Transcending Gender : A Study of Elizabeth Gaskell's Works

ISBN-13: 9783639149302 / Angielski / Miękka / 2009 / 64 str.

Kimberly Redfern

Opis

During the Victorian Era, women were rarely treated with respect or equality within the patriarchal society. They were never given the chance to become equal members of society. For the most part, Victorian fiction portrayed woman as weak, ineffective and subservient to their male counterparts. However, one writer stands out,among the rest. Elizabeth Gaskell uses her female characters as advocates for societal change. In three of her books, Ms. Gaskell enables these women to transcend both gender and class barriers; Mary Barton, Ruth Hilton, and Margaret Hale defy gender norms with their courage, strength, independence and intellect. Seen once as subservient and meek, these three women take us through a journey filled with doubt, uncertainty and insecurity that ends with a magical transformation of the very basics of femininity. Drastic shifts in societal boundaries arise as these women defy the norm.

O autorze

Kimberly Anne Redfern, MA: Studied English at Eastern Illinois
University. She is an Academic Advisor for the General Studies
Degree Program at EIU. Kim is also an adjunct faculty member at
EIU through the School of Continuing Education. She has also
taught English Composition courses at a local community college.