Subversion Of Traditional Gender Roles: A Study Of How I Learned To Drive And The Mineola Twins

Paula Anne Vogel (1951 —) is one of the leading voices in contemporary American theatre. Her concern and deep thoughts of sensitive issues prompt her to create numerous influential works. The Mineola Twins published in 1996 unfolds the diametrically opposed lives of two twin sisters, including plenty of description and discussion of sensitive topics, such as politics, drug addiction and homosexuality. In 1998, How I Learned to Drive won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. It pays close attention to pedophilia and tells a complex "love story" between Li’l Bit and her uncle Peck. The subversion of traditional gender roles can be found in both plays, indicating the instability of traditional gender roles and the possibility of subversion.Based on the Performativity Theory of Judith Butler (1956—) and close reading of two plays, this thesis analyzes the images of traditional gender roles and the subversion in The Mineola Twins and How I Learned to Drive in the perspective of Postmodern Feminism. It endeavors to study women’s self-discovery,the rebuilding of new female images and gender relationships with the help of Judith Butler’s gender theories, aiming to get a better understanding of Paula Vogel’s writing intentions.This thesis mainly consists of four chapters. First of all, an analysis of the construction of traditional gender roles and specific embodiment in two plays is offered.Such as the traditional "good girl" Myrna,the confused girl Li’l Bit and Li’l Bit’s mother and grandmother, they are all oppressed women under male power. Big Papa and Peck are the representative male images with great power. Then in light of Judith Butler’s Performativity Theory, Chapter Two points out the subversion of traditional gender roles,such as the rebellious "bad girl" Myra,disillusioned Myrna,the struggling girl Li’l Bit and the man with fading power—Peck. The subversion of traditional roles proves the performativity of gender. The following chapter reflects on women’s self-discovery and the rebuilding of new female images and new gender relationships. The last chapter makes an analysis of Vogel’s exceptional writing techniques and views. Writing techniques, such as cross-dressing used in The Mineola Twins and ambiguity in How I Learned to Drive are both discussed. Besides, Vogel’s sexual orientation and life experiences are proved to be the main causes of the existence of the Postmodern Feminism features in two plays.In the end, based on Judith Butler’s Performativity Theory and the analysis of the diverse images, this thesis proves the existence of Postmodern Feminism features in The Mineola Twins and How I Learned to Drive. What’s more, it also verifies the performativity of gender, the instability of gender construction and the inevitability of subversion. Vogel endeavors to alter the public’s stereotypical notion and moral standard,and calls for a new inclusive society without bias.