An Ecofeminist Reading Of Jean Rhys's Wide Sargasso Sea

Wide Sargasso Sea, Jean Rhys's masterpiece, has attracted large quantities of criticism. Numerous critics have approached this novel from variant perspectives by applying such different theories of literature criticism as feminism, post-colonialism and cultural studies. Based upon the previous interpretations, this thesis attempts to prove Jean Rhys's ecofeminist awareness in the process of creation by taking into consideration the dual construction of cultural, racial and sexual relations in the novel.This thesis consists of five chapters. Chapter One is a brief introduction to the novelist, her works and literature review of Wide Sargasso Sea. The second chapter deals with the theory of ecofeminism. Chapter Three is devoted to the study of the construction of the oppressive conceptual framework of patriarchy, while in Chapter Four, the analytical focus is the dismantling of the patriarchal oppression in the novel. Chapter 5 concludes with a further discussion of Jean Rhys's ecofeminst awareness with reference to her creative intention and personal experience.