sent her there to find a "well-bred" husband. She chose to become a nurse , a profession she valued for its practical utility and "no-nonsense" uniform.