Gender Identity Of Lesbians In Sarah Waters’ Tipping The Velvet And Fingersmith

Through the comparative analysis of Sarah Waters’ Tipping the Velvet and Fingersmith by applying Simon Beauvoir’s “the Other” theory and Judith Butler’s gender performativity theory, this thesis tries to figure out a feasible way for lesbians in the Victorian era to reconstruct their gender identity. The study first reveals a different Britain in the Victorian era by demonstrating the hidden groups of lesbians and presents the oppressions and predicaments facing the lesbian characters in the novels. It also explores the experience and attempts of lesbian characters in seeking their gender identity through the application of Judith Butler’s performativity theory.Due to the instability and vagueness of gender and the discontinuity of sex, gender and desire, it analyzes how lesbian characters’ distorted gender identities are forcedly constructed and dig on the possibility of overthrowing their existing gender identity under heterosexual rules and reconstructing their true gender identity through performance. A conclusion therefore is drawn that through breaking imprisonment of the patriarchal culture and performing their real gender desires,lesbians can reconstruct their gender identities and obtain freedom.