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Distortefigures In Patriarchy Society:a Study Of Female And Male Characters In Edith Wharton’s Novels

Posted on:2013-07-18Degree:MasterType:Thesis
Country:ChinaCandidate:X Y LiuFull Text:PDF
GTID:2235330371481773Subject:English Language and Literature
Abstract/Summary:PDF Full Text Request
Edith Wharton is one of the most important female writers in the early20thcentury in American literature. Her The Age of Innocence is the most famous amongher other works. In her novels, she pays close attention to female living conditionsand emotional world. Many critics mostly analyze her works from the perspective offeminist. As a result, Edith Wharton is often regarded as a feminist. However, she notonly shows her concern about female fate but also describes male misery. This thesisattempts to illustrate that female images and male images in Edith Wharton’s TheHouse of Mirth, The Age of Innocence and Ethan Frome are both the victims andslaves of patriarchy.The thesis consists of five parts. The first chapter is a brief introduction of EdithWharton’s life, writing background, current study about her works, and the relevanttheory of Gender Studies. Chapter Two firstly analyzes the common features offemale images and then explains their different destinies. Lily who belongs to themiddle class becomes male accessory. May and Ellen, belonging to the upper class,are the victims of the social system. Zeena and Mattie from the low class have tragicfate. Chapter Three focuses on male destiny. Although they are the governors in themale-dominated society, they are actually invisible slaves in order to defend thepatriarchal system. Selden is a representative of the middle class, poisoned by the“republic of the spirit.” It seems that Newland is the defender of the patriarchy. In fact,he is also a victim due to giving up his true love. Ethan is an absolutely failed personunder the oppressions of poverty and patriarchy. Chapter Four explains the fundamental reasons of distorted females and males. In patriarchy, all the regulationsforce women and men to be in a terrible plight. So both women and men must unitetogether to overthrow patriarchy.The last chapter summarizes the former analysis and points out that patriarchyoppresses both women and men. Women and men should get along with each other inharmony, overcome all difficulties and obstacles. And thus we achieve an ideal livingcondition.
Keywords/Search Tags:Edith Wharton, Patriarchy, masculinity, femininity, Gender Studies
PDF Full Text Request
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