The Power of Love in Jeanette Winterson's Work
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2019 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Hradec Králové Journal of Anglophone Studies |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Web | http://pdf.uhk.cz/hkjas/pi/pdf/vol6nr2_2019.pdf#page=176 |
| Keywords | Jeanette Winterson; love; passion; religion; technology; The Passion; The PowerBook; Written on the Body |
| Description | The aim of this paper is to discuss the role of love in Jeanette Winterson’s fiction. The author describes love as a powerful and liberating force, which functions as a mirror allowing people to turn inwards and see themselves as they really are. The ability to love is depicted in Winterson’s books as a prerequisite for achieving inner peace and freedom, which is one of the ultimate goals of every human being. However, since love possesses the power to give people access to the innermost aspects of their personalities and thus reveal their true selves, it usually destabilizes people’s long-established assumptions and beliefs. Undertaking this revealing spiritual journey can thus become a potentially dangerous and threatening endeavor people might not be willing to make. For this reason, they usually do not fully unlock the transcendental and redemptive potential of love. Instead, in pursuit of happiness and freedom, people turn to substituting stimuli, such as religion, technology, violence or casual sex, hoping it will satisfy their longing for emotional satisfaction. The paper examines these issues and analyzes their role in Winterson’s fiction. |
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