Critique of Objectification of Women in Greene’sThe Heart of the Matter

Abstract

The Heart of the Matter by Graham Greene depicts the notion of objectification, undermining and negative images constructed about female in the novel. By applying the feminist theory, the researcher has examined the incidents and events which make a clear point of objectification, while undermining the negative images of women. This novel contains the story of female characters who are undermined and objectified by the male character Henry. He uses the female characters as sex objects or pleasure things and defines them as weak, sexual, dependent, irrational, erotic, inferior, bread bakers among others and takes himself as powerful, independent, rational, superior, decisive, ordered and subject. Female characters like Louise and Helen are being objectified and undermined by the male character Henry in the name of pity, love and responsibility. He undermines his wife abandoning her from husband’s love and rights and takes his daughter figure Helen as a mistress to commit adultery. And to escape from his sin and shame of adultery he commits suicide comparing himself to God Christ for his wife Louise and his Mistress Helen’s peace, welfare and happiness. In fact, the male character Henry commits suicide when his superiority is in crisis and projects his image as deliverer for the women.