The Androgynous Disguise: Marian Halcombe's Hidden Misogyny
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Campus where you would like to present
SURC Room 135
Start Date
15-5-2014
End Date
15-5-2014
Keywords
Androgyny, Agency, Feminism
Abstract
This paper looks at the gender construction of Marian Halcombe in Wilkie Collins' The Woman in White. It explores her apparent independence while also looking at the effects of her so-called androgyny. It argues that though Marian can be read through a feminist lens, in the end her character and role reaffirm the patriarchy, as well as showing a disgust for the state of being female. By studying Marian's acts of agency throughout the novel, this paper strives to prove that each act results in the success of the patriarchy. Marian's relationships to two of the male characters also illustrate her decline from an independent character to a proponent of normal Victorian gender roles. The paper concludes that, though Marian strives to be a woman of agency, her attitude, actions, and the plot of the novel itself force her to accept a traditional female role.
Recommended Citation
Kent, Jessica; Chaddock, William; and Thomas, James "Tyler", "The Androgynous Disguise: Marian Halcombe's Hidden Misogyny" (2014). Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 107.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2014/oralpresentations/107
Additional Mentoring Department
English
The Androgynous Disguise: Marian Halcombe's Hidden Misogyny
SURC Room 135
This paper looks at the gender construction of Marian Halcombe in Wilkie Collins' The Woman in White. It explores her apparent independence while also looking at the effects of her so-called androgyny. It argues that though Marian can be read through a feminist lens, in the end her character and role reaffirm the patriarchy, as well as showing a disgust for the state of being female. By studying Marian's acts of agency throughout the novel, this paper strives to prove that each act results in the success of the patriarchy. Marian's relationships to two of the male characters also illustrate her decline from an independent character to a proponent of normal Victorian gender roles. The paper concludes that, though Marian strives to be a woman of agency, her attitude, actions, and the plot of the novel itself force her to accept a traditional female role.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Sutphin, Christine