The Feminine Mystique: An Analysis of Female Protagonists in Paulo Coelho’s Select Works from the Perspective of Simon de Beauvoir’s Feminist Theory

Abstract

The paper entitled ‘The Feminine Mystique: An Analysis of Female Protagonists in Paulo Coelho’s Select Works from the Perspective of Simon de Beauvoir’s Feminist Theory’ is a research paper on female lead characters of the novels Brida and The Witch of Portobello. Simon de Beauvoir in her masterpiece The Second Sex marks the second wave feminism. She vindicates for the rights of women and the gender equity in the society. The objective of the paper is to redefine the power and identity of the protagonists Brida and Athena in terms of life journey, characteristics, pathway, societal pressures and goal. It is noted that Athena, the protagonist of The Witch of Portobello is determined and resilient in fighting against the society in reviving the Great Mother. Societal pressures stand as a major barrier in women’s life to reach their goals. In the case of Athena’s her mission is to spread the message of Great Mother. On the other hand, Brida doesn’t undergo societal pressures like Athena than the internal conflicts in achieving her goal. But Athena has to fight her internal traumas as well as the patriarchal society to preach the knowledge of the Great Mother. The research paper highlights that Paulo Coelho uses strong and independent female characters in his novels to spread philosophy and spiritual knowledge in the society.