The Feminist Ambivalence:Collapse Of A Female Utopia In Elizabeth Gaskell's Cranford

This thesis examines the unique feminism in Cranford through a close reading of the text by combining with Marxist feminism.Finally,the conclusion can be drawn that Cranford ladies resist the infiltration of the patriarchal force and the industrial society by excluding men from their life;however,in reality this community cannot wall itself off from the irresistible trend of modernization,and the ladies are not able to live an independent life without the help of men.Their ignorance and aversion against the outside world are after all the result of women's oppression from the patriarchal and industrial society,which sets Cranford ladies in an awkward situation where they resist masculine power but have to rely on it at the same time.It reflects the dual nature in Mrs.Gaskell's feminist consciousness.She praises the gentility and friendship between the ladies and challenges the patriarchal society through ladies' collective moral authority;but she also realizes that the life in Cranford is incompatible with modern society,and that only by the hand of the patriarchal and industrial forces can bring vitality to the town.The main body of the thesis consists of three chapters.The first chapter analyzes different feminine forces existing inside Cranford.The second chapter discusses the changes in Cranford brought by the invaders from the outside world.They come from different classes,and bring changes in all aspects of life.Among them,the male invaders especially bring the town the shock from patriarchal and industrial society.The third chapter analyzes the reasons why the unique kind of feminism is formed in Cranford and Mrs.Gaskell's paradoxical attitudes towards women's independency and social positions within a social context.