St.

Paul College of Ilocos Sur

(Member, St. Paul University System)
St. Paul Avenue, Bantay, 2727 Ilocos Sur

Department of Arts & Sciences and Teacher Education

PAASCU Re-Accredited Level II

SUMILE, ALEXANDRA Y. WORLD LITERATURE LIT 102

BSED IV SCIENCE December 09, 2024
Case Study
The Representation of Female Characters in Modernist and Postmodernist Fiction
I. Introduction

The depiction of female characters in literature has changed dramatically

from the modernist to the postmodernist eras. Modernism, which evolved in
the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, was distinguished by a
departure from traditional narrative structures and an investigation into new
methods to represent reality. During this time, men authors frequently
presented female characters through their lens, reflecting cultural standards
and expectations of femininity. Postmodernism, which rose to popularity in the
mid-twentieth century, questioned traditional narratives and advocated for
fragmentation, irony, and self-reflection. This transition enabled more diverse
and nuanced images of women, as authors began to question gender norms
and the fundamental concept of identity.
Female characters in modernist fiction were typically constrained to
traditional roles such as muse, mother, or femme fatale. These portrayals
frequently reflected current fears about women's liberation and sexuality. For
example, Virginia Woolf's writings demonstrate a deep awareness of women's
inner lives while still contending with societal restraints. Her characterizations
show both power and sensitivity, yet they are frequently interpreted via male
lenses.
Postmodernist fiction, on the other hand, deconstructs these tropes and
presents a more diverse perspective of gender. Authors such as Angela
Carter and Margaret Atwood use metafictional strategies to empower female
characters and question patriarchal narratives. The mobility of identity
becomes a key subject in postmodern literature, with women portrayed as
varied persons rather than rigid symbols.
Furthermore, postmodernism's emphasis on intertextuality allows female
characters to engage critically with their literary antecedents. This interaction
allows for a re-examination of historical images of women in literature, as well
as a focus on how these portrayals have affected modern gender
understandings.

Overview:
Modernism and postmodernism were two major literary trends that
developed in the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries, respectively.
Modernism, which lasted from around 1910 to 1945, was distinguished by a
departure from traditional forms and norms, stressing new storytelling
methods, stream of consciousness, and fragmented structures. In contrast,
postmodernism, which emerged in the mid-twentieth century, frequently
questions conventional narratives while embracing contradiction, play, and
intertextuality.

Research Question:
 Case Study Selection:
II. Genre Definitions and Theoretical Framework: -
Genre Definitions:

Comparative Framework
While both movements address women’s experiences within patriarchal
frameworks, they do so through different lenses
1.Complexity vs. Fragmentation: Modernist female characters are more
psychologically complex, displaying profound internal struggles over identity
and societal duties. In contrast, postmodern female characters frequently
signify fragmentation—multiple identities or views that contradict unified
narratives.

2.Agency vs. Irony: Modernist literature depicts a battle for agency in the
face of repressive frameworks; female characters strive for autonomy but are
frequently denied by cultural conventions. In contrast, postmodern portrayals
may embrace irony in terms of agency—female characters may look strong
while also criticizing or satirizing those very conceptions.

3.Society Reflection vs. Deconstruction: Modernist works reflect society

shifts in women's roles throughout major historical events (such as wars).
Postmodern works undermine these insights by challenging the validity of any
one narrative about women or femininity.

Case Studies:

Postmodernist Literature (1945-1980)

1. How do postmodernist authors like Thomas Pynchon, Don DeLillo, and
Margaret Atwood represent female characters' experiences with trauma,
history, and power?
2. What role do female narrators play in subverting traditional notions of
truth and reality in postmodernist fiction, as seen in Kathy Acker's "Blood and
Guts in High School" (1984)?
3. How do postmodernist works like Angela Carter's "The Bloody
Chamber" (1979) and Toni Morrison's "Beloved" (1987) reimagine and
redefine feminine identity?
4. In what ways do postmodernist authors challenge or reinforce feminist
theories and ideologies?

Comparative Studies
1. How do modernist and postmodernist authors differ in their
representation of female characters' agency, autonomy, and subjectivity?
2. What similarities and differences emerge in the portrayal of female
characters' relationships with technology, space, and time in modernist and
postmodernist literature?
3. How do historical contexts (e.g., World War I, feminist movements)
influence the representation of female characters in modernist and
postmodernist works?
4. What impact do modernist and postmodernist literary styles (e.g.,
stream-of-consciousness, fragmentation) have on the representation of
female characters' experiences?

Theoretical Perspectives
1. Apply feminist theories (e.g., Butler's performativity, Cixous' écriture
féminine) to analyze female characters in modernist and postmodernist
literature.
2. Examine the intersectionality of gender, race, class, and sexuality in
modernist and postmodernist representations of female characters.
 3. Use poststructuralist theories (e.g., Derrida's différance) to deconstruct
the notion of "female character" in modernist and postmodernist literature.
4. Investigate how modernist and postmodernist authors engage with or
challenge psychoanalytic theories regarding feminine identity.
Potential Research Methods
1. Close reading and textual analysis
2. Historical contextualization
3. Comparative literary analysis
4. Theoretical applications (feminist, poststructuralist, postcolonial)
5. Intersectional and interdisciplinary approaches.

Author and Work:

Here's a comprehensive list of authors and works exploring the

representation of female characters in modernist and postmodernist literature:
Modernist Authors (1900-1945)
1. Virginia Woolf: "Mrs. Dalloway" (1925), "To the Lighthouse" (1927),
"Orlando" (1928)
2. James Joyce: "Ulysses" (1922) - Molly Bloom's character
3. Djuna Barnes: "Nightwood" (1936) - exploration of lesbian identity
4. Jean Rhys: "Good Morning, Midnight" (1939) - feminist critique of
modernity
5. Katherine Mansfield: "The Garden Party" (1922) - feminine identity and
class
6. E.M. Forster: "Howards End" (1910) - feminine identity and social class
7. T.S. Eliot: "The Waste Land" (1922) - fragmented feminine identity
8. Ezra Pound: "The Cantos" (1917-1969) –

Feminine imagery and mythology Postmodernist Authors (1945-1980)

1. Margaret Atwood: "The Handmaid's Tale" (1985) - dystopian feminist
critique
2. Toni Morrison: "Beloved" (1987) - haunting and trauma in African-
American experience
3. Angela Carter: "The Bloody Chamber" (1979) - feminist reinterpretation
of fairy tales
4. Kathy Acker: "Blood and Guts in High School" (1984) - experimental
feminist narrative
5. Don DeLillo: "White Noise" (1985) - consumerism and feminine identity
6. Thomas Pynchon: "Gravity's Rainbow" (1973) - paranoia and feminine
conspiracy
7. Joan Didion: "Play It as It Lays" (1970) - disintegrating feminine identity
8. Alice Walker: "The Color Purple" (1982)

African-American feminine experience Theoretical Works

1. Simone de Beauvoir: "The Second Sex" (1949) - foundational feminist
philosophy
2. Betty Friedan: "The Feminine Mystique" (1963) - feminist critique of
domesticity
3. Julia Kristeva: "Desire in Language" (1980) - feminist psychoanalytic
theory
4. Hélène Cixous: "The Laugh of the Medusa" (1975) - écriture féminine
5. Judith Butler: "Gender Trouble" (1990)

Performative gender theory Critical Studies 1. Sandra Gilbert and Susan

Gubar: "

The Madwoman in the Attic" (1979) - feminist literary criticism

2. Toril Moi: "Sexual/Textual Politics" (1985) - feminist literary theory
 3. Nancy Armstrong: "Desire and Domestic Fiction" (1987) - feminist
literary history
4. Rita Felski: "Beyond Feminist Aesthetics" (1989) - feminist literary
theory
5. Marianne Dekoven: "Rich and Strange: Gender, History, Modernism"
(1991) - feminist modernist critique

III. Genre Classification:

Genre Classification: The Representation of Female Characters in Modernist

and Postmodernist Literature
The representation of female characters in modernist and postmodernist
literature reflects significant shifts in narrative techniques, thematic concerns,
and cultural contexts. To understand these changes, we can analyze the
characteristics of both movements and their impact on female representation.
Modernist Literature (late 19th to mid-20th century)
Modernism emerged as a response to the rapid changes brought about by
industrialization, World War I, and shifts in societal norms. It is characterized
by a break from traditional forms of writing, experimentation with narrative
structure, and a focus on subjective experience.
Fragmentation and Subjectivity: Modernist writers often employed
fragmented narratives that mirrored the disjointed realities of their characters’
lives. Female characters were frequently depicted as complex individuals
grappling with their identities amidst societal upheaval. For instance, Virginia
Woolf’s works, such as “Mrs. Dalloway” and “To the Lighthouse,” showcase
women navigating their inner thoughts and societal expectations. Woolf’s
stream-of-consciousness technique allows readers to experience the
multifaceted nature of her female protagonists.
Gender Roles and Constraints: Many modernist texts reflect the
constraints placed on women during this period. Characters like Edna
Pontellier in Kate Chopin’s “The Awakening” illustrate the struggle against
traditional gender roles. Edna’s quest for autonomy highlights the tension
between individual desires and societal expectations, a common theme in
modernist literature.
Existential Themes: The exploration of existential themes is prevalent in
modernist literature, where female characters often confront issues of
meaninglessness and alienation. For example, T.S. Eliot’s “The Waste Land”
features women who embody both despair and resilience within a fragmented
world.
Postmodernist Literature (mid-20th century onwards)
Postmodernism arose as a reaction against modernism, characterized by
skepticism towards grand narratives and an emphasis on playfulness, irony,
and intertextuality.
Deconstruction of Identity: In postmodern literature, female identity is often
portrayed as fluid rather than fixed. Authors like Angela Carter in “The Bloody
Chamber” challenge traditional representations by reinterpreting fairy tales
through feminist lenses that highlight sexual agency and empowerment.
Intertextuality and Parody: Postmodern works frequently employ
intertextual references that subvert established narratives about women. For
instance, Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale” critiques patriarchal
structures while drawing on historical contexts to create a dystopian vision
that resonates with contemporary feminist concerns.
Multiplicity of Perspectives: Postmodern literature embraces multiple
perspectives, allowing for diverse representations of female experiences. This
multiplicity can be seen in works like Toni Morrison’s “Beloved,” where the
narrative incorporates various voices to explore themes of motherhood,
trauma, and racial identity.
Irony and Playfulness: Postmodern authors often use irony to critique
societal norms surrounding gender roles. For example, in works by authors
such as Kathy Acker or Chuck Palahniuk, female characters may engage in
subversive behaviors that challenge conventional expectations while also
reflecting deeper societal critiques.
Genre Conventions:

The representation of female characters in literature has evolved

significantly from the modernist to the postmodernist periods, reflecting social
changes and literary conventions. Modernist literature, influenced by factors
like industrialization, World War I, and cultural norms, features a Stream of
Consciousness narrative technique, fragmentation, and subjectivity. Authors
like Virginia Woolf and James Joyce explored female consciousness through
innovative narrative techniques, but often depicted women within patriarchal
frameworks, limiting their autonomy and societal expectations.

Thematic Analysis:
Here's a thematic analysis framework for exploring the representation of
female characters in modernist and postmodernist literature

Modernist Themes (1900-1945) 1. The Fragmented Self: Disintegration of

feminine identity (Virginia Woolf's "Mrs. Dalloway"). 2. Confinement and
Oppression: Restrictive social roles (Katherine Mansfield's "The Garden
Party"). 3. Feminine Identity and Class: Intersectionality of gender and social
status (E.M. Forster's "Howards End"). 4. The "New Woman": Emerging
independence and autonomy (Djuna Barnes' "Nightwood"). 5. Psychoanalytic
Explorations: Feminine desire, repression, and the unconscious (James
Joyce's "Ulysses"). 6. Motherhood and Maternity: Complexities of feminine
experience (Jean Rhys' "Good Morning, Midnight"). 7. Alienation and
Isolation: Feminine disillusionment with modernity (T.S. Eliot's "The Waste
Land). Postmodernist Themes (1945-1980) 1. Deconstruction of Patriarchy:
Subversion of masculine dominance (Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's
Tale"). 2. Fluid Identity: Blurring of gender boundaries (Angela Carter's "The
Bloody Chamber"). 3. Trauma and Memory: Haunting and recovery in
feminine experience (Toni Morrison's "Beloved"). 4. Consumerism and
Objectification: Commodification of the female body (Don DeLillo's "White
Noise"). 5. Feminine Desire and Agency: Empowerment through self-
definition (Kathy Acker's "Blood and Guts in High School"). 6. Historical
Revisionism: Reclaiming feminine histories (Alice Walker's "The Color
Purple"). 7. Postfeminist Irony: Playful subversion of feminist ideologies (Joan
Didion's "Play It as It Lays). Comparative Themes 1. Modernist vs.
 Postmodernist Representations: Shifts in feminine representation from
fragmentation to fluidity. 2. Intersectionality: Intersections of gender with race,
class, and sexuality. 3. Power Dynamics: Explorations of feminine agency,
resistance, and oppression. 4. Body Politics: Representations of the female
body in modernist and postmodernist contexts. 5. Feminine Experience and
Time: Temporality, memory, and feminine narrative. Theoretical Perspectives
1. Feminist Theory: Simone de Beauvoir, Betty Friedan, Julia Kristeva. 2.
Poststructuralism: Jacques Derrida, Michel Foucault. 3. Psychoanalysis:
Sigmund Freud, Lacan. 4. Postcolonial Theory: Edward Said, Gayatri
Chakravorty Spivak. 5. Queer Theory: Judith Butler, Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick.
Methodology 1. Close Reading: In-depth analysis of selected texts. 2.
Comparative Analysis: Cross-textual comparisons. 3. Theoretical Application:
Integration of feminist, poststructuralist, and psychoanalytic theories. 4.
Historical Contextualization: Consideration of social, cultural, and historical
contexts. Potential Research Questions 1. How do modernist and
postmodernist authors represent feminine identity and agency? 2. What role
do historical contexts play in shaping feminine representation? 3. How do
feminist theories inform interpretations of feminine characters? 4. What
similarities and differences emerge between modernist and postmodernist
representations of female characters? This framework provides a solid
foundation for exploring the complex representations of female characters in
modernist and postmodernist literature.

IV. Comparative Analysis:

Methodology
1. Close Reading: In-depth analysis of selected texts.
2. Comparative Analysis: Cross-textual comparisons.
3. Theoretical Application: Integration of feminist, poststructuralist, and
psychoanalytic theories.

Historical Contextualization: Consideration of social, cultural, and

historical contexts. Modernist Texts (1900-1945)
1. Virginia Woolf: "Mrs. Dalloway" (1925), "To the Lighthouse" (1927)
2. James Joyce: "Ulysses" (1922)
3. Djuna Barnes: "Nightwood" (1936)
4. Jean Rhys: "Good Morning, Midnight" (1939)
5. Katherine Mansfield: "The Garden Party" (1922)

Postmodernist Texts (1945-1980)

1. Margaret Atwood: "The Handmaid's Tale" (1985)
2. Toni Morrison: "Beloved" (1987)
3. Angela Carter: "The Bloody Chamber" (1979)
4. Kathy Acker: "Blood and Guts in High School" (1984)
5. Don DeLillo: "White Noise" (1985)

Comparative Analysis Categories

1. Feminine Identity: Construction, fragmentation, and fluidity.
2. Agency and Autonomy: Exercise of power, independence, and
self-definition.
3. Relationships and Community: Interactions with others, isolation,
and belonging.
4. Body Politics: Representations of the female body, sexuality, and
reproductive rights.
5. Historical Context: Influence of historical events, social
movements, and cultural norms.
 6. Narrative Structure: Non-linear narrative, stream-of-
consciousness, and unreliable narrators.
7. Symbolism and Metaphor: Use of symbols and metaphors to
represent feminine experience.
Theoretical Perspectives
1. Feminist Theory: Simone de Beauvoir, Betty Friedan, Julia
Kristeva.
2. Poststructuralism: Jacques Derrida, Michel Foucault.
3. Psychoanalysis: Sigmund Freud, Lacan.
4. Postcolonial Theory: Edward Said, Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak.
5. Queer Theory: Judith Butler, Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick.

Genre Influence on Themes:

1. Stream-of-Consciousness Fiction: Experimental narratives exploring

feminine inner lives (Virginia Woolf's "Mrs. Dalloway").
2. Psychological Realism: In-depth portrayals of feminine mental states
(James Joyce's "Ulysses").
3. Feminist Fiction: Early feminist critiques of patriarchal society (Djuna
Barnes' "Nightwood").
4. Surrealism: Exploring feminine identity through dreamlike narratives
(Katherine Mansfield's "The Garden Party").
5. Existentialist Fiction: Feminine characters navigating absurdity and
freedom (Jean-Paul Sartre's "No Exit").

Postmodernist Genres (1945-1980)

1. Magical Realism: Blending reality and fantasy to explore
feminine experiences (Toni Morrison's "Beloved").
2. Postfeminist Fiction: Challenging traditional feminist narratives
(Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale").
3. Experimental Fiction: Non-linear narratives and fragmented
feminine identities (Kathy Acker's "Blood and Guts in High School").
4. Science Fiction: Exploring feminine futures and alternate realities
(Ursula K. Le Guin's "The Dispossessed").
5. Metafiction: Self-aware narratives commenting on feminine
representation (Angela Carter's "The Bloody Chamber).

Recurring Themes
1. Feminine Identity: Construction, fragmentation, and fluidity. 2.
Agency and Autonomy: Exercise of power, independence, and self-
definition.
3. Patriarchal Oppression: Critiques of societal constraints.
4. Body Politics: Representations of the female body, sexuality, and
reproductive rights.
5. Motherhood and Maternity: Complexities of feminine experience.
6. Trauma and Memory: Haunting and recovery in feminine
narratives.
7. Intersectionality: Intersections of gender with race, class, and
sexuality.
8. Power Dynamics: Explorations of feminine agency, resistance,
and oppression.
Conclusion:
Evolution of Feminine Representation in Literature
• Modernist literature (1900-1945) depicted female characters as fragmented
and oppressed.
• Postmodernist literature (1945-1980) presented complex, fluid, and
empowered feminine identities.
• Postmodernist authors challenged patriarchal norms, while modernist
authors reinforced patriarchal structures.
• Both periods acknowledged intersections of gender with race, class, and
sexuality.
• Narrative innovations in modernist and postmodernist literature highlighted
subjectivity and multiplicity.

Theoretical Insights
• Feminist Theory: Simone de Beauvoir's concept of "the Other" and Julia
Kristeva's "feminine sublime".
• Poststructuralism: Jacques Derrida's deconstruction and Michel Foucault's
power dynamics.
• Psychoanalysis: Sigmund Freud's and Lacan's theories on feminine desire
and the unconscious.

Historical Context
• Modernism: Influenced by World War I, women's suffrage, and social
change.
• Postmodernism: Shaped by feminist movements, civil rights, and
postcolonialism.

Future Research Directions

• Intersectional Analysis: Further exploration of intersections between gender,
race, class, and sexuality.

Summary of Findings
Modernist Literature (1900-1945): Feminine Identity and Patriarchal
Constraints
• Characters often depicted as disjointed, conflicted, and oppressed.
• Women's roles limited by societal expectations.
• Experimental style explored feminine inner lives.
• Early feminist critiques by authors like Katherine Mansfield and Jean
Rhys.

Postmodernist Literature (1945-1980): Complex, Fluid Feminine Identities

• Female characters exhibited agency, autonomy, and multiplicity.
• Authors challenged traditional gender roles.
• Intersectional explorations examined intersections of gender, race, and
class.
• Non-linear narratives emphasized feminine subjectivity and experience.

Comparative Analysis: Evolution of feminine representation, increased

complexity, shifting narrative styles, and growing intersectional
awareness.

Theoretical Insights: Feminist theory, poststructuralism, and

psychoanalysis.

Future Research Directions: Intersectional analysis, transnational

perspectives, and contemporary literature analysis.

Limitations:
 Modernist and postmodernist feminism have faced various limitations,
including restricted perspectives, elitism, stereotyping, lack of diversity,
psychoanalytic reductionism, romanticization of oppression, and
experimentalism. Modernist feminism primarily focused on male authors,
neglecting working-class and marginalized experiences, and focusing on
upper-class women. Postmodernist feminism disintegrated feminine identity,
focusing on individualism and collective struggles. It also marginalized women
of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and disabilities. Postfeminist backlash
challenged feminist gains and reinforcing patriarchal norms. Experimentalism
prioritized literary innovation over reader comprehension. Shared limitations
include Eurocentrism, heteronormativity, classism, ableism, and ageism.
Future directions for feminism include intersectional feminism, decolonizing
literature, inclusive representation, critical feminist theory, and expanding
definitions of femininity. Addressing these limitations involves diversifying
authorship, incorporating interdisciplinary approaches, critical literary
analysis, and inclusive publishing practices. Future directions include
incorporating diverse perspectives, decolonizing literature, and engaging with
contemporary feminist debates.

Further Research:
Modernist and Postmodernist Literature Analysis

Modernist Literature (1900-1945)

• Examines Feminine Identity Fragmentation in works like Virginia Woolf's
"Mrs. Dalloway" and James Joyce's "Ulysses".
• Examines Patriarchal Constraints in works like Katherine Mansfield and
Jean Rhys.
• Explores Stream-of-Consciousness Narratives and Female Modernist
Writers.

Postmodernist Literature (1945-1980)

• Examines Complex Feminine Identities in works like Margaret Atwood's
"The Handmaid's Tale" and Angela Carter's "The Bloody Chamber".
• Examines Subversion of Patriarchal Norms in works like Kathy Acker and
Toni Morrison.
• Investigates intersections of gender, race, class, and sexuality in
postmodernist literature.

Comparative Analysis
• Compares modernist and postmodernist representations of female
characters.
• Analyzes impact of narrative styles on feminine representation.
• Examines historical context and female experience in feminine
representation.

Theoretical Perspectives
• Uses Feminist Theory, Poststructuralism, Psychoanalysis, and Queer
Theory.

Underrepresented Areas
• Analyzes representations of women of color, LGBTQ+ characters, disability
and chronic illness in feminine characters.

Methodologies
• Uses Close Reading, Comparative Analysis, Theoretical Application, and
Historical Contextualization.

Potential Research Questions

• How modernist and postmodernist authors represent feminine identity and
agency.
• What role do historical contexts play in shaping feminine representation?
• How do feminist theories inform interpretations of feminine characters?

Bibliography:
Modernist and Postmodernist Literature Overview

Modernist Literature (1900-1945):

• Includes works by Virginia Woolf, James Joyce, Djuna Barnes, Katherine
Mansfield, Jean Rhys, Gertrude Stein, and H.D. (Hilda Doolittle).
• Includes works like "Mrs. Dalloway", "Ulysses", "Nightwood", "The Garden
Party", "Good Morning, Midnight", "The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas",
and "HERmione".

Postmodernist Literature (1945-1980):

• Includes works by Margaret Atwood, Toni Morrison, Angela Carter, Kathy
Acker, Don DeLillo, Alice Walker, and Joyce Carol Oates.

Critical Studies:
• Includes works by Elaine Showalter, Sandra Gilbert, and Susan Gubar.
• Includes works by Julia Kristeva, Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, and Judith
Butler.

Theoretical Works:
• Includes works by Simone de Beauvoir, Betty Friedan, Jacques Derrida,
Michel Foucault, and Jacques Lacan.

Journals:
• Includes Feminist Studies, Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society,
Modern Fiction Studies, Postmodern Culture, and Women's Studies
Quarterly.

Online Resources:
• Includes Modernist Studies Association, Postmodern Culture, Feminist
Theory Website, and The Modern Word.