A Study Of The House Of Mirth From The Perspective Of Feminist Narratology

Edith Wharton is one of the representatives of realism movement on the verge of 20 th century in America. In her life, more than 40 works which include novels, stories, poems, travelogues, novel theories and autobiographies are accomplished and it is her novel that wins her the highest reputation. Her novel The House of Mirth came out in 1905 which established her status as one of the famous American novelists. After Mrs. Wharton passed away, her works became obscure even for a time. After the 1960 s, however, her works were rediscovered and quite a few of her novels of manners depicting the New York society has been ranked among the best of realistic literature. The House of Mirth is a social manner novel based on the upper class in New York. Its creating time is in accordance with the time reflected in the novel. The whole novel has two parts, telling how the heroine Lily Bart, who was born in a noble family, fell and finally died. Its publication causes a sensation in the British and American literature and it is praised as the American version of La Comédie humaine. Its sarcasm on the upper class is sharp, merciless and profound.The thesis has analyzed the narrative strategies from the perspective of Feminist Narratology. Because of the social and gender elements, the works of female writers can hardly be accepted by the critics and the readers. It seems impossible to establish the female narrative authority when facing the strong male narrative authority. However, Wharton succeeds in establishing her own narrative strategy under the heavy yolks of male authority and female marginalization. Apparently, in the narration of the novel, Wharton seems to be a spectator who just tells the story objectively. Neither any argument nor emotion is mingled. Thus a seemingly objective, reasonable and non-authoritative narrator is formed. In fact, this narrative method is overt and it’s a strategy for the female narrator to protect herself. So the researchers of Feminist Narratology have to look through the mist of the narrative surface and observe the hidden connection between text, plot and narration techniques, only then can the hidden voice of female narrator be heard and her feminist consciousness be felt. Analyzing The House of Mirth in the approach of Feminist Narratology is a process of deconstructing its narrative strategies, and also a process of rebuilding female consciousness and their discourse authority. We can find the pressure Wharton faces from social and gender aspects and the dangers of losing her voice and identity in the process of narration, and this thesis aims to probe Wharton’s strategies to resist these risks and pressures and dig out the feminist discourse authority behind her narration.This main body of the thesis consists of three chapters. Chapter One is about the characterization of women as central figures. In this chapter, the writer of the thesis reveals the fact that Wharton creates the heroine Lily Bart from the following narrative strategies: environment influence, comparison figures and exposure of inner world, which help Wharton to highlight the self-awareness of women and construct their discourse authority. Chapter Two discusses the female narrative voice from authorial narrative voice, application of free indirect discourse, and effaced authorial commentary words. Chapter Three starts with female narrative point of view, which has to do with zero focalization and internal focalization. To make a brief summary, the main body of the thesis illustrates, from three aspects, how Wharton uses special narrative strategies to tactfully build the female discourse authority, and at the same time to avoid the conflict with male-dominated society. While readers, attracted by her unique narrative techniques and principles of authenticity, are addicted in her highly artistic narration. Therefore, the contribution of The House of Mirth to the literature is huge, and all Wharton’s literary works for the posterity is a precious wealth of literature, which are worth reading carefully, combined with the background of its creation, to excavate their potential literary value.