The aim of this bachelor thesis is to contribute to research on how feminist perspectives on motherhood are portrayed in North American fictional writing. For this purpose, I will use close reading techniques to analyze Margaret Atwood’s novels The Handmaid’s Tale, Cat’s Eye and Oryx and Crake to show that all three foster a feminist view on motherhood. I will argue that in the novels Atwood recognizes motherhood as both a source of oppression and a source of empowerment. Additionally, I will demonstrate how she dismantles the myth of perfect motherhood by portraying disrupted mother-child relationships, authentic maternal experiences and the subjectivity of mother figures that would traditionally be regarded as “bad” mothers.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- An Overview: Feminist Perspectives on Motherhood
- An Overview: Motherhood in Margaret Atwood's Novels
- Motherhood in Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale, Oryx & Crake, and Cat's Eye
- Reproduction
- Reproduction in Feminist Discourse
- Reproduction in The Handmaid's Tale, Cat's Eye, and Oryx & Crake
- Mother Figures and Mother-Daughter Relationships
- Blaming and Idealizing Mothers in Feminist Theories
- Mother Figures and Mother-Child Relationships in the Novels
- Reproduction
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This bachelor thesis examines how feminist perspectives on motherhood are portrayed in Margaret Atwood's novels, The Handmaid's Tale, Cat's Eye, and Oryx & Crake. The analysis aims to demonstrate that Atwood's work presents a nuanced feminist view of motherhood, acknowledging it as both a source of oppression and empowerment. The study uses close reading techniques to explore Atwood's depiction of motherhood and its complexities.
- Feminist perspectives on motherhood and reproduction
- The portrayal of motherhood as both oppressive and empowering
- The deconstruction of the myth of perfect motherhood
- Analysis of disrupted mother-child relationships in Atwood's novels
- Examination of authentic maternal experiences and the subjectivity of maternal figures
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction: The introduction sets the stage by highlighting the recent surge in media attention given to mothers expressing regret about motherhood, contrasting this with the traditionally idealized and romanticized view of motherhood. It then provides a concise overview of the evolution of feminist perspectives on motherhood across different waves of feminism, emphasizing the second wave's focus on the personal and political aspects of motherhood and reproductive rights. The introduction establishes the groundwork for analyzing Atwood's novels through the lens of second-wave feminist theory, acknowledging the diverse and sometimes opposing viewpoints within this framework.
An Overview: Feminist Perspectives on Motherhood: [This section would contain a summary of the chapter discussing various feminist perspectives on motherhood. Since the provided text is incomplete, this summary cannot be created.]
An Overview: Motherhood in Margaret Atwood's Novels: [This section would contain a summary of the chapter providing an overview of motherhood in Atwood's novels. Since the provided text is incomplete, this summary cannot be created.]
Motherhood in Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale, Oryx & Crake, and Cat's Eye: This chapter delves into the representation of motherhood in three of Atwood's notable novels. It examines the complexities of reproduction, exploring themes of abortion rights, assisted reproductive technologies, and the various ways pregnancy and motherhood are experienced and portrayed within the narrative structures of each novel. Furthermore, it analyzes the depiction of mother figures and mother-daughter relationships, considering how Atwood challenges traditional notions of "good" and "bad" mothers. By incorporating feminist theories concerning the idealization and condemnation of mothers, the analysis aims to unpack the multifaceted nature of maternal roles and relationships in Atwood's works. This involves detailed examination of the impact of societal pressures and personal circumstances on the experiences of mothers within each novel.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Motherhood, Feminism, Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid's Tale, Cat's Eye, Oryx & Crake, Reproduction, Mother-Daughter Relationships, Feminist Theory, Oppression, Empowerment, "Good Mother," "Bad Mother," Reproductive Rights.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Motherhood in Margaret Atwood's Novels
What is the main focus of this academic paper?
This bachelor thesis analyzes how feminist perspectives on motherhood are portrayed in Margaret Atwood's novels, The Handmaid's Tale, Cat's Eye, and Oryx & Crake. It aims to show that Atwood presents a nuanced view, portraying motherhood as both oppressive and empowering.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis?
The analysis explores feminist perspectives on motherhood and reproduction, the portrayal of motherhood as both oppressive and empowering, the deconstruction of the myth of perfect motherhood, disrupted mother-child relationships in Atwood's novels, and authentic maternal experiences and the subjectivity of maternal figures.
Which novels by Margaret Atwood are analyzed?
The thesis focuses on three of Margaret Atwood's novels: The Handmaid's Tale, Cat's Eye, and Oryx & Crake.
What theoretical framework is used in the analysis?
The analysis uses second-wave feminist theory to examine Atwood's depiction of motherhood, acknowledging the diverse and sometimes opposing viewpoints within this framework.
What methodologies are employed in this study?
The study uses close reading techniques to explore Atwood's depiction of motherhood and its complexities.
What specific aspects of motherhood are examined?
The analysis examines the complexities of reproduction (including abortion rights and assisted reproductive technologies), the portrayal of mother figures and mother-daughter relationships, and how Atwood challenges traditional notions of "good" and "bad" mothers.
How does the thesis structure its argument?
The thesis begins with an introduction that contextualizes the study, followed by chapters providing overviews of feminist perspectives on motherhood and motherhood in Atwood's novels. The main analysis then focuses on the representation of motherhood in The Handmaid's Tale, Cat's Eye, and Oryx & Crake, examining reproduction and mother-daughter relationships in detail.
What are the key keywords associated with this research?
Key words include: Motherhood, Feminism, Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid's Tale, Cat's Eye, Oryx & Crake, Reproduction, Mother-Daughter Relationships, Feminist Theory, Oppression, Empowerment, "Good Mother," "Bad Mother," Reproductive Rights.
- Quote paper
- Ronja Thiede (Author), 2018, Motherhood in Margaret Atwood’s novels, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/469960
