Критика гендерных стереотипов в женской викторианской литературе

Abstract

This article examines the difference between methods of gender stereotype criticism in the novels of E. Gaskell (“Wives and Daughters”) and G. Eliot (“The Mill on the Floss”). The research is based on gender theory and the literary history of bildungsroman, or the coming-of-age novel, especially its female variation as presented in the aforementioned novels. The author conveys an in-depth analysis of plot structure and the specifics of appointed genre. It is done to determine the alternate ways in which Gaskell and Eliot develop the idea of female ‘bildung’ in the novels and present the criticism of gender stereotypes which hinder that ‘bildung’. As a result, it is postulated that the major difference in the handling of the “hero — society” conflict in the novels is the reason for the different critical views of Eliot and Gaskell towards gender stereotypes of the Victorian era.