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Title THE MALE GAZE AND PROMISE OF HAPPINESS: A PSYCHOFEMINIST STUDY OF J.M. COETZEE’S DISGRACE (1999) AND K.E. RUSSEL’S MY DARK VANESSA (2020)

Author(s) Muhammad waqas

Abstract Title: The Male Gaze and Promise of Happiness: A Psychofeminist Study of J.M. Coetzee’s Disgrace (1999) and K.E. Russel’s My Dark Vanessa (2020) This study investigates the intricate dynamics of sexual consent and manipulation in patriarchal power structures through a psycho-feminist analysis of J.M. Coetzee’s Disgrace (1999) and Kate Elizabeth Russell’s My Dark Vanessa (2020). The primary objective is to explore how internalised patriarchal ideologies distort perceptions of agency and consent within relationships marked by pronounced power imbalances. Drawing on feminist and psychoanalytic frameworks—particularly the theoretical contributions of Luce Irigaray and Sara Ahmed—the research engages in close textual analysis to uncover the psychological subjugation and manipulation experienced by the female protagonists, Melanie and Vanessa. These characters’ encounters reveal how patriarchal narratives shape women’s understanding of intimacy, often conflating coercion with genuine consent and thus rendering autonomy a fragile, if not illusory, construct. The comparative approach highlights the temporal and cultural differences between the two novels while underlining their thematic continuity in representing gendered exploitation. Attention is given to narrative voice, character development, and the ways in which both texts negotiate the tension between personal agency and systemic oppression. The analysis also situates the works within broader feminist discourse on sexual ethics, trauma, and power, considering how literary depictions can challenge or reinforce prevailing norms. The findings emphasize the persistent role of patriarchal norms in blurring the boundaries between consent and coercion, sustaining cycles of abuse under the guise of mutual agreement. This underscores the necessity for heightened critical awareness of how societal structures perpetuate exploitation. Future research could extend this inquiry by adopting intersectional perspectives, examining representations of consent across diverse cultural contexts, and analysing emerging literary responses to shifting conversations around sexuality and power in the 21st century.

Type Thesis/Dissertation

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Department English

Language English

Publication Date 2025-08-06

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