Volume 19, No. 1, 2022
Patriarchy Or Feminism: A Butlerian Critique Of Anna Burns’ Milkman
Javed Khan , Dr. Samina Ashfaq
Abstract
This paper explores the complex gendered power relations by applying Butler’s (1990) theory of gender performativity to analyze the gendered discourses Burns’ Milkman (2018). The chief argument of the paper is to expose the social assumptions that naturalize, mystify and perpetuate the unjust gendered norms. The analysis focuses on which Burns’ fictional characters sustain and which characters subvert the unjust power relations among members of the society. Endorsing Butler’s notions of gender, Burns suggests modifications in the existing gender norms and advocates moderate way of social relationship based on symmetrical power relations avoiding the both extremes of patriarchal domination and feminist convictions of overthrowing heterosexual power structure or to abolish gender altogether. The paper finds out that heroine of novel, middle sister, switches between social determinism and free will and finally she is able to find her way within the social constraints. It means that she is not a subjugated being but she has a challenging spirit. This paper, therefore, argues that Burns supports individualism and Milkman has a humanizing appeal.
Pages: 7300-7315
Keywords: In today’s world, the issues of gender discrimination, violence against women and abuse of power are prevalent almost in every society. Colonialism in Northern Ireland resulted in segregation of society into the colonizer and the colonized.