Reconstruction Of Gender Norms In Carson McCullers’s Works From The Perspective Of Gender Theory

Carson McCullers(1917-1967)is a well-known American writer.Reflections in a Golden Eye(1941),The Member of the Wedding(1946)and Clock Without Hands(1961)are three of her novels that have the unique charms,and thus the interpretation of these novels is of special significance to deepen the understanding of her writings.Many scholars have analyzed and studied McCullers’s works from different perspectives.On the basis of gender theory,Jonathan Culler’s deconstruction theory,and androgyny thoughts,this thesis seeks to expound the concepts of gender norms,androgyny and other related terms and then explores the implied elements of subverting traditional gender beliefs in McCullers’s three works.Furthermore,this thesis not only introduces some significant gender thoughts reflected in these novels,but also reveals the writer’s criticism of patriarchy and heterosexism,so as to infer that McCullers tends to advocate the establishment of relatively open and inclusive gender norms.The beginning chapter makes an illustration of traditional gender norms,concluding the embodiment of traditional gender norms as well as the criticism of these norms.To discuss the feasibility of reshaping gender norms,this chapter aims to make criticism on two pairs of binary oppositions,including the binary opposition between man and woman and the binary opposition between heterosexuality and homosexuality.Combining with the context of the three novels,chapter two explores the reconstruction of gender and reveals both androgynous and rebellious characters’ social roles.The depiction of their roles contradicts the requirements of traditional gender norms and conventional wisdom.The description of the sexual orientation’s reconstruction and the characters’sexual relationship is the main talking points of the chapter three.Besides,the author tries to discuss the unique characters in McCullers’s works by appreciating the three novels from the perspective of gender theory.Conducting a deep reading of the three novels of McCullers,the author holds that these three works powerfully challenge the accepted,stereotypical and normative sex,gender and sexuality.By interpreting the description of gender issues and topics in these three novels,this thesis points out that McCullers advocates deconstructing traditional gender norms and criticizing patriarchal ism and heterosexualism.Furthermore,McCullers desircs to find some living space for gender minorities that are not accepted by traditional gender norms,and further indicates that in addition to the mainstream gender and sexual orientation,other genders and sexual orientations should also be respected and accepted by people.