Harmony In Collision:A Study Of Gender Relations In The Country Of The Pointed Firs

Since the publication of The Country of the Pointed Firs, Sarah Orne Jewett (1849-1909) has obtained a consistent place in the American literary canon. Her vivid and truthful depiction of Dunnet Landing reflects the life in Maine seacoast. Whenever American regionalism is mentioned, Jewett will be on the list. In her works, she expresses her resentment for industrial revolution, nostalgia for the country life and respect for nature. A lot of scholars have studied her works from these three respects. This thesis intends to interpret Jewett's work in the background of social situation, and eliminate the male-and heterosexual-dominated literary criticisms to explore the gender relations.This thesis consists of three chapters. The introduction reviews previous studies in the field, and tries to give readers clear clues about the recent study trend. In chapter one, romantic relationship between man and woman will be demonstrated. The author will divide the love and marriage in this work into three different types. In chapter two, the intimate relation between women will be expounded. Although there are no definite and concrete homosexual descriptions in the novel, careful readers still can find some subtle clues about the love between the narrator and Mrs. Todd. Jewett's former letters and previous works have provided some evidence for us to make use of. Chapter three is about the sisterhood in the female community. This is a woman-centered utopia, where women are supportive, cooperated and self-sacrifice. The author will present the sisterhood in the following three aspects:women-centered utopia, edged and marginal position of men and the community's limitations. There's no doubt for us to realize the gender ambiguity in the novel. Jewett breaks the traditional definition of two genders, and her characters are presented as androgyny. After the elaborate analysis of the living conditions in the community, their rituals and ceremonies, the author will delve into the text to reveal the gender relations.As the best work of Jewett, The Country of the Pointed Firs reflects her opinions about ideal gender relations. She turns towards female subjectivity as a narrative of recognition and appeals egalitarian relations between two genders. As a regional writer, she decides to make the rest of the nation acquainted with the lives and gender relations of a little-known segment of the population. Using the simple and concise daily used language, Jewett successfully demonstrates the profound, touching but pure love and new women who liberate themselves from oppression and control of patriarchy system to look at marriage at the new light. By close reading, the author classifies her romantic relations between two sexes into four categories which reflect Jewett's views about marriage and love. As a female writer, Jewett showed her concern about women's position in the community which is second key point of this research. The author will expose Jewett's ideal gender relations by studying the role play of man and woman in the society and their reciprocal communication. What's more, Jewett broadens the field of romantic love, and demonstrates the intimate love between women which breaks the taboo of that time. This is third important point the author wants to discuss. All in all, The Country of the Pointed Firs provides us a new point of view to consider gender relations and its artistic and social values will continue to attract future readers.