Research Catalog

Details

Description

1. vii, 187 pages; 23 cm

Summary

1. "This critical study explores late twentieth century novels by women writers - including Doris Lessing, May Sarton and Barbara Pym - that feature female protagonists over the age of sixty. These novels' discourses on aging contrast with those largely pejorative ones that dominate Western society. They break the silence that normally surrounds the lives of the aged, and this book investigates how older female protagonists are represented in relation to areas such as sexuality, dependence and everyday life."--BOOK JACKET.

Subject

1. English fiction > History and criticism
2. Women and literature > English-speaking countries > History > 20th century
3. English fiction > 20th century > History and criticism
4. Older women in literature
5. Old age in literature
6. Aging in literature

Contents

1. 1. Paradigms of aging and ageism -- 2. The angry and frustrated older woman -- 3. The passionate and desiring older woman -- 4. The contented and developing older woman -- 5. The wise and archetypal older woman.

Owning institution

1. Columbia University Libraries

Bibliography (note)

1. Includes bibliographical references (p. 175-182) and index.