A Research On Feminism In Possession

Feminism is not merely a political movement, but also one of the major issuesconcerned by English and American literature, in which the development of feminism isconsiderably reflected. A. S. Byatt, a well-known British novelist, in1990published hernovel Possession, which was regarded as a great success. One of the major themes ofPossession is feminism. Byatt presented the feature and development of feminism withthe exploration and study of the romance between LaMotte and Ash in the Victorianperiod by Maud and Roland in the late20thcentury. The heroines in Possession all showfeminist awareness or feminist thought by seeking women’s identity through action,finding a way out to coexist with men and realizing their value by getting professionalopportunity.The success of Possession has drawn great academic attention from home andabroad. Many study the book as a historical novel, a neo-Victorian fiction, or a materialof textual analysis, writing style, feminist theme, etc.This paper makes a comparison between the romance in the Victorian period and thelove story in the late20thcentury in order to make an exploration into the development offeminism in female identity, the relationship between men and women, and women’sprofession. LaMotte, Ellen and Blanche in the Victorian period make great efforts andbig sacrifices for independent and free women’s identity; either bravely go for love yetthen retreat into loneliness or escape from the cruel reality and choose to live in lies andregret; have a strong will and clear mind in profession but end up killing time withoutwriting. Maud, Val and Leonora in the late20thcentury pursue free and independentwomen’s identity with bravery and confidence; break out of the fear and disgust aboutmen to embrace a new love or give up depressing reality to seek real happiness; competewith men for equality in profession with great aggression. The paper makes a comparisonbetween the two narratives in different ages so as to show with the social advancement,feminism has developed greatly and made a breakthrough in female identity, therelationship between men and women, and women’s profession. Such is the originality ofthe paper.This paper consists of an introduction, the main body and a conclusion. Its maincontents are as follows: The introduction makes a brief summary of the development of feminism, feministapproaches as well as the previous research on Possession, and then points out the greatsignificance of analyzing the novel from the angle of feminist development in femaleidentity, the relationship between men and women, and women’s profession.The main body is made up of three chapters:Chapter One first focuses on one major point in feminism: female identity. First isthe theory of female identity. Women may consider such questions as “Who am I? Howdo men view me as a woman? How to realize self?” which are the big challenges theheroines in Possession like LaMotte, Ellen, Maud, and Val are confronted with. They allencounter the difficult situation as to the issue of female identity because of therestriction and oppression from the patriarchal society. In order to find a way out, theyrealize that they have to fight bravely against patriarchy. The second part of this chapterdemonstrates the comparison in efforts made by the four heroines who are LaMotte andEllen in the Victorian period and Maud and Val in the late20thcentury and the differentresults of their pursuit of female identity. Then the development of feminism in femaleidentity is concluded through the comparison.Chapter Two focuses on the second major point in feminism: the relationshipbetween men and women. First is the theory of the relationship between the two sexes. Itis ideal to reach the harmony between men and women. The second part of this chapterconcentrates on the different ways and choices of dealing with romance and marriage inpatriarchal society of the four ladies who are LaMotte and Ellen in the Victorian periodand Maud and Val in the late20thcentury. Then the development of feminism in therelationship between men and women is demonstrated.Chapter Three concerns another major point in feminism: women’s profession. First,there is an introduction to the theory of women’ profession. Women demand equal payfor equal work. The second part of this chapter discusses the different choices anddecisions of the four heroines who are LaMotte and Blanche in the Victorian period andMaud and Leonora in the late20thcentury. Then the development of feminism inwomen’s profession is displayed.The last part is conclusion, which makes a summary and points out the main idea ofthis paper. Women in Possession are in great trouble in patriarchal society in different times, but they never surrender or give up, and choose to fight against patriarchy forequal rights with men instead. But due to the different situations of different ages, theconsequences of the struggles in the Victorian period and the late20thcentury are of greatdifference. Thus the conclusion can be drawn that in patriarchal society women indifferent times keep fighting for the recognition of women’s identity, the harmoniousrelationship with men and the equal opportunity for women’s profession. With the changeof times and advancement of society, women have been transformed from the role of“Other” into the subject instead of the object; women have broken away from patriarchaldomination and oppression and realized a harmonious and cooperative relationship withmen; women used to be denied the right to work and now they can strive for theopportunity for employment and devote themselves to their career with achievements.Thus, the more feminist awareness women have, the more successful the feministstruggle will become, and the more developed feminism will be.This research has great practical significance: the comparison between the tworomances demonstrates that women are not born “Other”, and with the socialadvancement and women’s awareness, women will regain their female identity and theentire human rights instead; women should be regarded as men’s “friends” in harmonywith men instead of “rivals” discriminated by men; women are not naturally inferior tomen, and they are expected to offered equal opportunity for work to fulfill their valueinstead. The development of feminism in female identity, the relationship between menand women and women’s profession in Possession may encourage women today to makemore efforts to fulfill their dream and make more progress and will promote women’sdevelopment in the future.