DefinePK

Research Objective

To analyze how women and men characters are described differently or similarly in relation to their eyes and face in Shamsur Rahman Faruqi's novel, The Mirror of Beauty, using a feminist stylistic approach and corpus linguistics.

Methodology

A mixed-method approach was employed, combining qualitative analysis based on Mills' (1995) feminist stylistic framework of fragmentation with quantitative analysis using the Wmatrix corpus linguistics tool. The study focused on the novel "The Mirror of Beauty" by Shamsur Rahman Faruqi (2014).

Methodology Flowchart

                        graph TD
    A["Select Novel: The Mirror of Beauty"] --> B["Convert to txt file for Wmatrix"];
    B --> C["Qualitative Analysis: Feminist Stylistics"Mills""];
    B --> D["Quantitative Analysis: Wmatrix"];
    C --> E["Analyze Fragmentation of Eyes and Face"];
    D --> E;
    E --> F["Compare Gender Representation"];
    F --> G["Synthesize Findings"];
    G --> H["Formulate Conclusion"];                    

Discussion

The study argues that Faruqi's novel portrays women as desirable objects, either natural or edible, and as oppressed creatures, aligning with Mills' (1995) concept of women being represented as passive and consumable. Men are depicted more positively through their physical strength and personality traits. The analysis demonstrates how feminist stylistics and corpus methodology can reveal underlying ideologies in gender depiction.

Key Findings

Women's body parts (eyes and face) are fragmented to highlight their sexuality and physical attractiveness, often comparing them to objects of nature. Men's anatomical parts are used to emphasize their physical strength, skills, and personality traits. Body parts beyond those typically sexualized can also be used to project sexuality.

Conclusion

In "The Mirror of Beauty," women are predominantly portrayed through their eyes and face to highlight their physical beauty, sexual appeal, and emotional states, often relegating them to a passive or objectified position. Men are depicted through their body parts to emphasize their strength, personality, and involvement in significant activities, presenting them in a more positive light.

Fact Check

1. The study analyzes Shamsur Rahman Faruqi's novel "The Mirror of Beauty," published in 2014. (Confirmed by text)
2. The study uses Mills' (1995) feminist stylistic approach and the Wmatrix corpus linguistics tool. (Confirmed by text)
3. The analysis focuses on the body parts "eyes" and "face," finding that "eyes" are mentioned 267 times and "face" 259 times in the corpus. (Confirmed by Table 2)

Mind Map