The paper is separated into three main parts. The first serves as an introduction in which the reader gets an idea about the topic and the paper. The second chapter gives the reader the necessary overview of Pierre Bourdieu's theory of symbolic violence, defines specific terminology, and provides a chronological classification. It serves as a theoretical framework corroborating the methodology, which will be used to sensitize and establish a base for further understanding, especially in the third chapter. The third and last chapter and deals with the analysis of Virginia Woolf’s "Between the Acts", focusing on the previously mentioned theory and the research questions that have arisen. Finally, the results are compiled, the research questions are answered with a conclusion, and the significance of nowadays is clarified.
Table of Contents
1 INTRODUCTION
2 PIERRE BOURDIEU'S THEORY OF SYMBOLIC VIOLENCE
3 SYMBOLIC VIOLENCE IN BETWEEN THE ACTS
3.1 BARTHOLOMEW AND GILES CONSOLIDATION OF MASCULINITY THROUGH SYMBOLIC VIOLENCE
3.2 SYMBOLIC VIOLENCE IN GILES AND ISA'S RELATIONSHIP
4 CONCLUSION
Objectives and Topics
The primary professional objective of this thesis is to examine how symbolic violence is depicted and utilized in Virginia Woolf's novel "Between the Acts". The research focuses on how patriarchal structures and hegemonic masculinity are reinforced through these "hidden mechanisms" of power, as defined by Pierre Bourdieu, with a specific focus on the characters Bartholomew Oliver, Giles Oliver, and their respective relationships.
- Theoretical foundation of Pierre Bourdieu's concept of symbolic violence.
- Critique of patriarchal systems and gender roles in modernist literature.
- Consolidation of masculinity through symbolic violence in the Oliver family.
- Analysis of power imbalances and gender dynamics within the relationship between Giles and Isa.
- The role of the pageant as a reflection of societal norms and history.
Excerpt from the Book
3.2 Symbolic violence in Giles and Isa's relationship
Isa and Giles' relationship is characterised by symbolic violence and fits Pierre Bourdieu's definition of symbolic violence: “Symbolic power is that invisible power which can be exercised only with complicity of those who did not want to know that they are subject to it or even that they themselves exercise it” (cf. Bourdieu, Language and Symbolic Power 164).
On the one hand, Isa feels trapped in her life situation. She is unsatisfied with her gender-governed role as mother, housewife, and wife and is drawn to poetry. However, she always tries to live up to her assigned role and the conventions that go with it and indeed finds herself again and again in her gender-based role, which Virginia Woolf compares through similes and metaphors: “pegged down on a chair arm, like a captive balloon, by a myriad of hair-thin ties to domesticity” (Woolf 14). Her dichotomy between being trapped in the role of housewife and wife and being a free-spirited poet, becomes particularly apparent when she stands in front of the mirror, divided into three parts: wife, housewife, and poet (cf. Woolf 11). The mirror also functions as a tunnel where one can lose oneself, and which serves as an escape. Escape from the gender-structured, visible world – towards profundity, individuality, and unstructured reality. The idea of escape is also very pronounced in Isa. She repeatedly contemplates fleeing and leaving Giles, asking herself, “Have I the courage to go too?” (Woolf 42) and wishing “To fly away, from night and day” (51), but ultimately decides to stay, which is linked to her dependence.
Summary of Chapters
1 INTRODUCTION: This chapter introduces the topic of patriarchal structures and sets the research context by identifying symbolic violence as the central theme for analyzing Virginia Woolf's novel.
2 PIERRE BOURDIEU'S THEORY OF SYMBOLIC VIOLENCE: This section outlines the theoretical framework, defining symbolic violence as an invisible, deeply rooted mechanism of domination that influences gender relations and masculine identity.
3 SYMBOLIC VIOLENCE IN BETWEEN THE ACTS: The main part of the thesis, which investigates how the male characters and their relationships with women are shaped by and maintain hegemonic masculinity through symbolic violence.
3.1 BARTHOLOMEW AND GILES CONSOLIDATION OF MASCULINITY THROUGH SYMBOLIC VIOLENCE: This chapter analyzes how Bartholomew and Giles Oliver use historical references and aggressive behavior to bolster their authority and masculine identity.
3.2 SYMBOLIC VIOLENCE IN GILES AND ISA'S RELATIONSHIP: This chapter explores the power imbalance and internal conflict within the marriage of Giles and Isa, highlighting how symbolic violence creates a cycle of dependency and silence.
4 CONCLUSION: The final chapter summarizes the findings, reiterating that symbolic violence is a complex, deeply embedded structure that necessitates ongoing reflection and action to break.
Keywords
Symbolic violence, Pierre Bourdieu, Virginia Woolf, Between the Acts, Patriarchy, Hegemonic masculinity, Gender roles, Power dynamics, Social domination, Domesticity, Feminism, Literary analysis, Social inequality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this academic work?
The work primarily deals with the application of Pierre Bourdieu’s sociological theory of "symbolic violence" to the literary characters and social structures found in Virginia Woolf's novel "Between the Acts".
What are the central themes discussed?
The central themes include the perpetuation of patriarchal power, the construction of hegemonic masculinity, the influence of historical and social conditioning on gender roles, and the nature of domination within private relationships.
What is the primary research question?
The study aims to determine how characters like Bartholomew and Giles Oliver reinforce their masculinity through symbolic violence, and how this dynamic specifically manifests in the failing relationship between Giles and Isa.
Which scientific methods are employed?
The author uses a qualitative, text-analytical approach, utilizing Bourdieu's sociological framework to perform a close reading of the novel's characters, dialogues, and thematic symbols.
What is the thematic structure of the main body?
The main part of the work is divided into a theoretical overview of Bourdieu's concepts, followed by an analysis of male figures as agents of symbolic violence, and concluding with a detailed examination of marital power dynamics.
Which keywords best characterize the research?
Key terms include symbolic violence, patriarchy, hegemonic masculinity, power dynamics, social conditioning, and the specific novel "Between the Acts".
How does the pageant serve as a tool for symbolic violence in the novel?
The pageant acts as a microcosm of English history and social ritual that reinforces traditional hierarchies and norms, subjecting the characters to the weight of collective identity and deep-rooted societal expectations.
What role does historical context play for the character Bartholomew Oliver?
For Bartholomew, historical context provides the justification for his patriarchal authority; he uses his past and colonial experiences to anchor his current identity and uphold outdated, oppressive gender standards.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Anonym (Autor:in), 2021, Virginia Woolf's "Between the Acts". Symbolic Violence in the Book, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1265779
