Feminist and Racial Discourses in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and Ann Radcliffe's The Mysteries of Udolpho

Abstract

The present dissertation entitled "Feminist and Racial Discourses in Mary Shelley'sFrankensteinand Ann Radcliffe'sThe Mysteries of Udolpho"focuses on the minor, marginal (female and race) protagonists who struggle in search of their identity, equality and rights as other in the society. I have chosen two different texts with same issues to make my research more comprehensive and effective. I have taken the ideas from Michael Foucault, M.H. Abrams and many prominent feminist thinkers. I've tried to prove feminism and racism as a discourse from the perspective of Foucault's power discourse. Power plays vital role in creating different discourses in society. My study has tried to challenge such power and discursive meaning given to females and races who are regarded as secondary, subordinate, inferiorand sub- human, passive, savage, unintelligent or as a whole 'other' and 'marginal'. I've analyzed the power structure which has destroyed the real identity by imposing new identity as 'other' and 'marginal' despite the reality. Thus, the present study analyzes how females and races are marginalized and made other. How it has become the feminist and racial discourses in the light of present situation. It as a whole rejects the hierarchical structure of patriarchy and masterminded discourse as a master over servant or as a white over black.