Quest for Female Identity in Margaret Atwood`sCat`s Eye
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Department of English
Abstract
This research explores a female`s search for identity in Margaret Atwood`s
Cat`s Eye. The protagonist of the novel Elaine Risely has a strong desire to be a
painter but her father and her husband Jon alwaysrestricther creativity and standas a
barrier in her creativity. They are the representative of the patriarchy and patriarchal
society creates the utmost obstaclefor the female. Elaine is fedupand tied with
society which does not lether makeself decision and createown identity. But Elaine
resistsagainst the patriarchal rules for feminine freedom and to create her own
identity asa successful painter. Elaine is victimized physically and mentally by male
characters and through her consistent effort female identity and individuality is
regained. She fightsfor the gender inequality and cross the limitations created by
male in the society. At first she leaves her parents and lives alone,laterafter marriage
she also leaves her husband who always oppressedher and lives with her daughter.
Elaine represents the ideology of female and tries to redraw the boundary of
patriarchy whichexisted in patriarchal society.