Assertion of Female Individuality in Willa Cather's A Lost Lady

Abstract

My dissertation entitled "Assertion of Female Individuality in Willa Cather's A Lost Lady" subverts the role model of female that is devised by male ideology. Cather's presentation of autonomous female protagonist who asserts her individuality dismantling the complacent roles of female in the society aspires to establish female voice in the society. Cather's hero Marian Forrester disrupts the old patriarchal walls erected by male ideology to thwart women from any progressive activities. Marian does whatever she likes without thinking what will be the society's response. Depicting Marian twenty five years younger than her husband, Cather allows her hero to go beyond the limited territory of patriarchy. Marian remains busy on changing her lovers leaving her sick husband on his death bed to assert her individuality. She controls not only domestic chores but also undertakes business and financial affairs. Cather by portraying Marian as the hero of the novel proves that freedom and responsibility, that are historically denied to them, could be achieved by women.