In search of an individual identity : a psychoanalytical examination of motivational forces behind the identity development of female characters in the selected works of Violette Leduc and Eileen Chang

Violette Leduc (1907-72) and Eileen Chang (1920-95) are writers from different societies (France and China respectively) and distinctly different backgrounds. They are brought together in this thesis for their portrayal of women characters in pursuit of a sense of identity and fulfilment in societie...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Cheng, Helen Hui-Yueh
Published: University of Kent 2017
Online Access:https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.733297
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Summary:Violette Leduc (1907-72) and Eileen Chang (1920-95) are writers from different societies (France and China respectively) and distinctly different backgrounds. They are brought together in this thesis for their portrayal of women characters in pursuit of a sense of identity and fulfilment in societies where gender roles can function as pseudo-destinies, which can, to varying degrees, be relativized, questioned and resisted. Feminist and psychoanalytic theories, as well as post-Maslowian perspectives help to throw light on the kind of obstacles to fulfilment which the women characters are portrayed as encountering.