Date of Award
5-2018
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
English
Committee Member
Dr. Dominic Mastroianni, Committee Chair
Committee Member
Dr. Susanna Ashton
Committee Member
Dr. Jonathan Beecher Field
Abstract
This paper addresses the role that Henry James’ Washington Square plays in creating spaces of power through the medium of gazing. The first section of this paper examines the male-centric arguments of the book, namely that of the social and economic spheres, and how the two main male characters inhabit and manipulate these areas. The majority of this paper is concerned with the play of the female gaze and how certain female characters in the novel, specifically Catherine, are able to train their own gazes and then come, in turn, to manipulate the gazes of the men who seek to abuse them. This paper is a study of powerplays and offers a unique role to Catherine by allowing her own power and autonomy.
Recommended Citation
Hill, Carrie L., ""It's All a Blind": Scopic Economies in Henry James' Washington Square" (2018). All Theses. 2843.
https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/all_theses/2843