THE POLITICS OF MARRIAGE AND AUTONOMY: AN INTERSECTIONAL STUDY OF WOMEN IN CUSHMAN’S NOVEL CATHERINE, CALLED BIRDY

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate how Cushman’s work “Catherine, Called Birdy” depicts women’s struggle for independence, identity, and autonomy in a patriarchal society. The study focuses on the symbolic meaning of “Birdy” as the symbol of Catherine’s desire to be free of social constraints, forced marriage, and male dominance. Also concerns the issue like abusive patriarchal systems, illusionary freedom for women, internalized inherent rules, and assigned distinct roles based on gender. This research aims to look at how Catherine’s resistance and individualism undermine accepted gender norms and imbalance power dynamics in family and society. Karen Cushman’s novel “Catherine, Called Birdy” explores the male-dominated system of medieval society, in which women’s independence, consent, and individuality have boundaries by familial requirements and marriage pressures. Femininity is constructed by narrowly minded and old traditional concepts in a patriarchal society. This research depicts marriage as a social and economic tool ruled by men, emphasizing unequal power relations, different ethical standards, and the illusion of female independence. The study explores feminism, intersectionality, female authority, and the fight for independence in a patriarchal world through Catherine’s protest in opposition to oppressive marriage and social pressures