REALISM, NATURALISM, AND FEMINIST LITERARY CRITICISM IN THE NOVEL “JENNIE GERHARDT” BY THEODORE DREISER
Keywords:
Realism, naturalism, feminist criticism, social inequality, American literature, characterization, gender roles.Abstract
This article examines the representation of realism, naturalism, and feminist perspectives in the novel “Jennie Gerhardt” by Theodore Dreiser. The study analyzes how Th.Dreiser’s narrative technique reflects the principles of literary realism and naturalism while simultaneously revealing the gendered limitations imposed on women in late nineteenth-century American society. Through literary analysis and feminist criticism, the research explores the protagonist Jennie Gerhardt as a character shaped by social forces, economic pressures, and patriarchal structures. The findings indicate that Th.Dreiser’s depiction of Jennie reflects the deterministic worldview typical of naturalist literature while also exposing the social injustice experienced by women. The article argues that the novel combines social realism with psychological depth, thereby creating a complex representation of gender, morality, and social inequality.
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