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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 5 page research paper/analysis of gender criticism's interpretation of Kate Chopin's The Awakening. The writer argues that this position, which focuses on lesbian aspects of the novel, does not properly acknowledge the complexity of this psychologically oriented narrative. Bibliography lists 2 sources.
Page Count:
5 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_khgencit.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
much as possible, from the general category of feminist criticism as a distinct area of study. Only in the last two pages of this essay does Murfin address Kate Chopins
late nineteenth century novel The Awakening. Murfins essay clearly shows the orientation of gender criticism towards a suppressed-lesbian interpretation of Edna Pontelliers motivations and sexuality. In analyzing the
position of gender criticism towards this work, one can find evidence both for and against this position in Chopins text. This investigation shows that, in the final analysis, explaining Ednas
actions purely in lesbian/bisexual terms limits Chopins criticism of nineteenth century societal restrictions imposed on women. Murfin explains that gender criticism differs from feminist criticism in the fact that it
is not "woman centered," but rather incorporates critical perspective on both male and female sexes, seeing sexuality, in general, in terms of a "complicated continuum." This school of critical
thought has a great deal to say about Chopins novel. Andrienne Rich, for example, asserts that the "compulsory heterosexuality" of the novels setting demonstrate the manner in which "heterosexual
love, marriage and motherhood," which are all socially expected, if not mandatory stages, of female existence in the nineteenth century create conditions that stifle "womens creative potential." (See last
page of fax.) Likewise, Teresa de Laurentis argues that Edna, in rejecting the "biological" definition of the feminine gender, also rejects the "naturalness" of socially accepted parameters for feminine
behavior that, for some women, is "unbearably restrictive." As Murfins essay serves as an introduction to Elizabeth A. LeBlancs essay on The Awakening, "The Metaphorical Lesbian" he
naturally relates his observations to this essay. Murfin points out that Elizabeth A. LeBlanc argues that the protagonist of The Awakening, Edna Pontellier, is a woman who is "trapped
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