Re-constructing identity through language and vision in Margaret Atwood's Surfacing and Cat's Eye

Margaret Atwood's work examines the individual's struggle for identity within a prescriptive Western society that tends to divide the world into binary categories. One side of the binary is considered powerful, while the other side is less powerful. Often, those on the weaker end of the spectrum are victimised. Because the fundamental principles for these binary categories are based on patriarchal ideologies, women are the victims. The rules that govern men's and women's actions within this patriarchal system are conveyed through language and vision. Women learn social rules through communication, and these rules are reinforced through vision.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of English Language and Literature

Year dc:date.issued

2009

Author dc:creator

• Fortuin, Sariska

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Fincham, Gail

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/8240

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/8240