Women of the Outdoors: Ecofeminism in Marilynne Robison's Housekeeping
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Junior
Major
English
Minor
Information Studies
Presentation Format
Oral Presentation
Abstract/Description
Ecofeminism is defined as the combination of ecological concerns and feminine ones to expose the issues within patriarchal society. It is important to remember that although most of the time nature and women are seen working together within texts to reject male-dominated societies, there are some exceptions to this idea. This paper will take an Ecofeminist approach to argue how the women in the novel, Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson, accept or reject nature into their lives to either fight or follow the societal stereotypes of women in the household. The focus of the argument will be on the main characters, Ruth, Sylvie, and Lucille and how their interactions with nature shape the way that they react to their roles within their home. The paper will include a background on the importance of nature in literature and the gender roles that women are expected to follow. The introduction will be followed with a thorough examination of each character and how they utilize nature to remove themselves from the pressure of societal standards on women. It is also important that this paper compare each of the women discussed to each other to see how their actions influence one another. This will strengthen the argument that this novel uses nature to present feministic ideas to the women. The paper will include a rebuttal that will further support the argument, and then conclude with final ideas about how nature and gender roles function together within the novel. This argument brings a unique voice to Housekeeping by combining two topics that have been heavily researched and discussed. An Ecofeminist examination of this novel will bring a new perspective to the scholarly research that already exists. This will generate more areas for debate within the scholarship as well.
Women of the Outdoors: Ecofeminism in Marilynne Robison's Housekeeping
Ecofeminism is defined as the combination of ecological concerns and feminine ones to expose the issues within patriarchal society. It is important to remember that although most of the time nature and women are seen working together within texts to reject male-dominated societies, there are some exceptions to this idea. This paper will take an Ecofeminist approach to argue how the women in the novel, Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson, accept or reject nature into their lives to either fight or follow the societal stereotypes of women in the household. The focus of the argument will be on the main characters, Ruth, Sylvie, and Lucille and how their interactions with nature shape the way that they react to their roles within their home. The paper will include a background on the importance of nature in literature and the gender roles that women are expected to follow. The introduction will be followed with a thorough examination of each character and how they utilize nature to remove themselves from the pressure of societal standards on women. It is also important that this paper compare each of the women discussed to each other to see how their actions influence one another. This will strengthen the argument that this novel uses nature to present feministic ideas to the women. The paper will include a rebuttal that will further support the argument, and then conclude with final ideas about how nature and gender roles function together within the novel. This argument brings a unique voice to Housekeeping by combining two topics that have been heavily researched and discussed. An Ecofeminist examination of this novel will bring a new perspective to the scholarly research that already exists. This will generate more areas for debate within the scholarship as well.