Resistance and Oppression in Su-Chen Christine Lim’s Novels: A Radical Feminist Analysis

Abstract

This study analyzes the Chinese women’s resistance to oppression by women themselves in Su-Chen Christine Lim’s novels: “A Bit of Earth”, “Fistful of Colours”, “Gift from the Gods” and “Rice Bowl”. These novels depict the problems faced by Chinese women owing to the patriarchal practices and the long-standing Confucian beliefs that are found to be inherent within the Chinese society. It is found that oppressions by women unto women in the Chinese society happen due to a number of reasons. This study attempts to answer the “when”, “how” and “why” of oppressions of women by women in the selected novels. This study also aspires to delve into the counter-measures that women as victims take to reduce, to stop or even to face the adverse effects of oppression. Concepts like subjugation, alienation, separatism, confrontation and escapism mark the kind of resistance that the female characters in Su-Chen Christine Lim’s novels adopt to cope with various forms of “accepted” oppressions.This study also highlights the quest for discovery of “self “or the assertion of self- identification- a perpetual area of women’s struggle. The Radical Feminist Theory is used to analyze and highlight female oppression and resistance found in the novels, and this will shed more light on the existence of oppression by women unto women, especially in a quagmire with women’s mind-set moulded by just being in a patriarchal society.Key Words: Su-Chen Christine Lim; Chinese women’s resistance to oppression