Invisible Gender Discipline,Visible Resistance

Sarah Waters(1966—)occupies an important position in contemporary British literature.Tipping the Velvet is her first lesbian-themed novel set in the Victorian era.Since its publication in 1998,this novel has gained much academic attention.However,due to its homoerotic theme,studies on Tipping the Velvet both at home and abroad are inadequate,which mainly focus on feminism,narrative strategies and lesbian theme.Even from these perspectives,a deeper and more comprehensive analysis is still in demand.In fact,the heroine Nancy’s exploring of her gender identity has gone through a difficult process from blind obedience to self-awareness,and finally rose up against gender discipline.In the process of Nancy’s exploring of gender identity,it is clear to see the operation of gender power at the micro level.Therefore,based on Foucault’s power theory,this thesis aims to explore the following issues: how does gender discipline operate in Victorian Era? What is the predicament of lesbians under the control of gender discipline in Tipping the Velvet? How do marginalized lesbians resist gender discipline,gain independence and liberation,and realize individual’s aesthetics of existence?Firstly,this thesis introduces the Victorian gender discipline in general.Secondly,from the operation of disciplinary power,it analyzes how gender discipline works in the following three aspects: social internalized gaze,normalizing judgement and examination;and further reveals the predicaments of lesbians under the oppression of gender discipline in Tipping the Velvet.Finally,this thesis expounds how Florence and Nancy,the heroines in Tipping the Velvet,resist gender discipline with their own efforts and the help of others in order to gain physical and spiritual liberation,and thus finally to achieve individual’s aesthetics of existence.From Foucault’s power theory,this thesis reflects the survival dilemmas of lesbians in the Victorian era,and makes a detailed analysis of Nancy’s process to explore her gender identity.It is also revealed that even in the Victoria age when gender discipline was very strict,lesbians can still obtain their gender identities and maintain their independence,so as to realize individuals’ aesthetics of existence through their unique ways.This thesis not only enables readers to have a deeper understanding of Tipping the Velvet from the perspective of power theory,but also encourages us,“Other Victorians”,to pay attention to the gender discipline mechanism in modern society.