The Search For The Female Self In Mudwoman By Joyce Carol Oates

This thesis discusses the female identities of M.R. in Mudwoman by the renowned American writer Joyce Carol Oates, with the application of theories in feminism and psychoanalysis. By analyzing the three stages of M.R.‘s personal growth, this thesis argues that the key to the relief of basic anxiety and the liberation of women resides in the construction of woman‘s identity in reference to woman‘s own parameters and the successful establishment of female subjectivity. Through analyzing M.R.‘s childhood experience, the thesis discovers that the motivation of M.R.‘s self-searching stems from her basic anxiety, a Horneyan concept, resulting from the patriarchal oppression. The construction, deconstruction and reconstruction of M.R.‘s identities are expected to relieve the basic anxiety. In her early stage of life, M.R. identifies herself with a traditional patriarchal woman, yet failing to remove her basic anxiety. As a signature of subversion, M.R. identifies herself as a man-like woman in her young adulthood. But her basic anxiety still remains. Both of the identities are constructed by the patriarchal parameters. M.R.‘s subjectivity is thus still in absence, and therefore the patriarchal oppression continues. In her middle age, M.R. emphasizes woman‘s own parameters and identifies herself with a woman who celebrates independence, pursues a relationship of mutual respect with man, expresses her female desires and re-establishes the mother-daughter relationship. Eventually, M.R. achieves her subjectivity, resolves her basic anxiety and attains liberation.