A Critical Study Of Radical Feminism In The Secret Life Of Bees

This thesis focuses on Kidd's first novel and masterpiece The Secrete Life of Bees, which was nominated for The 2006 International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award. The thesis makes a critical study on radical feminist ideologies in the novel by close reading. Firstly, in contrast to the marginalized male images in the gynocentric community, male images in the patriarchal society are distorted and uglified, which expresses the strong and vivid idea of anti-patriarchy. Secondly, by comparing the self-sufficient women in the gynocentric community with the oppressed women in the patriarchal society, the thesis finds that women in the gynocentric community unite themselves and are independent from men. By fighting against love and marriage, and for abortion, these women are seeking for autonomy. Thirdly, to fight against patriarchy, four tactics are applied in the novel to communicate radical feminist ideologies, which are the construction of female spiritual leader, the establishment of a gynocentric community, the origination of a female religion, and the creation of a new women-centered language. These tactics can be summed up in one phrase, the construction of matriarchy. As presented in the novel, women consider"mother"and goddess as their spiritual leaders, and design a gynocentric community where their female religion and a new women-centered language are constructed for themselves. However, firstly, it is impossible for women to get rid of men thoroughly, since it is known that"blood is thicker than water."Furthermore, women are sympathetic and likely to fall into the plight of traditional femininity. This trait might cause the incompleteness in cultivating new femininity. As the thesis concludes, radical feminism thoroughly subverts male authority and constructs matriarchy which is another"patriarchy"in a sense, because the two social systems both land in a predicament of extremity. So, to get rid of sex opposition and to achieve a harmonious society, men and women should respect each other and share the responsibilities.