| ISSN: 2583-3812 | ISSN: 2583-3812JOURNAL ARTICLE
Keywords: Alice Munro, Canadian Literature, Feminist Theory, Poststructuralism, Social Norms, Individual Desires, Small-Town Life, Canadian Identity, Femininity, Domesticity
Abstract: This article examines Alice Munro's debut short story collection, “Dance of the Happy Shades” (1968), through a critical lens, analysing the complex interplay between social norms and individual desires. Employing a feminist and poststructuralist framework, this study reveals how Munro's narratives subvert traditional notions of Canadian identity, femininity, and domesticity, exposing tensions between public and private spheres. By exploring how Munro's characters navigate small-town life's constraints, this research demonstrates that her stories challenge dominant discourses of 1960s Canada, offering a nuanced portrayal of women's experiences and social norms' fragility. The findings contribute significantly to understanding Munro's early work and its importance within the Canadian literary canon. Through a close reading of Munro's stories, this study uncovers the ways in which her characters' struggles with identity, agency, and autonomy reflect the societal norms governing women's lives in rural Canada. This research also highlights Munro's innovative narrative style, which blurs the boundaries between public and private spheres, challenging traditional notions of Canadian identity. This study's conclusions have broader implications for feminist and cultural studies, underscoring the relevance of Munro's work to contemporary debates on identity, community, and geography. By revaluating Munro's early work, this research demonstrates the significance of her contributions to Canadian literature and her enduring influence on feminist thought. Ultimately, this study provides a nuanced understanding of Munro's debut collection, solidifying her position as a pivotal figure in Canadian literature. The research offers a critical perspective on the social norms governing women's lives in 1960s Canada, shedding light on the complexities of women's experiences and the fragility of social norms.
Article Info: Received on: 17 Oct 2024 Revised on: 15 Nov 2024 Accepted on: 20 Nov 2024
DOI: 10.22161/ijeel.3.6.4
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