Ancient Greece having survived uninterruptedly through centuries, consists an incontestably cultural capital of overriding importance for the global community and especially for Greece itself. Mythical elements usuall...Ancient Greece having survived uninterruptedly through centuries, consists an incontestably cultural capital of overriding importance for the global community and especially for Greece itself. Mythical elements usually become frameworks or structures, in which Greek literary tradition encodes Greek national virtues and promotes nationalistic goals. On the other hand, myth's adaptations to different chrono-topes generate diversified cultural reception, adjusted to the era and the audience's expectations. The mythical figures are constantly invested in different conceptual schemata, which correspond to the altered way of thinking. Myth is also usually embedded in or underlies fantasy genre, which becomes a vehicle for utterances on women's rights. In this paper, we are going to examine closely three "fantasy" novels for children with mythical intertextual elements: The Fortunate lsles (1989), Torch (1987), and Sirena (1998), whose plot takes place in Greece and we will try to explore: (1) how is Greekness being perceived and presented; and (2) how is female identity being introjected or depicted, in order to find out if the subversive potential of the fantasy genre reworks and rationalizes femininity and Greekness, which have for so long been exploited by the patriarchal or nationalistic status quo.展开更多
The novel Islands of Silence by Wei-chen Su,a female writer from Taiwan,explores the identity and roles of women by portraying two characters with the same name,Chenmian,who struggles with her unbearable reality from ...The novel Islands of Silence by Wei-chen Su,a female writer from Taiwan,explores the identity and roles of women by portraying two characters with the same name,Chenmian,who struggles with her unbearable reality from her family,desperately trying to build a“solid”identity for herself.The character is so eager to have ways out that she imagines another totally different self,with a happy marriage in a lovely family.In the novel,the single Chenmian travels around the world while the alter ego lives a stable life in Taiwan.Through the intertwined story lines of both Chenmians,Su challenged our traditional understanding of female identity;attempted to destabilize the traditional concepts of womanhood.This concept starts with Chenmian’s quest for an essential womanhood,but ends with her realization of its indefiniteness.展开更多
This essay examines the autobiography of Chen Hengzhe (1890-1976) (see Appendix), a relatively less studied woman writer, historian, and critic in modem China. Through the study in four aspects, namely, the pursui...This essay examines the autobiography of Chen Hengzhe (1890-1976) (see Appendix), a relatively less studied woman writer, historian, and critic in modem China. Through the study in four aspects, namely, the pursuit of modem education, simple appearance, great leaders, and the ambassadors of culture, the author's research indicates that Chen's construction of"new woman" has been influenced by complex historical and cultural forces such as the Chinese traditional culture, Western culture, and the iconoclastic spirit of "the New Culture Movement". Meanwhile, Chen's gender consciousness is also an important element. Moreover, Chen's pioneering standing and her own experiences of studying abroad makes her take the lead in conceiving women's leadership and their roles in global culture communications. In the late Qing and the early Republic, traditional values and norms of womanhood were severely challenged. Chen's construction of"new woman" is her conscious effort to define a new womanhood and is an integral part of the ongoing exploration of Chinese women for modem womanhood. Through the examination of Chen's "new woman", this paper seeks to enrich our understanding of the complexity of modem Chinese women's exploration of modem womanhood.展开更多
The present study aims to focus on the relationship between gender and everyday life and reflect on the meanings of being a woman in the 1950s and the 1960s over Sally Potter’s film Ginger and Rosa(2012a).The 1950s a...The present study aims to focus on the relationship between gender and everyday life and reflect on the meanings of being a woman in the 1950s and the 1960s over Sally Potter’s film Ginger and Rosa(2012a).The 1950s and the 1960s are marked with significant changes and transformations in terms of the social statuses and everyday lives of women in many countries all around the world.Women began to question their gendered roles and performances,resist“doing gender”and speak out“the problem that has no name”in these years,which would then evolve into the second-wave feminist movement—a significant historical period in women’s history.Therefore,an analysis of this specific period is considered significant to understand the relationship between gender and everyday life.Thus,the present study first addresses the relationship between gender and everyday life in general terms,discussing the social construction of gender and how we are taught to do gender through socialization.Then,it examines women’s practices,performances,relationships,conflicts,and resistances in their everyday lives throughout the 1950s and the 1960s over the film Ginger and Rosa.Considering the historical,social,and political developments at the time,this study tries to explore significant issues within feminist studies such as the relationship between mothers and daughters,and female friendship/sisterhood through the characters in the film,and comprehend what it meant to be a young girl,a woman,a wife,and a mother in both private and public spheres in these years based upon the director’s own experiences and memories.展开更多
文摘Ancient Greece having survived uninterruptedly through centuries, consists an incontestably cultural capital of overriding importance for the global community and especially for Greece itself. Mythical elements usually become frameworks or structures, in which Greek literary tradition encodes Greek national virtues and promotes nationalistic goals. On the other hand, myth's adaptations to different chrono-topes generate diversified cultural reception, adjusted to the era and the audience's expectations. The mythical figures are constantly invested in different conceptual schemata, which correspond to the altered way of thinking. Myth is also usually embedded in or underlies fantasy genre, which becomes a vehicle for utterances on women's rights. In this paper, we are going to examine closely three "fantasy" novels for children with mythical intertextual elements: The Fortunate lsles (1989), Torch (1987), and Sirena (1998), whose plot takes place in Greece and we will try to explore: (1) how is Greekness being perceived and presented; and (2) how is female identity being introjected or depicted, in order to find out if the subversive potential of the fantasy genre reworks and rationalizes femininity and Greekness, which have for so long been exploited by the patriarchal or nationalistic status quo.
文摘The novel Islands of Silence by Wei-chen Su,a female writer from Taiwan,explores the identity and roles of women by portraying two characters with the same name,Chenmian,who struggles with her unbearable reality from her family,desperately trying to build a“solid”identity for herself.The character is so eager to have ways out that she imagines another totally different self,with a happy marriage in a lovely family.In the novel,the single Chenmian travels around the world while the alter ego lives a stable life in Taiwan.Through the intertwined story lines of both Chenmians,Su challenged our traditional understanding of female identity;attempted to destabilize the traditional concepts of womanhood.This concept starts with Chenmian’s quest for an essential womanhood,but ends with her realization of its indefiniteness.
文摘This essay examines the autobiography of Chen Hengzhe (1890-1976) (see Appendix), a relatively less studied woman writer, historian, and critic in modem China. Through the study in four aspects, namely, the pursuit of modem education, simple appearance, great leaders, and the ambassadors of culture, the author's research indicates that Chen's construction of"new woman" has been influenced by complex historical and cultural forces such as the Chinese traditional culture, Western culture, and the iconoclastic spirit of "the New Culture Movement". Meanwhile, Chen's gender consciousness is also an important element. Moreover, Chen's pioneering standing and her own experiences of studying abroad makes her take the lead in conceiving women's leadership and their roles in global culture communications. In the late Qing and the early Republic, traditional values and norms of womanhood were severely challenged. Chen's construction of"new woman" is her conscious effort to define a new womanhood and is an integral part of the ongoing exploration of Chinese women for modem womanhood. Through the examination of Chen's "new woman", this paper seeks to enrich our understanding of the complexity of modem Chinese women's exploration of modem womanhood.
文摘The present study aims to focus on the relationship between gender and everyday life and reflect on the meanings of being a woman in the 1950s and the 1960s over Sally Potter’s film Ginger and Rosa(2012a).The 1950s and the 1960s are marked with significant changes and transformations in terms of the social statuses and everyday lives of women in many countries all around the world.Women began to question their gendered roles and performances,resist“doing gender”and speak out“the problem that has no name”in these years,which would then evolve into the second-wave feminist movement—a significant historical period in women’s history.Therefore,an analysis of this specific period is considered significant to understand the relationship between gender and everyday life.Thus,the present study first addresses the relationship between gender and everyday life in general terms,discussing the social construction of gender and how we are taught to do gender through socialization.Then,it examines women’s practices,performances,relationships,conflicts,and resistances in their everyday lives throughout the 1950s and the 1960s over the film Ginger and Rosa.Considering the historical,social,and political developments at the time,this study tries to explore significant issues within feminist studies such as the relationship between mothers and daughters,and female friendship/sisterhood through the characters in the film,and comprehend what it meant to be a young girl,a woman,a wife,and a mother in both private and public spheres in these years based upon the director’s own experiences and memories.