I’m writing a paper on female madness (or colloquially and more vaguely female rage) and exploring how the label was given to women who were simply willing to stray away from social norms (eg their pursuit of the arts) I’m already using the bell jar and am considering some other books too, but I would really appreciate suggestions. The books do have to be written and set in the 20th century! I prefer shorter <250 page books but honestly any length would be okay. Any help would be appreciated!!!
by leeknowgbtq
10 Comments
Not a book but a suggestion Zelda Fitzgerald
{{Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff}}
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The short story The Yellow Wallpaper, anything written by Virgina Woolf, or by Shirley Jackson.
Convenience Store Woman and Earthlings by Sayaka Murata have strange female main characters that fail to fit into society and develop very odd psychology in light of that.
Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder is about a new mother struggling to accept her motherhood. It has strong “female rage” elements.
If you’re interested in non-fiction Tracy Borman’s book Witches: A Tale of Sorcery, Scandal and Seduction, does an amazing job looking at a case study of a 16th century witch trial. It also provides an analysis of the factors that accused witches shared like old age, poverty, religious minority faith, and social ostracization. Particularly how many women outside of the direct control of a husband, father, or adult son were vulnerable to such accusations.
Girl, Interrupted maybe?
Also check out the story of Rosemary Kennedy 🙁 she was lobotomized for being “difficult”
it’s an academic book not a novel but The Madwoman in the Attic covers this exact topic in literature throughout history
{{Rage Becomes Her}}, Soraya Chemaly
Not as the book to study, but as a book that looks into the way patriarchal society has viewed female rage over time. Well worth the read!
The Awakening by Kate Chopin touches on this!
The Edible Woman by Margaret Atwood is a good one. Not exactly your description but her madness is certainly a result of not wanting to fit into social norms.