Construction Of Female Subjectivity:Body Politics In J.M. Coetzee’s Novels

The research on female subjectivity in the works by 2003 Nobel Laureate J.M.Coetzee has been a focus of Coetzee ’ s researchers.In recent years,previous studies at home and abroad have mainly addressed the construction of female subjectivity from the macro feminist perspective,but few have explored the micro level of body politics.Therefore,starting from Foucault’s body politics,taking Coetzee’s three novels In the Heart of the Country,Waiting for the Barbarians and Disgrace as the study object,this thesis aims to explore the significance of body politics to the construction of female subjectivity in Coetzee’s novels.The thesis is composed of three parts,including introduction,main body and conclusion.The introduction includes the research background,literature review,methodology and research questions.Foucault ’ s body politic theory as the research basis of this thesis and feminist theoretical concepts and claims related to the construction of female subjectivity with the body are mainly introduced in methodology.The main body is constituted in three parts.Chapter one concentrates on the absence of female subjectivity in Coetzee’s three novels from the perspective of the oppression of female body,trying to reveal that Coetzee depicts body violence and body control to present the oppression and discipline imposed on the female body by the colonialism and patriarchy.This chapter points out that the female body inevitably leads to its alienation under the operation of various layers of power,and the female subjectivity is thus in a state of absence.Chapter two concentrates on the awakening of female subjectivity in Coetzee ’ s three novels from the perspective of the resistance of female body,trying to reveal that Coetzee endows the female body with the initiative of resistance for the female body is not only the object of discipline and oppression,but also the powerful weapon of resistance to power.This chapter points out that female characters take the body as the medium,through various resistance strategies such as the silence of female body,the madness of female as well as the rejection of the male gaze,demonstrating the awakening of female subjectivity.Chapter three concentrates on the generating of female subjectivity in Coetzee’s three novels from the perspective of the liberation of female body,trying to reveal that Coetzee endows the female body with cultural and political connotations and regards it as a symbol in the female liberation.This chapter points out that female characters take the body as the usurping tool,through various liberation strategies such as the catharsis of sexual desire,writing the female self as well as the pursuit of harmonious relationships,advancing the generating of female subjectivity.It is concluded that Coetzee focuses on the female body,which is an effective field for the construction of female subjectivity in his works,and in the investigation of the construction of female subjectivity,Coetzee resorts to the body politics.The construction of female subjectivity in Coetzee’s works goes through three stages: absence,awakening,and generation.The process of oppression,resistance,and liberation with the representation of body uncovers Coetzee’s hope of female liberation,gender dialogue and national reconciliation through the female body.