Ideal of Womanhood: An Analysis of Gender in Plath’s The Bell Jar and Shafak’s Black Milk

Abstract

The idealized concepts of womanhood (gender roles for women), a significant issue in contemporary times as well as in fiction writings, is deeply rooted in socio-cultural practices.  This idealized notion of a womanhood, particularly the inflexible division of labor in society, gives rise to a multitude of complex challenges and dilemmas for women, exerting a substantial impact on their autonomy, mental well-being, and overall quality of life. As it’s an unexplored area on the selected texts, this study aims to do the gender-oriented exploration of Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar and Elif Shafak's Black Milk, examining how the depiction of the ideal woman is portrayed in these literary works. Employing Eagly's (2011) Social Role Theory and Murphy's (1972) character analysis model, the study investigates the complex interplay between societal expectations and the protagonists' experiences. The analysis reveals a distinct presentation of inflexible gender roles, evidenced by cognitive indecision, a sense of confinement arising from restricted roles, and a notable impact on gender identity. The research concludes that the enduring prevalence of these gender roles across the depicted periods underscores their lasting influence on women's lives, providing a complex narrative of the development and challenges of gender roles within the scrutinized literary works.