Although we have reached the twenty-first century, a period of sophisticated technology and progress, the debate about gender is still going on; it is present in many fields of our lives. Women and homosexuals, for example, are still facing impertinent treatment. It must have been even worse in the last century, the so-called fin de siècle.
The last century was concerned with reshaping the image of usual relationships and behaviour radically. Relationships were no longer clearly defined or restricted to a specific combination; also the same sex became challenging, even if this meant the disobedience of the conventional idea of sexuality. Moreover, stereotypes concerning female roles started to be violated. The preoccupation with the representation of the female in politics, such as the right to vote, was amongst the most important topics raised. This was due to changes of the people’s social and cultural life, evoked through the feminist movement.
This piece of work will deal with the presentation of gender in selected works of the following female writers: Virginia Woolf and her both rival and friend Katherine Mansfield, as well as Jean Rhys, the modernist writer who died only twenty-three years ago. Building up on theoretical facts, the meaning of gender in the first half of the last century as well as gender-related problems which the protagonists encounter will be elicited. Examples from the novels and short stories will be included.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Main part
- Conclusion
- Bibliography
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay explores the representation of gender in the works of three prominent modernist female writers: Virginia Woolf, Katherine Mansfield, and Jean Rhys. It analyzes how these writers challenged conventional gender roles and explored the complexities of femininity in a rapidly changing world.
- The 'New Woman' and the changing role of women in society.
- The impact of feminist movements on literature and culture.
- The portrayal of female characters struggling for independence and self-actualization.
- The critique of traditional male perspectives on women and their roles.
- The exploration of gender dynamics and power relations in the context of the fin de siècle.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This chapter sets the stage for the essay, outlining the context of the gender debate in the early 20th century and introducing the three writers who will be analyzed.
- Main part: This chapter delves into the representation of gender in the works of Virginia Woolf, Katherine Mansfield, and Jean Rhys. It examines the specific ways these writers explored themes of independence, self-actualization, and the challenges faced by women in a patriarchal society. Examples from their novels and short stories are included to illustrate these points. This chapter discusses how Virginia Woolf's works highlight the limitations placed upon women's creative potential due to societal expectations, while also showing women's desire to break free from traditional roles and pursue their own aspirations. It further analyzes Katherine Mansfield's depiction of women's struggle for independence and self-definition, and how she portrays the complexities of female relationships and identity. Additionally, the chapter explores Jean Rhys's contributions to the modernist discourse on gender and sexuality.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This essay examines the representation of gender in modernist literature, focusing on the works of Virginia Woolf, Katherine Mansfield, and Jean Rhys. The key concepts explored include the 'New Woman,' feminist movements, female independence, self-actualization, patriarchal society, gender dynamics, power relations, and the fin de siècle.
- Quote paper
- Gaby Schneidereit (Author), 2003, The presentation of gender in relation to the works of Virginia Woolf, Katherine Mansfield and Jean Rhys, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/78219