A Study Of Elaine’s Identity Construction In Cat’s Eye From The Perspective Of Sartian Existentialism

The novel Cat’s Eye takes “cat?s eye” as the symbol of prejudices. It describes how Elaine, the protagonist of the novel, frees herself from the mutual-bias that is imposed by her and others and finally reconstructs her identity.This thesis aims to analyze Elaine?s identity construction process in Cat’s Eye from the perspective of Sartrian Existentialism. In the novel, Elaine accepts the logic that essence precedes existence at first and loses her identity when she confronts the essence imposed by others. Then, she applies this logic to build her wills into others and attempts to construct her subjectivity on the collapse of others? subjectivities;However, under the guide of the preset principle, she neglects the subjectivity of others and becomes the hell of them. Finally, she realizes that both others and she are victims of the established principle after self-examination. While forgiving others, she accomplishes her identity construction. Elaine?s experience shows that the building of one?s identity should not be restricted by others? wishes. People should place existence before essence and perfect their subjectivity on the base of mutual respects and understanding.The thesis consists of five parts: Chapter One includes a short introduction to Margret Atwood and her works, literature review, theoretical framework and thesis structure. Chapter Two discusses that Elaine falls into an absurd world after losing her subjectivity under the gaze of both the female and the male. Chapter Three shows that Elaine becomes the hell of others by depriving them of their subjectivities. In Chapter Four, Elaine realizes that the existence of people is preceding their essence and begins to look at others with understanding. Finally, she builds her identity. Chapter Five concludes the above-analyzed parts and the researching methods, findings, results and significance of the thesis.