Performativity and gender in Kiersten White´s And I Darken

Abstract

The roles of strong and independent female protagonists in Young Adult literature have been debated in the past two decades. One assumption is that female protagonists can suggest to girls that they can do whatever they aim for and develop their own voice. Kiersten White´s And I Darken (2016) demonstrates that strong and independent female protagonists are needed and the protagonist Lada Dragwyla demonstrates the strong and independent female protagonist. It is also important that the characters of Young Adult literature are relatable for the intended reader in order to captivate them. In order to make pupils at upper secondary school read And I Darken the teacher has to find protagonists who function as a role model for the pupil, but for teenage girls in particular since a strong and independent female protagonist will function as an empowerment to them. Representation of strong and independent female protagonists in Young Adult literature is important, and it is important to show that women are not dependent on men to take action. This thesis will develop a close analysis of the novel And I Darken by Kiersten White within a feminist framework, and this thesis will explore how gender, performativity and expectations are executed in the novel. Simone de Beauvoir (1949) and Judith Butler (1990) are the main theorists I will use in this thesis. Critics such as Dennis Altman (2015), Toril Moi (1989) and Alison M. Jaggar and Paula S. Rothenberg (1984) will be highlighted in the discussion of the novel. Further, I am going to analyse the characters and the historical context in And I Darken and through a close analysis of the characters and the historical context I will discuss how the novel can be used in the classroom. In addition to close reading I will use reader response and cultural studies approaches to consider how the novel can be used in the classroom. I am especially interested in how the novel can help upper secondary pupils develop self-confidence.