Women and bodily separation in literature from the Victorian era until today

<p>The dualities that are often associated with female characters have taken many forms throughout the centuries. In the Victorian era, female characters were often presented as dual natured; oftentimes this division was represented through the use of a madwoman and a heroine. In the early 20th century, however, this motif was picked up by female poets, who used duality in order to express the disconnect women often feel from their family, their friends, and, especially, their bodies. In today‟s literature, these feelings of duality and separation are expressed through a literal separation, not between good and evil, but of body and soul. In all forms throughout history, this motif has been used as a representation of the freedom of spirit that all women possess, but that is often stifled by society.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts (MA)

Level thesis:degree_level

Open Access Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

English Language and Literature

Year dc:date.available

2011

Author dc:creator

• Leonard, DeLisa

Contributors dc:contributor

• Laura George: Chair
• Elisabeth Däumer: Committee Member

• women
• bodily separation
• Victorian
• literature
• feminism
• male gaze
• English Language and Literature

Repository record dc:identifier

https://commons.emich.edu/theses/345

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:commons.emich.edu:theses-1345