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Essay On Feminist Critical Lens In Death On The Nile

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Feminist Critical Lens in Death on the Nile: An Analysis

Graham A. Hartman
Department of English, Harrisburg High School
English IV: British Literature
Ms. Mary Geraets
Monday, May 8th 2023
Feminist Critical Lens in Death on the Nile: An Analysis A feminist critical lens in “Death on the Nile '' would examine how the novel portrays gender roles and the treatment of women during the early 20th century, when the book was written. It would analyze how the female characters in the book are depicted and how their actions and motivations are shaped by societal expectations and constraints. Additionally, a feminist lens would look at how the male characters in the book interact with and respond to the female characters, and how these interactions reflect larger …show more content…

Although "Death on the Nile" was written in the 1930s, several characters in the novel can be seen as advocating for gender equality in their own ways. For example, the character of Jacqueline de Bellefort challenges traditional gender roles by pursuing her own desires and refusing to be constrained by societal expectations. A prime example of this is when Jacqueline is talking to Simon Doyle and states, “I'm not going to be a tame cat tied to your string, Simon. I'm going to be a wild cat, with claws and fangs” (Christie, 1937, Chapter 2).
Similarly, the character of Cornelia Robson speaks out against the idea that women are inferior to men, and is shown to be a strong and capable woman in her own right. Cornelia states that, “I am a very modern woman...I believe in equality for women...I think women are just as good as men, if not better in some respects” (Christie, 1937, Chapter 3). Furthermore, the novel can be seen as critiquing the idea that women are simply passive objects to be won or lost by men, by exploring the complex power dynamics that exist between the male and female

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