A Cut That Scars: Alice Walker's Novel Possessing the Secret of Joy and Female Genital Cutting Open Access
Levy, Katie Rose (2012)
Published
Abstract
Abstract
A Cut That Scars: Alice Walker's Novel Possessing the Secret of
Joy and Female Genital Cutting
Walker presents many of the complex issues regarding female genital
cutting in her novel Possessing the Secret of Joy. Of utmost
importance, however, is the emphasis not just on the physical
deterioration but also on the psychological destruction of
mutilated women. My honors project encompasses an in depth analysis
of these themes as Walker portrays them. Walker indicts patriarchal
society as necessitating the cutting of women. My first chapter,
therefore, analyzes both Tashi's struggle to appease the Olinka men
and her desire to maintain her unique cultural identity. Because
Tashi views her circumcision as upholding Olinka tradition, her
decision to be circumcised is one of the ways she strives to fight
impending threats to the survival of her tribe. Walker criticizes
the notion that FGC upholds tradition and cultural uniqueness. This
chapter, therefore, analyzes cultural tradition and introduces many
of Walker's scholarly inspirations on FGC and much of the
corresponding thought regarding the perceived traditional nature of
the practice. The second chapter analyzes Walker's radical
indictment of women, particularly mothers, who force their own
daughters to undergo the painful procedure. This chapter is
substantiated with complimentary readings that analyze the
disillusionment of the mother figure. Lastly, the final chapter
examines Tashi's psychological journey, which Walker introduces
through a Jungian lens. Each chapter seeks to address unique motifs
that are inherent to the complex nature of FGC. The common theme,
however, both in Walker's novel and in other scholarly publications
on FGC is resistance. My honors thesis, therefore, brings to light
the meditation on choice and the statement to resist that is
intrinsic to Possessing the Secret of Joy. In so doing, it
is my hope to highlight that Possessing the Secret of Joy is
itself a manifesto calling for resistance and change.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Synopsis...1
Chapter One: Review of the Literature...3
Chapter Two: Patriarchal Society and the Perpetuation of Female
Genital Cutting...27
Chapter Three: Debunking the Myth: the Imperfect Mother...51
Chapter Four: A Jungian Lens: The Psychology of Female Genital
Cutting...74
Conclusion...96
Works Cited...97
About this Honors Thesis
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