Document Type

Thesis

Degree

Bachelor of Arts in English Literary Studies

Advisor

Laura D'Amore, Ph.D.

Abstract

This paper explores how literature and film can be a site of resistance for societal norms about body image and gender norms using the texts Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness by Susannah Cahalan, Parenthesis by Elodie Durand, and the film version of The Hunger Games, directed by Gary Ross (2012). Cahalan and Durand's experiences reveal their personal histories navigating illness, battling their internal sense of self, while facing the societal expectations of what is considered feminine. In contrast, The Hunger Games (2012), critiques the commodification of women’s bodies through Katniss Everdeen, whose appearance and personality are manipulated by the Capitol to maintain social control. Ultimately, these works highlight the intersection of illness, gender, and body image as a powerful lens for understanding the regulations imposed on women.

Download

Share

COinS