Female Masculinity as Resistance to Patriarchy in Milan Kundera’s Identity

Abstract

The present thesis explores the female masculinity in Milan Kundera’s Identity, applying gender criticism, especially female masculinity. As theory of alternative masculinity, female masculinity locates masculinity outside the male body. The women having strong determination, courage, resistance, advance thinking is regarded as masculine woman. Judith Halberstam and Judith Butler are the major theorists discussed in this research. The thesis will introduce their concepts to interpret the book Identity that provides a new identity to Chantal, the female protagonist of the novel. The role of Chantal is not supportive with the traditional female identity, as weak, passionate, docile, kind-hearted, inferior woman. She is portrayed like as bold, strong hearted, decision maker and courageous. She stands as rebellion figure as an independent individual with unique identity woman in contemporary Czechoslovakian society. She resists all the established patriarchal norms and condition of the society denying her husband without any fault. She blames her husband unnecessarily for the untimely demise of her son. She takes the rapturous delight in having an affair with a man much younger than herself. She feels suffocated to live in a marital life. The strong determination and courage of Chantal has remained until the last moment of her life; just for the slightest provocation she leaves her extramarital partner. She spends her whole life fighting against unjust practices. Keyword: Masculinity, feminism, resistance, patriarchy, independence, new identity