A Quest For Self-identity In The Millstone From Feminist Perspective

Margaret Drabble(1939-) was one of the most influential contemporary British writers. She began her literary creation since the 1960 s, and made a name for herself in the literary world. Drabble was best known for her depiction of life in Britain as well as her portrayal of women’s issues in modern society. So far, many excellent novels that reflected women’s heartfelt wishes and explored women’s ideal life had come out. She received many honorary awards for her novels, The Millstone won the John Llewelyn Rhys Memorial Prize in 1966, and Jerusalem the Golden won the James Tait Black Memorial Prize in 1967. Due to her outstanding contributions to English literature, she was awarded the CBE in 1980.This thesis mainly studies the protagonist Rosamund, a modern intellectual woman transforms from a feminist to a female to embark on a journey for self-identity and self-fulfillment, and finally she finds a right path to the full future life for herself.The thesis consists of five chapters as follows:Chapter one gives an account of Drabble’s life experience and literary achievements, also her unique feminist thought. Chapter two depicts Rosamund’s loss of identity when she is a feminist and analyses the reasons why she becomes a feminist. Chapter three analyses the transformation of Rosamund’s identity from a feminist to a female with the turning point of her unexpected pregnancy. Under the influence of Rosamund’s female consciousness and Drabble’s personal experience, Rosamund makes a step towards her quest for self-identity. Chapter four narrates Rosamund’s establishment of self-identity when she is a female. Chapter five summarizes the whole paper and affirms Drabble’s unique feminist perspective, also indicating a direction for the contemporary women who seek for independence and equality to find an ideal way of life.