An Interpretation Of Breathing Lessons From The Perspective Of Deconstruction

This thesis, with Derrida’s theory of deconstruction as theoretical framework, interprets three pairs of binary oppositions in Breathing Lessons, endeavoring to uncover the subversion of patriarchal society and the construction of a harmonious environment in the novel.The first chapter focuses on the deconstructive study of the binary opposition of male and female basically from two perspectives. One is gender role and the other is gender relation. For the females in the story subversion does not mean just going against the traditional rules but following their heart and finding out what they really want in life in order to establish a new female identity. And the male ones being passive in romantic relationship is also a sign of subversion. They are not traditional man with extreme manhood but fragile creatures in need of female’s love and care. The second chapter attempts to carry out the deconstructive study of the binary opposition of the white and the black, from the perspectives of being friendly to each other, sharing equal social status and facing same domestic issues. Both of the white and the black are ordinary human beings in face of universal problems in life. The gap between the white and the black are diminished in this way and life is the connection between them. The third chapter is the deconstructive study of the binary opposition of determinism and free will, which also contains two perspectives. The first explores the ambivalence between self and other and the second analyzes the ambivalence between constancy and change. The characters in the novel struggle among these ambivalences but at the same time they attempt to maintain a balance.Through the analysis of three pairs of binary oppositions, this thesis reveals how the novel transcends the hierarchical order constructed by the culture of human society. Transcending or subverting an old order is not equal to its reversal, which may result in total denial or hostility but to build up a harmonious environment in which understanding and mutual respect come as first priority.