Art as a medium of female self-expression in «The Doll Factory» by E. Macneal

Abstract

The article presents a Feminist analysis of the novel The Doll Factory written by E. Macneal focusing on women’s self-expression and the limitations imposed on females by the societal norms of the time. The article reveals how the historical background of Victorian England has influenced the novel discussed. The phenomenon of women in visual arts is considered through several historical sources, and the results demonstrate that E. Macneal purposefully conceives a fictionalized account of the main character in order to reveal the lost female potential in history. Iris, an artist’s model and a painter, is seen as a «fallen» woman by her relatives and other people, her talent is overlooked. The use of ekphrasis in the novel The Doll Factory conveys the female perception of the world. The artistic process provides the main character with a sense of liberty