همایش رویکردهای میان رشته ای به آموزش زبان، ادبیات و مطالعات ترجمه

صفحه اصلی / پنجمین همایش رویکردهای میان رشته ای به آموزش زبان، ادبیات و مطالعات ترجمه

Destabilizer of Gender Norms: A Postmodern Feminist Female Figure in Harold Pinter's The Homecoming (1965)

نویسندگان :

Nasrin Nezamdoost¹

1- دانشگاه کوثر بجنورد

کلمات کلیدی :

Postmodern Feminism،Flynn،The Homecoming،gender norms،destabilizing

چکیده :

Gender has always been a topic of debate in feminist studies. The modern feminist Simon de Beauvoir (1908-1986) aimed to establish a universal identity for women in the patriarchal culture and advocates equal rights for them. However, the postmodern Feminist Elizabeth A. Flynn (1944-) claims that the idea of a universal and essentialized womanhood is problematic. In other words, Postmodern Feminism argues for destabilizing gender norms and categories rather than establishing a fixed identity for women. Harold Pinter in his family play, The Homecoming (1965), depicts an enigmatic female figure called Ruth. She challenges and subverts the traditional gender roles through exertion of power. She constantly shifts roles within the family dynamics. Her presence disrupts the established order, highlighting authority and manipulation. By applying Flynn's postmodern feminist ideas to this play, the findings of the present study reveal that Ruth re-conceptualizes the patriarchal doctrines about gender through fluid identity, playing the role of a domineering mother-substitute within the male-dominated household, personal freedom and autonomy, ambiguity, attaining property rights, and household reversal. Therefore, Ruth as a postmodern feminist destabilizes the gender categories without establishing a fixed identity for herself as a woman.