Conforming to Expectations or Defying Convention?
Gender Roles in Doris Lessing’s Short Story Notes for a Case History
Conforming to Expectations or Defying Convention?
Gender Roles in Doris Lessing’s Short Story Notes for a Case History
Author(s): Corina Mariana MitrulescuSubject(s): Social Sciences, Language and Literature Studies, Gender Studies, Studies of Literature, British Literature
Published by: Universitatea »Babes Bolyai« Cluj - Facultatea de St. Economice si Gestiunea Afacerilor
Keywords: Doris Lessing; feminism; female identity; gender roles; women’s autonomy;
Summary/Abstract: This paper explores Lessing’s views regarding gender roles along with the idea of complying with societal expectations, in the short story “Notes for a Case History.” It focuses on the examination of Maureen Watson’s experiences as a young woman in post-WWII society, delving into the tensions that arise from the societal requirements to conform to traditional gender roles and the need to defy conventional norms in order to preserve one’s identity. Lessing’s portrayal of the protagonist’s struggles highlights both the complexities of gender roles and societal pressures, ultimately questioning the structures that have traditionally defined masculinity and femininity.
Journal: Lingua. Language and Culture
- Issue Year: XXIII/2024
- Issue No: 1
- Page Range: 63-71
- Page Count: 9
- Language: English
