Resistance And Forgiveness: Exploring Patriarchy And Oppression In Megan Giddings’ The Women Could Fly (2022)

Abstract

This research delves into the themes of patriarchy, oppression, and forgiveness within Megan Giddings’ novel, The Women Could Fly (2022), examining how they intersect within the context of capitalist-led society. Drawing on feminist and Marxist analyses, the study explores how patriarchy, operating within a capitalist framework, systematically marginalizes and oppresses women in general, and black women in particular. Through an analysis of Giddings’ dystopian narrative, the paper elucidates the ways in which female characters resist patriarchal oppression while also grappling with forgiveness in the face of systemic injustice. It discusses the complex interplay between power dynamics, gender relations, and capitalist structures, highlighting the ongoing struggle for women’s empowerment within a society that privileges men and perpetuates inequality. It also recognizes how issues related to both women and nature interconnect in such narratives associating supernatural powers to emancipation endeavors. The paper confirms, as portrayed in the contemporary narrative under study, that patriarchy continues to be the dominant power in capitalism.