At the Crossroads of Black Female Autonomy, or Digression as Resistance in Quicksand and The Street

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

This paper focuses on Nella Larsen's Quicksand(1928) and Ann Petry's The Street(1946) as representative works that show precisely women who realize their marginalized positions as black women are limited and that possibilities for change must take place in women-centered locations. These works portray as well the effect of hegemonic oppression on the female psyche of women who do not move to female-centered spaces for renewal. The problem for Helga Crane and Lutie Johnson is the course of action they take to realize their goals for change and self-autonomy. While Helga and Lutie at first move from oppressive places literally and figuratively, they do not realize complete black female transformation when they do not shift to Third Space or women-centered spaces. This paper argues that "flight" from the dominant order is essential in the process towards black female transformation and subjectivity. For an understanding of the significance of women-centered locations for change, this paper addresses: why it is necessary for Helga and Lutie to shift to Third Space and what prevents them from moving from oppressive locations. Moreover, the examination answers the questions: In what sense does safe space or location make a difference in articulating female autonomy? How important is it, and how should space and its supposed effects be understood differently for African American women than for other groups?

목차 (Table of Contents)

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• Works Cited
• Abstract