Feminism in Margaret Laurence’s The Diviners Essay

The Funk and Wagnalls Standard Desk Dictionary defines feminism as, A doctrine advocating the granting of the homogeneous social, political and economic rights to women as the ones granted to men. Feminists make out woman as an oppressed group, those who must present themselves as individuals and kind beings. In Margaret Laurences The Diviners, Morag Gunns struggle for female person self-representation is seen as she writes active her life. This is saluten through Morags desires for lust and profanity, that which females should keep hidden. Furthermore, Morag breaks social boundaries by piece of music her impudent from the female stead. Finally, Laurence allows the reader to become sympathetic for Morag as she is marginalized in a predominantly male society. Margaret Laurence shows the intricacy that is feminism through the image of the assertive, yet vulnerable Morag Gunn. Morag is unlike many females as she allows herself to curse and show lust. Knowing it is socially unac ceptable, Morag rejects swearing as a teenager Morag does non swear. If you swear at fourteen it only makes you look cheap, and she is not cheap, unsaved it. (126)However, as Morag becomes more mature she revises her opinion Shit. Bloody bloody christian hell. And the hell with not swearing, too. (133) By being vulgar, Laurence shows Morags feminist attributes by having her go against the social norm of her time. Finally, throughout the novel Morag becomes more alert of her lustful desires and offers them bluntly. Alia Amer wrote about a womans lust in society Women are not allowed to look closely at a man, however, or to have a lustful or provocative look, or to look deliberately at them when they hap compile to be in the same setting (such as on a bus, or in a room). (Amer) Laurence contradicts this statement as Morags sexual awakenings are seen as empowering to the female. In conclusion, Morag Gunns vulgarity is a representation of Margaret Laurences feministic ideology.Morag s hostile identities of both a woman and a writer provide an watch on female roles in her own society. As a female author Morag makes an attempt at self-representation (Smith) though, women have historically hesitated to attempt to the penthe woman writers self-contemplation may be tell to have begun with a searching glance into the mirror of the male-inscribed literary textbook (Gilbart and Gubar). Laurence challenges this through Morags determination to finish her novel and writing the novel from a predominantly female stance. Finally, at the end of the novel, Laurence shows Morags operation Morag returned to the house, to write the remaining private and fictional words, and to set down her title. (525) Morag finishing her novel is a representation of how a female can break through in the representative male life (Smith) of a writer.To conclude, Laurence challenges male identity by identifying Morag as a woman writer, therefore giving a more feminist view on society. Final ly, Laurence creates benevolence for Morag as she is marginalized in a predominantly male society. Wayne Booth states that, The solution to the problem of maintaining readers sympathy is to use the heroine herself as a kind of narrator, though in ternary person, reporting on her own experience. (Booth) Through Laurences narrative technique, having Morag as the narrator, sympathy is created for the female perspective. Furthermore, Morags downfall for making assumptions causes the reader to feel sympathetic for her consciousness.Morag perceived that what she had taken to be hostility had been in position self-reproach on his part. (278) Laurence creates empathy as the female mind is presented as solitary. Lastly, the whimsey of sympathy is created when Morag asks her absent husband for releaseness I need you, too, Brooke. I care about you. I cant stand thisBrooke, forgive me. May we forgive one another for what neither of us could help. (359) Laurence shows how Morag is tranqui llize dependant on a male figure and as a result creates sympathy for her. Overall, sympathy is used to identify with the female perspective in a male-dependant society.In conclusion, Margaret Laurence shows the complexity of women through the contrast of lower status and self-confidence seen in Morag Gunn. Laurence creates a character with lustful desires and profane ways that are regarded as socially unacceptable by woman in her society. Morag challenges the, at the time, conflicting roles of being both a woman and a writer by writing from a predominantly female perspective and finally, Laurence creates sympathy for Morag as she struggles in an over-bearing male society. Overall, Margaret Laurence challenges masculinity and allows femininity to prevail.