A Different Insurgent Of The Dualistic Oppression

Susan Sontag is regarded as one of the most influential thinkers in America during the twentieth century. In America was her last novel and won the 2000 National Book Award for fiction. This historical novel is based on the career of a Poland's renowned actress Helena Modrzejewska. The heroine Maryna Zalezowska (Maryna Zalenska) is an independent female figure with great success. Maryna treats nature friendly and gives her respect to nature; meanwhile, she condemns humans' predatory operation and damage to nature. Living in the patriarchal society, Maryna does not submit to the conquering-conquered sexual relationships, especially the domination and enslavement to women by men. As a woman, Maryna firmly believes in herself and works hard instead of undervaluing her female identity, hence she finally obtains the equal power of discourse belonging exclusively to men so far. Her idea of constructing a harmonious world with nature and a fair and equal sexual relationship coincides with ecofeminism, which criticizes the domination of women by men and their unjustified relationship with women and "other human Others", and the unjustified domination of nonhuman nature in patriarchal society. The ecofeminism aims at deconstructing human/nature and male/female dualism to establish an interdependent world in which nature, men, women and "other human Others" share equal rights. Compared with some female characters with ecofeminist consciousness in certain literary works, Maryna is different. Those women either have a tragic ending or oppressed life that inspires them to struggle against male domination for self-respect and freedom. Different from them, Maryna's life is vibrant in both the material and spiritual. It is her ecofeminist awareness that helps build her own glory.Viewing from the perspective of ecofeminism, this thesis consists of seven parts. Introduction introduces Susan Sontag, her novel In America and its historical background, the purpose of the current research and the structure of the thesis. Chapter One discusses ecofeminist theory and its core concern. Chapter Two focuses on Maryna Zalezowska's ecofeminist awareness, with emphasis on her inner affinity with nature. Chapter Three interprets Maryna's critical attitude towards the oppressive dualism. Chapter Four attempts to justify Maryna's attitude towards white elite domination. Chapter Five centers on the construction of an ecofeminist ethic and a mutual self. Finally comes the conclusion that Maryna's success sets an example in establishing a harmonious world. The traditional dualism has been challenged. In order to establish an interrelated and equal society, the binary oppression of the anthropocentrism and androcentrism should be dissolved.