Silence, Society and Self-hatred: Anti-semitic Female Characters in American Literature: 1863-1947

Abstract

This dissertation examines anti-semitic female characters in American literature, and how that anti-semitism relates to each of the female characters in the works studied, differs from the male characters, and relates to the period in which it was written. The objective of this study is to investigate the intersectionality of anti-semitism and gender, to show that while female characters are anti-semitic they can be so in their own way, and are not only different from the male characters, but other female characters as well. By focusing on a few specific works I have shown that these characters are given compelling reasons why they are anti-semitic, regardless of wealth, income, occupation or education. This dissertation begins with a discussion of the limited scholarship already done on the subject of anti-semitic female characters in American literature and how existing scholarship focuses mainly on anti-semitic male characters, or anti- semitism in general. This includes the study of authorial intent in writing a novel whose theme is or includes anti-semitism, and why the subject is associated with the literary period in which it was written. The resulting analysis shows that anti-semitic female characters in American literature are just as compelling as male characters, if not more so, and allowing for the expansion of current scholarship and the study of anti-semitism in general