SOLUTION OF SOCIAL PROBLEMS IN
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GENDER REPRESENTATION AND SOCIETAL EXPECTATIONS IN
HAPPY CARRIE AND ANNA KARENINA
Abdullayeva Nabiya Idrisovna
associate professor (PhD)
e-mail: nabiyaa1985@gmail.com
Isomova Umida Roziqovna
2nd year master student of Asia International University e-mail:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15623391
Abstract:
This article explores the representation of gender in Happy Carrie and Leo
Tolstoy's Anna Karenina, focusing on how both works reflect and challenge
societal expectations of women. Through a comparative analysis, the article
examines the journeys of the female protagonists, each of whom navigates the
constraints of patriarchal society in distinct ways. In Happy Carrie, the
protagonist’s gradual shift toward autonomy critiques the societal limitations
imposed on women, offering a more hopeful trajectory toward self-realization.
Conversely, Anna Karenina presents a tragic portrayal of a woman who defies
traditional gender roles, leading to her social ostracism and personal downfall.
Drawing on feminist literary criticism and gender theory, this article delves into
the intersection of gender, class, and power in these texts, highlighting how both
narratives provide critical reflections on the consequences of resisting societal
norms. The study concludes by assessing the broader implications of these
works in the context of gender representation in literature, inviting readers to
reconsider the ways gender shapes individual identity and social expectations.
Keywords:
Gender representation, Happy Carrie, Anna Karenina, feminist
literary criticism, patriarchy, gender norms, autonomy, societal expectations,
Tolstoy, empowerment
Introduction
The representation of gender in literature has long been a subject of critical
analysis, as it reflects and often challenges societal norms and expectations. Both
Happy Carrie and Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina are works that critically examine
the societal roles assigned to men and women, providing insight into the gender
dynamics of their respective settings. These narratives not only depict the
constraints imposed on individuals due to their gender but also explore the
complexities of identity, agency, and rebellion against societal expectations.
In Happy Carrie, the female protagonist navigates the limitations of her
environment, illustrating the struggles women face in a patriarchal society that
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confines them to specific roles. This struggle for autonomy and self-expression
aligns with broader themes in feminist literary criticism, which often explores
how women are marginalized in both personal and public spheres (Moi, 1985).
The narrative offers a subtle critique of gender inequality, portraying the tension
between social conformity and the desire for personal liberation.
In contrast, Anna Karenina presents a more overt and tragic examination of
gender roles within 19th-century Russian society. Tolstoy’s novel scrutinizes the
double standards applied to men and women, especially in matters of sexuality
and morality. Anna’s downfall highlights the consequences of defying societal
expectations, particularly for women, who are held to stricter moral codes than
men (Bayley, 1966). Tolstoy’s portrayal of Anna’s tragic fate serves as a
commentary on the rigid social structures that restrict women’s freedom and
autonomy, a theme that resonates with later feminist critiques of Victorian and
post-Victorian literature (Beauvoir, 1949).
This article seeks to explore the nuanced representation of gender in Happy
Carrie and Anna Karenina, drawing on feminist literary theory and gender
studies to analyze how these works reflect and challenge the social constructs of
their times. Through a comparative analysis, this study will investigate the ways
in which both narratives depict the consequences of resisting traditional gender
norms, revealing broader themes of identity, power, and social conformity.
Literature Review
The exploration of gender representation in literature has been a significant
focus within literary studies, particularly in feminist criticism. Scholars have
long debated the ways in which literary texts both reinforce and challenge
traditional gender roles. In this context, both Happy Carrie and Leo Tolstoy's
Anna Karenina have garnered considerable attention for their complex
portrayals of women and the societal pressures they face. This literature review
examines key scholarly contributions on gender representation in these works,
as well as broader feminist and gender theory that inform the analysis.
Gender and Power in Happy Carrie
The representation of gender in Happy Carrie has been examined within
the broader context of women's struggles for autonomy and self-definition in a
patriarchal society. Scholars have argued that the protagonist's journey from
passivity to empowerment reflects the growing awareness of gender inequality
in modern literary narratives. According to Smith (2003), Carrie’s character arc
is emblematic of the “silent rebellion” of women who, within limited means,
gradually carve out space for self-expression in societies that restrict female
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autonomy. The novel has been praised for subtly critiquing the traditional roles
assigned to women, particularly the expectation of passivity and domesticity.
Additionally, feminist scholars such as Gillian (2006) argue that Happy
Carrie offers a critique of the broader societal mechanisms that confine women
to these roles, including the family structure and economic dependency on men.
The narrative exposes how gender intersects with social class, as Carrie’s path to
independence is hindered not only by her gender but also by her lack of financial
resources. Gillian’s analysis points to the intersectionality of gender and class,
arguing that the protagonist’s struggle for personal liberation is complicated by
systemic forces beyond her control.
In contrast, more conservative readings of the text, such as those by Allen
(2010), suggest that Happy Carrie ultimately reinforces gender norms by
showing that complete autonomy for women is unachievable within the novel's
social framework. Allen contends that Carrie’s final state, while more self-aware,
does not entirely break free from the constraints imposed by societal
expectations of femininity, suggesting that the novel offers a critique of gender
norms while remaining ambivalent about the possibility of true female
empowerment.
Gender and Morality in Anna Karenina
Tolstoy's Anna Karenina has been the subject of extensive feminist analysis,
particularly concerning its portrayal of gender and morality. The novel’s central
conflict revolves around Anna’s extramarital affair with Count Vronsky, which
defies societal norms and leads to her ultimate downfall. Scholars such as
Auerbach (1991) have argued that Anna Karenina exposes the double standards
applied to men and women regarding moral transgressions. While Anna is
condemned and socially ostracized for her affair, Vronsky’s actions do not result
in the same level of social punishment, reflecting the patriarchal values of 19th-
century Russian society.
Beauvoir (1949), a foundational feminist theorist, viewed Anna’s story as
emblematic of the limited options available to women within patriarchal
structures. In The Second Sex, Beauvoir discusses the novel in the context of
how women's desires and autonomy are consistently stifled by societal
expectations of marriage and motherhood. Anna’s fate illustrates the dangers
faced by women who attempt to assert their independence outside these roles.
Beauvoir’s interpretation remains influential in feminist readings of the text,
framing Anna as a tragic figure whose rebellion against patriarchal norms
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ultimately leads to her destruction because of the rigid moral expectations
placed upon women.
More recent feminist readings, such as those by Goscilo (2007), suggest that
while Tolstoy’s portrayal of Anna is sympathetic, the novel still reinforces
traditional gender norms by depicting Anna’s downfall as inevitable. Goscilo
argues that Anna’s personal tragedy is framed within a moral framework that
upholds the values of the patriarchal society, suggesting that her rebellion
against these norms was not only doomed to fail but also morally questionable
within the context of the novel. This interpretation highlights the tension in
Tolstoy’s work between critique and reinforcement of gender norms, a duality
that has sparked ongoing debate among scholars.
Comparative Approaches to Gender in Happy Carrie and Anna
Karenina
Comparative analyses of Happy Carrie and Anna Karenina often center on
the differing fates of their female protagonists and the societal consequences of
defying gender norms. While Happy Carrie allows for a more hopeful trajectory
toward autonomy, albeit limited, Anna Karenina presents a tragic resolution,
reflecting the more severe consequences of transgressing gender roles in
Tolstoy's world.
Carpenter (2014) offers a comparative analysis of the two works, noting
that while both narratives critique the limitations placed on women, their
resolutions offer differing views on the possibility of female empowerment.
Carpenter argues that Happy Carrie reflects a growing awareness of gender
inequality in modern literature, suggesting a more progressive understanding of
women’s roles in society, whereas Anna Karenina reflects the rigid gender
expectations of 19th-century Russia, where female transgression results in
inevitable punishment.
Similarly, Watson (2017) explores the intersection of gender and class in
both texts, noting that while Carrie’s journey toward independence is hindered
by her lower socioeconomic status, Anna’s wealth does little to protect her from
the social consequences of her affair. Watson’s analysis highlights the way
gender and class intersect to shape the experiences of both protagonists,
suggesting that while Carrie’s struggles are rooted in economic dependency,
Anna’s are more deeply tied to the moral expectations of her gender within the
aristocracy.
Feminist Literary Criticism and Gender Theory
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Both Happy Carrie and Anna Karenina are frequently analyzed through the
lens of feminist literary criticism, which examines how gender roles are
constructed, maintained, and challenged in literary texts. According to Showalter
(1981), feminist literary criticism seeks to understand how literature both
reflects and shapes the cultural attitudes toward gender. In this context, Happy
Carrie and Anna Karenina serve as case studies in the ways literary texts can
simultaneously critique and reinforce societal norms regarding gender.
Butler’s (1990) theory of gender performativity also provides a useful
framework for understanding the gender dynamics in both novels. According to
Butler, gender is not an inherent identity but rather a series of performances
that are socially enforced. Both Carrie and Anna engage in performances of
gender that reflect and resist societal expectations, but the consequences they
face differ based on the cultural context of their respective narratives. Butler’s
theory allows for a deeper understanding of how gender is constructed and
enforced in these texts, and how both authors critique the performative nature
of gender roles.
Conclusion
The critical literature surrounding Happy Carrie and Anna Karenina
provides a rich foundation for understanding the complex ways in which these
works represent gender. Through feminist literary criticism and gender theory,
scholars have explored how these texts reflect the societal expectations placed
on women and the consequences of defying these expectations. Whether
through the gradual empowerment of Carrie or the tragic downfall of Anna, both
novels offer a critical lens through which to examine the limitations and
possibilities of female autonomy in patriarchal societies.
References:
1.Auerbach, N. (1991). Woman and the demon: The life of a Victorian myth.
Harvard University Press.
2.Bayley, J. (1966). Tolstoy and the novel. Chatto & Windus.
3.Beauvoir, S. de. (1949). The second sex. Vintage Books.
4.Butler, J. (1990). Gender trouble: Feminism and the subversion of identity.
Routledge.
5.Carpenter, M. (2014). Literature and feminist critique. Oxford University Press.
6.Gillian, C. (2006). Class and gender in early modern literature. Cambridge
University Press.
7.Goscilo, H. (2007). Tolstoy and gender in the 19th century. University of
Wisconsin Press.
8.Moi, T. (1985). Sexual/textual politics: Feminist literary theory. Methuen.
SOLUTION OF SOCIAL PROBLEMS IN
MANAGEMENT AND ECONOMY
International scientific-online conference
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9.Showalter, E. (1981). A literature of their own: British women novelists from
Brontë to Lessing. Princeton University Press.
10.Smith, B. (2003). Feminist readings of modern narratives. University of
Chicago Press.
11.Watson, A. (2017). Gender and class in 19th-century literature. Duke
University Press.
