A Feminist Reading in Selected Novels: a Comparative Analysis.
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2020-05
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The aim of the study is to comparatively analyze the societal representation of women in England in the 19th and 20thThe novels Emma and Persuasion by Austen deal with the position of women and their social expectations most of which are related to marriage. The protagonists of these novels represent a unique response to those expectations which are the products of their way of thinking. Jane Austen artistically reveals various gender discriminations in economics, education, marriage and religion. As to Austen expressed through her characters, gender discrimination happens because people think that men are better than women. The researcher’s intention, real aim of Austen is then to reduce gender discrimination through education and change the ways that people think about gender roles. century. The method of the study is textual, contextual descriptive comparative analysis. The study reveals the patriarchal assumptions on women, the extent of women stereotypes and subjectivity and the women’s’ selfhood in exercising agency against the males’ suppressive action on females. The researcher employs theories of Julia Kristeva and Toril Moi, post-structuralism literary feminism as analysis framework.
In the novel, Women in Love the study analyses the composition of will to power between women and men characters. This thesis analyses the characters Gudrun and Gerald and their concept and competition of the will to power. The relationship between the characters in Women in Love basically portrays their significance, the will to power and the conflicts arising from dominating one another. It also considers women’s wise struggle to challenge the traditional male characters in their treatment of gender equality and their social status as a source of power and authority.
Sons and Lovers first published in 1913 is Lawrence’s first most important novel which receives praise. The novel depicts the story of the Morel family, Mrs. Morel, in particular of Paul Morel. The story focuses on the problem of human relationships, chiefly relations between men and women, children and parents. The analysis focuses on how gender and sexuality become a central issue in the twentieth century’s society, and it reflects Lawrence’s attitude towards them.
Finally the study concludes on the type of women’s advocacy on marriage through love and respect between husband and wife. The direct and indirect women’s agency in Persuasion, furthermore, male characters’ sexual ineffectiveness forced by women characters and the will to power which occurs between the men and women characters which are mainly reflected in Women in Love. This all are happened backed by females’ education and their economic independence
Description
Keywords
societal representation of women