Kristin Daniel

Power and Its Price: Female Roles & the Consequences of Gaining Agency in Morrison's Beloved & Smiley's a Thousand Acres Kristin Daniel

Although Toni Morrison and Jane Smiley are two of the most acclaimed modern American authors, many readers fail to see similarities between their novels. At first glance, Morrison's Beloved and Smiley's A Thousand Acres seem overwhelmingly different, but in fact there are many similarities. A feminist reading of these two texts reveals how the main characters, Sethe and Ginny, have like experiences. They both struggle to overcome the forces that have subjugated them. As a result of their struggles and strength, both women have moments of power and ultimately succeed in becoming agents of their own lives. However, gaining agency has a steep price and severe consequences for Sethe and Ginny. This book explores the roles of these two women, how each woman manages to grasp her power, what she chooses to do with that agency, and the price she pays for gaining independence.