Pursuit Of Independence:An Analysis Of Downton Abbey From The Perspective Of Feminism

Since Downton Abbey is released,it has been very popular.Itgives a view on the aristocratic Crawleys’ and servants’ lives in British society at that time.It also spe aks highly of women’s pursuit of equality and self values.This thesis is to analyze how female characters pursue their own independ ence and freedom through criticizing the patriarchy in Downton Abbey.The main body of this thesis is consisted of three chapters.The first chapter is about the expansion of fe male activities.They gr adually get away from boring dom estic life around husbands and children.They take jobs to be m ore useful.And they start or continue their education for better lives.The second chapter is about the development of female subject consciousness.Females are lacking of subject consciousness before the war because the patriarchal domination is so strong and overwhelming.As WWI breaks out,women replace men in production areas.T hey realize that they are not inferio r to men any loner and could do everything if they are determ ined.The war ’s end do not stop women’s willing to achieve their indepe ndence.The third chapter is about three typical female characters: Mary Crawley,Sarah Bunting and Edith Crawley.They are very outstanding in their ow n fields to challenge m ale discourse.Mary m anages Downton estates with her f ather on equal po sition,and they decid e estates affairs together.She changes from a girl listens to her father everything to a mature woman has her own ideas.Sarah Bunting the school teacher likes to speak out her own opinions and argue with different ones.She is also very keen on politics.Edith Crawley who feels the unfair of British women’s vote bill,star ts to write on a newspaper in f emale’s unique tones and p ositions.She bravely b reaks the singular m ale discourse and m akes the world listen to them.