On Female Identity In Wendy Wasserstein’s Plays

According to Judith Kegan Gardiner, a feminist scholar, female identity is a fluid process in which females, the same as males, have to go through different phases in order to achieve a stable self-concept, and furthermore, to establish a self-identity. Among all the phases, social roles, group identification and identity crisis are three crucial ones in the development of female identity. Regarded as the spokeswoman who discloses women’s identity crisis, Wendy Wasserstein appears to be one of the most renowned women playwrights in contemporary America dramatic circle. Her heroines deal with the complicated interpersonal relationship around them, and go through certain phases on the way of seeking self-identity. Based on a textual analysis, this thesis will explore in detail the female identity problems in Wasserstein’s three plays.To begin with, the thesis expounds its theoretic framework, within which a critical reading of Gardiner’s theory of female identity and Wasserstein’s feminism are exercised. Then, it centers on the discussion of the main female characters in Wasserstein’s two renowned plays:The Heidi Chronicles and The Sisters Rosensweig from the perspective of social roles in Gardiner’s theory, trying to investigate how Wasserstein’s elite heroines struggle in the choice of social roles under the influence of male characters. Moreover, the thesis continues to explore two plays mentioned above on the ground of group identification with Gardiner’s theory, and analyzes the connections between women characters and female group identification. Last but not least, the thesis focuses on Wasserstein’s political play An American Daughter under the guidance of identity crisis concept in Gardiner’s theory, interprets multiple crises that the heroine encounters in the political field as well as the connection between female identity construction and politics, and reveals how the heroine fights for political power under pressure, and attempts to reconstruct her identity.Wendy Wasserstein penetrates in women’s life and gives priority to their unstable identities. She explores females’predicament from the perspective of an observer. Although Wasserstein does not propose any solution to the problematic female identity, she dramatizes a group of women who are featured with a strong sense of autonomy and fighting spirit. It can be concluded that Wasserstein holds a positive attitude toward stabilizing female identity, and has great confidence in the bright future for females.