Sexuality is an important issue in Willa Cather’s novel My Ántonia and in Toni Morrison’s Beloved. This may appear quite normal, as sexuality is a substantial part of adult life and both books are to a large extent concerned with the description of adults’ lives. Therefore, we might not wonder why the authors of these novels do depict sexuality in their books, as it does not seem to support any statements. This is the more true the less explicit sexuality is tackled. We might assume that sexuality occurs in these books because it exists, in a kind of l’art pour l’art manner. However, I want to show that the depiction of sexuality in Beloved and in My Ántonia is not at all a coincidence, but is an important means to show power relationships in society and, as a final consequence, to express social criticism in both novels.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Sexuality in My Ántonia
- Sexuality in Beloved
- Conclusion
- References
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This analysis examines the portrayal of sexuality in Willa Cather's My Ántonia and Toni Morrison's Beloved to explore how these depictions reflect social criticism and power dynamics in the respective historical contexts.
- The portrayal of sexuality as a means to express social criticism
- The impact of societal expectations and moral attitudes on individuals, particularly women
- The theme of oppression and shame in relation to sexuality and social norms
- The role of sexuality in shaping power relationships and social hierarchies
- The complexities of love, desire, and identity in the context of societal constraints
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This chapter introduces the topic of sexuality in My Ántonia and Beloved, highlighting its significance within the broader context of the novels and their respective historical periods. The author argues that the depiction of sexuality goes beyond mere realism and serves as a vehicle for exploring social criticism and power dynamics.
- Sexuality in My Ántonia: This chapter focuses on the absence of explicit physical interactions in the novel and how Willa Cather uses this to address the prevalent social attitudes towards women and sexuality in the 19th century. The chapter analyzes the character of Ántonia, highlighting how she challenges societal expectations and endures the consequences of being labeled as "free and easy." The chapter also explores the implications of Jim's sexuality, particularly through his dreams and his response to the attempted rape of Ántonia.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The analysis focuses on the portrayal of sexuality in My Ántonia and Beloved, examining its implications for social criticism, power dynamics, and the experience of oppression and shame. Key themes explored include societal expectations, moral attitudes, gender roles, and the complexities of love and desire in the context of historical and social constraints.
- Quote paper
- Judith Schwickart (Author), 2005, Oppression and shame - an analysis of sexuality in Willa Cather’s "My Antonia" and Toni Morrison’s "Beloved", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/74909
