A Reading of “Female and Feminine” Images in North and South From a Feminist Perspective

Authors

  • Tianzhuo Chu Tongji University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17507/tpls.1209.19

Keywords:

North and South, Elizabeth Gaskell, feminism, “female and feminine” images

Abstract

Elizabeth Gaskell is one of the most famous female writers of the Victorian age. North and South is one of Mrs. Gaskell’s three social novels. Influenced by feminism, Mrs. Gaskell mainly emphasizes the idea of equality between men and women, that women should be in control of their own lives, have their own ideas, be independent and be strong. This essay mainly represents different female as well as “feminine” male characters in this novel which serve to highlight the ideal perfect female image from a feminist perspective, focusing on the feminist ideas and reflections projected behind these characters. This article aims to reveal that in modern society, harmony and equality between men and women are of great importance in building a harmonious society.

Author Biography

Tianzhuo Chu, Tongji University

School of Foreign Languages

References

Che, L. (2003). The Transmutation of Feminine Consciousness in Nineteenth-Century English Women's Literature. Academic Exchange, 5, 152-154.

Chen, L. (2012). The Logic of Gender Politics in North and South: Functional Characters and the Making of New Space for Women. Foreign Literatures, 32(03), 129-137. https://doi.org/10.16345/j.cnki.cn11-1562/i.2012.03.016

Easson, A. (1980). Mr Hale's Doubts in North and South. The Review of English Studies, 31(121), 30-40.

Gaskell, E. (2005). North and South. Norton.

Lansbury, C. (1975). Elizabeth Gaskell: The Novel of Social Crisis. New York: Barnes & Noble Books.

Pittock, M. (2000). The Dove Ascending: The Case for Elizabeth Gaskell. English Studies, 81(6), 531-547.

Zhen, Y. (2014). Moral Dilemma and Personal Growth: The Heroines’ Psychological Development in Gaskell’s Social Fiction. Shanghai International Studies University.

Zlotnick, S. (2001). Women, Writing, and the Industrial Revolution. JHU Press.

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Published

2022-09-01

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Section

Articles