"Forms and ceremonies to be gone through" : performance and self-knowledge in Elizabeth Gaskell's "Cranford", "North and South", and "Wives and Daughters".

This thesis looks at blatant and subversive performances in Elizabeth Gaskell's Cranford, North and South, and Wives and Daughters. Referencing studies of nineteenth-century performance theory, I will argue that Gaskell, aware of her contemporaries' obsession with theatricality, created works that are ultimately concerned with authentic performances of societal roles. These roles, Gaskell paradoxically argues, have the dualistic potential of either initiating self-knowledge or trapping the individual in a self-annihilating existence. Seeking to navigate this duality, Gaskell acknowledges the integral part the community plays in a self's development but ultimately privileges individual integrity in accomplishing positive societal change.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.A.

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Grantor

Baylor University.

Year dc:date.issued

2009

Author dc:creator

• Freeland, Sarah.

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Losey, Jay Brian.

• Gaskell, Elizabeth Cleghorn, 1810-1865.
• Cranford.
• North and south.
• Wives and daughters.
• Performance in literature.
• Self-knowledge in literature.

Statement dc:rights

• Baylor University works are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. Contact libraryquestions@baylor.edu for inquiries about permission.

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/2104/5377

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:baylor-ir.tdl.org:2104/5377