The New Women In Margaret Drabble's Works

Margaret Drabble is a key figure in British Literature circle. After establishing a worldwide fame through the publication of her first novel—A Summer Bird-Cage, Drabble's continuous writing and fruitful achievements have secured her position in the literary field. Hitherto, Drabble has published seventeen novels, ten short stories, four plays, six books of criticism, five editions and innumerable articles to her credit. Maturing during the second wave of feminist movement, Drabble surely is more or less influenced by feminism. Drabble's works show great concern for women's, especially intellectual women's fate and circumstances in the male-dominated society. She never ceases to write about women's worries and dilemmas, their bitter struggle for self-identity and self-fulfillment, their suppressed status and promising future, in an effort to find an ideal way of life for contemporary women.Although western critics have appreciated Drabble and her works from various perspectives, few materials are available and little research has been carried out on her in China. Therefore, by employing the feminist theories, especially those of Simone de Beauvoir's and the methodology of text analysis, this thesis is going to cast a new angle of view on Drabble's two early major novels—A Summer Bird-Cage and The Millstone, attempting to probe into the characteristics, especially the New Woman traits embodied in the three main protagonists in these two novels, to point out that they are three new women who possess the resilient spirit and determination to seek their new selves and social status in the bondage of the male-dominated society.Drabble has recorded the conflicting sensibilities of the newly liberated, intellectual women in the course of searching for the self-identity and place in the patriarchal society. Her descriptions of the courageous, independent women will always encourage women all over the world to struggle on for their self-fulfillment.Besides the introduction and the conclusion, this thesis falls into three chapters.The introduction mainly includes a brief introduction to Margaret Drabble and her literary accomplishments, the literature review and a general introduction of the feminist literary theories proposed by Simone de Beauvoir and the definition of New Woman given by critics and sociologists.Chapter One is devoted to the objective study of the protagonist Sarah in A Summer Bird-Cage from two aspects. Sarah is a young intellectual, who has a strong female consciousness. She rejects the roles thrust upon women by the patriarchal society and thirsts for her independence and self-autonomy. Through the objective and sober observation of other people's lives in her community, Sarah courageously makes her own decision and takes control of her own destiny. Secondly, during the journey of pursuing her own identity and a meaningful life, Sarah goes through several spiritual breakthroughs. Finally, she maintains her independence, freedom and achieves her self-identity in the patriarchal society.Chapter Two goes to analyze the second New Woman character—Louise in A Summer Bird-Cage. Louise is a typical New Woman, who has strong power of action and sense of manipulation. She enjoys taking liberty to do everything and keeps everything under her control regardless of the patriarchal doctrines. In order to preserve her identity and freedom, Louise fearlessly fights against the male chauvinism. She refuses to fulfill her role as the obedient wife, persists in her stance to be independent and free. Finally, Louise successfully regains her freedom through breaking away from the cage of marriage.Chapter Three analyzes the New Woman image—Rosamund in The Millstone from three aspects. The first section mainly analyzes Rosamund's rebellious spirit manifested in her challenge to the traditional concept about sex. The second section examines Rosamund's self-reliant spirit exhibited in her stupendous perseverance and courage in raising her child independently as a single unmarried woman. Shaking off the oppression and confinement thrust upon woman by the male-dominated society, Rosamund achieves her economic and spiritual independence and freedom. The last section of this chapter examines the transformation of Rosamund from a rebellious, unworldly intellectual to a mature, competent mother in the painstaking process of childbearing and childrearing. Finally, Rosamund finds her true self and accomplishes her self-fulfillment.Based on the above analysis, this thesis comes to the conclusion that Margaret Drabble successfully presents us three emancipating New Woman characters, who challenge and subvert the patriarchal dogmas, and pursue their own independence and self-fulfillment. At the same time, these New Women characters explore a practicable way out for the contemporary women to realize their self-fulfillment and achieve their own happiness.