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Southern Belle: Grotesque Distortion of Its Archetype in Sharp Objects
Šindlerová, Zuzana ; Ulmanová, Hana (advisor) ; Veselá, Pavla (referee)
The aim of this thesis is to analyze the grotesque distortion of the Southern Belle and Southern Lady archetype in the contemporary novel Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn. The novel draws from the literary tradition of Southern grotesque and introduces strong female characters that are judged from the perspective of feminist literary criticism and feminist theory. Furthermore, the novel works within the context of Southern Bell mythology, which functions as a very essential archetype to the culture and mental framework of the American South. Because the setting of the novel is placed within a very specific historical context of the American South region, some historical and sociological traditions, such as patriarchy and plantation system, are explained. Introductory chapter establishes the historical and literary context for the thesis analysis. Southern mentality and its distinctiveness from other American regions, especially from the North, are introduced. Southern social and economic structure is explained through the definition of patriarchy and plantation economy system. The mythology of Southern Belle, Southern Lady and Southern Gentleman is formulated, and this is set within the context of Southern literary tradition. The second chapter sets the novel within the context of feminist literary criticism...
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Southern Belle: Grotesque Distortion of Its Archetype in Sharp Objects
Šindlerová, Zuzana ; Ulmanová, Hana (advisor) ; Veselá, Pavla (referee)
The aim of this thesis is to analyze the grotesque distortion of the Southern Belle and Southern Lady archetype in the contemporary novel Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn. The novel draws from the literary tradition of Southern grotesque and introduces strong female characters that are judged from the perspective of feminist literary criticism and feminist theory. Furthermore, the novel works within the context of Southern Bell mythology, which functions as a very essential archetype to the culture and mental framework of the American South. Because the setting of the novel is placed within a very specific historical context of the American South region, some historical and sociological traditions, such as patriarchy and plantation system, are explained. Introductory chapter establishes the historical and literary context for the thesis analysis. Southern mentality and its distinctiveness from other American regions, especially from the North, are introduced. Southern social and economic structure is explained through the definition of patriarchy and plantation economy system. The mythology of Southern Belle, Southern Lady and Southern Gentleman is formulated, and this is set within the context of Southern literary tradition. The second chapter sets the novel within the context of feminist literary criticism...
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