Jeanette Wintersons's "Written on the Body" (1990) draws a realistic picture of twentieth century England, but in contrast to the majority of post-modern works that display chaos and displacement often accompanied by apocalyptic future visions, "Written on the Body sets love and trust against individualism and control. The simple plot of the story as well as the overload of metaphors and imagery have misled some critics into judging the novel as trivial and romantic, but a closer look clearly does not hold that interpretation. The use of imagery and fantastic elements is much too pointed to be read as mere poetic illustration of romantic feelings. In fact what seems trivial and naive at the surface appears highly thought through at a deeper look. "Written on the Body" is a notable comment on society's perception of gender and identity. The ostentatious playing with cultural conventions and assumöptions related to sexual relationships and the female body, constitutes a sociocritical statement, which is artistically wrapped up in a melodramatic love affair. It challenges the conventional binary gender system, although, at the same time, it seems itself trapped in this system. In this paper I want to explore the representation of body, gender, and identity in "Written on the Body".
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Gender
- 2.1. The genderless I-narrator
- 2.2. It's the clichés that cause all the trouble
- 2.2.1. The cliché woman
- 2.2.2. The cliché man
- 3. The Body
- 3.1. The female body
- 3.2. The male body
- 3.3. The sick body
- 3.4. Writing on the body
- 4. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper explores the representation of body, gender, and identity in Jeanette Winterson's novel "Written on the Body." The main objective is to analyze how Winterson challenges conventional notions of gender and identity through her narrative techniques and character portrayals. The paper investigates the novel's engagement with post-modern theories on gender and identity, while also acknowledging its potential inconsistencies.
- Gender Construction and Deconstruction
- Body Image and Sexuality
- The Role of Clichés in Shaping Perceptions of Gender
- The Relationship Between Identity and Biological Sex
- Winterson's Use of Literary Conventions and Genre
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the analysis of Jeanette Winterson's "Written on the Body," highlighting its unique approach to themes of love, trust, individualism, and control within a post-modern context. It contrasts the novel's seemingly simple plot with its rich use of metaphors and imagery, arguing against interpretations that dismiss it as merely trivial or romantic. The introduction positions the novel as a sociocritical commentary on society's perceptions of gender and identity, emphasizing the intentional nature of its stylistic choices and its engagement with challenging conventional binary gender systems.
2. Gender: This chapter focuses on the novel's most striking element: the genderless narrator. The ambiguity surrounding the narrator's sex is presented as a deliberate device to challenge the reader's assumptions about the connection between biological sex, gender identity, and sexual desire. By employing a narrator who defies easy categorization, Winterson forces the reader to confront pre-conceived notions of gender and identity. The chapter analyzes how the narrator's use of language, actions, and experiences subvert traditional gender stereotypes, illustrating how identity is constructed through interactions and experiences rather than dictated by biological factors. It also explores how the novel uses both male and female clichés, presenting them as constructions that can be challenged and ultimately disregarded.
3. The Body: This chapter delves into the representation of the body in "Written on the Body," analyzing the depictions of female and male bodies, as well as exploring the theme of the sick body. It examines how the novel utilizes both conventional and unconventional representations of physical appearance, connecting these to broader discussions of gender and societal expectations. Specific examples of how the physical descriptions of characters, especially Louise Fox and Gail Right, contribute to the novel's exploration of beauty standards and their impact on self-perception and identity are explored. The use of the body as a site of both pleasure and pain, and its connection to identity and self-expression is also discussed.
Keywords
Gender identity, body image, sexuality, post-modernism, Jeanette Winterson, "Written on the Body," gender construction, queer theory, literary conventions, clichés, societal perceptions.
Frequently Asked Questions: Jeanette Winterson's "Written on the Body"
What is the main focus of this academic preview?
This preview provides a comprehensive overview of an academic paper analyzing the representation of body, gender, and identity in Jeanette Winterson's novel "Written on the Body." It includes the table of contents, objectives, key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis of "Written on the Body"?
The analysis explores key themes such as gender construction and deconstruction, body image and sexuality, the role of clichés in shaping perceptions of gender, the relationship between identity and biological sex, and Winterson's use of literary conventions and genre. The novel's unique approach to love, trust, individualism, and control within a post-modern context is also discussed.
How does the analysis approach the novel's depiction of gender?
The analysis focuses on the novel's genderless narrator as a deliberate device to challenge readers' assumptions about the connection between biological sex, gender identity, and sexual desire. It examines how the narrator's language, actions, and experiences subvert traditional gender stereotypes and how the novel uses both male and female clichés as constructions that can be challenged and disregarded.
What is the role of the body in the analysis of "Written on the Body"?
The analysis delves into the representation of the body, examining depictions of female and male bodies, and exploring the theme of the sick body. It analyzes how the novel uses both conventional and unconventional representations of physical appearance, connecting these to broader discussions of gender and societal expectations. The body's role as a site of both pleasure and pain, and its connection to identity and self-expression are also explored.
What is the significance of the novel's use of clichés in the context of gender?
The analysis highlights how the novel employs both male and female clichés, not to reinforce them, but to expose them as artificial constructs that can be deconstructed and ultimately rejected. This contributes to the novel’s overall critique of societal gender norms.
What is the overall objective of the academic paper previewed here?
The main objective is to analyze how Winterson challenges conventional notions of gender and identity through her narrative techniques and character portrayals, investigating the novel's engagement with post-modern theories on gender and identity, while acknowledging potential inconsistencies.
What are some of the key literary devices used by Winterson that are analyzed in this paper?
The analysis considers Winterson's use of a genderless narrator, her employment of both male and female clichés, her unconventional representations of the body, and her use of metaphors and imagery to create a complex and thought-provoking narrative.
What are the key words associated with the analysis of "Written on the Body"?
Key words include: Gender identity, body image, sexuality, post-modernism, Jeanette Winterson, "Written on the Body," gender construction, queer theory, literary conventions, clichés, societal perceptions.
What is included in this HTML preview of the academic paper?
This HTML preview includes a table of contents, a statement of objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and a list of keywords. It provides a detailed roadmap of the full academic paper.
- Quote paper
- Britta Sonnenberg (Author), 2003, Body Image and Identity in Jeanette Winterson's "Written on the Body", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/25908
