Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Identifier

242

Date

2011

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Major

English

Concentration

Literature

Committee Chair

Lorinda B Cohoon

Committee Member

Jeffrey Scraba

Committee Member

Shelby Crosby

Abstract

The novels Twilight and New Moon, written by Stephenie Meyer, present a barrier in media portrayal of feminist movements. Through the power of media, patriarchal dominated societies continue the reinforcement of maintaining women as figures of ownership. Examining Meyer’s characters, writing, and plot devices decode the underlying patriarchal ideals being pressed upon adolescent readers. Media influence upon society is a powerful means to promote the romanticizing of anti-feminist works, such as Twilight and New Moon. Understanding what comprises these characters as anti-feminist is crucial to understanding their influence upon society, and reveals the unknowing compliance many female adolescents perceive and idolize. Meyer’s protagonists demonstrate patriarchal behaviorisms that are to be accepted as normal. Creating a hollow character depicting normalcy is the main tool utilized by Meyer to romanticize the negativity of male domination over female figures. By researching the textual evidence in Twilight and New Moon through the ideology of feminist theorists, such as Simone de Beauvoir, readers can concur that these novels are promoting patriarchal views.

Comments

Data is provided by the student.

Library Comment

Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to the local University of Memphis Electronic Theses & dissertation (ETD) Repository.

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