Struggle In Vain

Gender theory is based on the introspection and reflection on the history of feminist criticism. According to gender theory gender is a socially constructed means of assigning characteristics to sex categories. Gender theory focuses on the study of the relationships between male and female. Gender division﹑ power relationships and harmonious relationship between male and female among gender theory will be used in this paper. Gender division deprived Edna's freedom of choice, she lives only according to the male norm. Because of gender difference, power relationships between male and female are shaped. Before power woman is always in passive position. Meanwhile, because of the existence of gender division and power relationships the harmonious relationship between male and female is only a dream that can not be achieved. Edna's tragedy is the typical one of the patriarchal society in the nineteenth century. So Edna's struggle is in vain.