In this dissertation I will examine the notion of gender performativity within the following literary texts of three famous American authors: Willa Cather's "My Antonia" (1918) and "0 Pioneers!" (1913), Ellen Glasgow's "Virginia" (1913) and "Barren Ground" (1925), and Zora Neale Hurston's "Sweat" (1926) and "Their Eyes Were Watching God" (1937), in this project I will demonstrate how literature shapes, challenge and deconstructs conventional gender norms. These female authors made a significant contribution to American literature in the modern era, particularly by addressing themes of gender roles, social expectations, patriarchy, and female empowerment. Gender identity it is not something fixed, but rather it is culturally and socially constructed that can be performed through repetitive acts and behaviours according to Judith Butler. I will apply gender performativity theory to show how female and male characters in these texts challenge and subvert traditional gender roles, patriarchal orders, and power dynamics of their societies. By doing so, I would argue, the authors question the prevailing gender norms, giving readers an opportunity to explore and understand a different point of view regarding female agency and female empowerment.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Historical and Social Context
- Research Question
- Literature Review
- Theoretical Framework
- Willa Cather: Challenging Social Norms in American West
- Cather's Androgynous Women
- Representing Masculinity: 'Little Men'
- Gender Roles in Marriage and Sexual Dynamics
- Negotiating Gender: Gender Roles in Ellen Glasgow's Virginia and Barren Ground
- Female Characters between Feminine Ideals and the New Woman
- Representing Southern Masculinity
- Gender Roles and Marital Dynamics
- Beyond Tradition: Gender Roles in Hurston's Sweat and Their Eyes Were Watching God
- Black Women and Gender Dynamics
- Representing Black Masculinity
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This dissertation aims to explore the concept of gender performativity in the works of three renowned American authors: Willa Cather, Ellen Glasgow, and Zora Neale Hurston. By analyzing their selected novels, the dissertation seeks to demonstrate how literature shapes, challenges, and deconstructs conventional gender norms.
- Gender performativity as a theoretical lens to examine the construction of gender roles in literature.
- How female characters in these texts challenge and subvert traditional gender roles and patriarchal structures.
- The authors' exploration of female agency and empowerment within the social contexts of their times.
- The portrayal of masculinity and its intersections with gender performativity in the selected works.
- The impact of societal expectations, norms, and power dynamics on the construction of gender identity.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The dissertation begins with an introduction that provides a historical and social context for the study of gender performativity in modern American literature. The introduction also outlines the research question and the theoretical framework employed in the analysis.
Chapter 2 focuses on the works of Willa Cather, specifically "My Antonia" and "O Pioneers!" This chapter examines how Cather's female characters challenge conventional gender roles through their actions and choices, often displaying qualities that are traditionally associated with masculinity. The chapter also explores the representation of masculinity in Cather's works.
Chapter 3 analyzes the novels "Virginia" and "Barren Ground" by Ellen Glasgow. The chapter explores how Glasgow's female characters navigate the complexities of feminine ideals and the emerging figure of the "New Woman" within the context of Southern society. Additionally, it examines the representation of Southern masculinity and its influence on gender roles and marital dynamics.
Chapter 4 delves into the works of Zora Neale Hurston, specifically "Sweat" and "Their Eyes Were Watching God." This chapter examines how Hurston's portrayal of Black women challenges the traditional gender dynamics within Black communities. It explores the resilience and agency of Black women in the face of societal limitations. The chapter also analyzes the representation of Black masculinity and its relationship to gender roles and power structures.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This dissertation explores key themes and concepts such as gender performativity, gender roles, social expectations, patriarchy, female empowerment, American literature, Willa Cather, Ellen Glasgow, Zora Neale Hurston, and the historical and social contexts of the early 20th century in the United States.
- Quote paper
- Ibrahim Shaaban (Author), 2023, Exploring Gender Performativity in Selected Works of Willa Cather, Ellen Glasgow and Zora Neale Hurston, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1420171
