Women, power of collectivity and magical realism in Allende and Kurniawan’s novels: an answer to patriarchal subjectivity

Abstract

This thesis demonstrates the subjectivity illustrated by the patriarchal society and counteracted by women for equity and true democracy. With a close reading of the novels The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende and Beauty is a Wound by Eka Kurniawan, the shortcomings in such a society are identified in this paper. Along this line, the Hegelian pattern of thesis and anti-thesis is traced. Respectively, forces and counter-forces prevail in both books. With underlying hegemony, patriarchy interlinked to colonial, post-colonial, neo-colonial and imperialist times stands with stubborn authority. As per the Hegelian dialectics are of concern, feminism and magical realism form the counterforce to rigorous patriarchal systems. Since the patriarchal system has failed to set a balanced or temperate form of authority that leads and nurtures, it becomes necessary for feminism to intervene with the Kantian ethics of principle- the contextual use of reason and emotion. Magical realism bridges the real and the fantastic together. Feminism and magical realism combined, it manifests a new dimension of reality where anything can be possible. They also contribute to altruism and bestow privilege among the marginalized. Meanwhile, magical realism makes the impossible possible. This forms a new synthesis to provide objectivity and impartiality to the masses. The authors delineate not the voices of the few with zenithal power, but the multiplicity of voices and perspectives. Some of the patriarchal voices are ultra-conservative or coercive and nonetheless strong however insidious they are. There are also the voices sprouting from women and their empathetic influences on family and civic society. They invoke freedom from hegemony and thus, multiple voices are heard allowing a more holistic representation to stand.