Deconstructive Feminism in Selected Fiction

Authors

  • Chona Andal

Keywords:

Deconstructive Feminism, Fiction

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The continuing quest for identity and difference has become the foundation of how women must be viewed as exemplified by more and more modern philosophers and literary critics. There are varying ideals on feminist contexts from the different waves of feminism; a fact that is evident in the different intentions that each period propagates. From recognition of women's rights, to feminism of equality, to feminism of difference of the modern times; it is essential to note that analyzing literary texts embedded in this pursuit may provide further illumination on this seemingly endless probe about the nature of women.

 

METHODS

The study utilized qualitative method that focused on textual analysis where specific approaches such as deconstructive, sociological and feminist lenses to literary criticism served as fundamental tools in analyzing the selected texts. The studied fiction include two novels such as Doris Lessing's The Golden Notebook (1962) and Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale (1985); two short stories by Kerima Polotan-Tuvera namely The Virgin and The Sounds of Sunday, and two films specifically May Concio's Everything About Her (2016)and Erin Brockovich (2000).

 

RESULTS

The analysis of the specific fiction delivered various qualities of the women characters (Anna Wulf, Molly Jacobs, Offred, Aunt Lydia, Miss Mijares, Emma Gorrez, Dr. Vivian S. Rabaya, Jaica Domingo, and Erin Brockovich) such as audacity, rationality, creativity, devotion, genuineness, humility, and social involvement in terms of their strengths; and pride, sentimentalism, submissiveness, discontentment, estrangement, and cruelty as to their weaknesses. Likewise, tracing textual contradictions in the context of the sociological lens as inclined to feminist, cultural, economic, and political perspectives was deemed essential in deconstructing the women characters. The thematic connections gleaned from the studied texts embedded on deconstructive feminism provided platforms for a deeper understanding of the nature of women.

 

DISCUSSIONS

The identified women characters of the selected fiction depict strong characteristics such as audacity, rationality, creativity, devotion, genuineness, humility and social involvement. Invariably, these women characters likewise mirror weak attributes that include pride, sentimentalism, submissiveness, discontentment, estrangement and cruelty.

Published

2019-01-18