Problematization for Objectification: Sex and Woman in Amis' Novel "The Pregnant Widow

Abstract

Abstract—Objectification is a significant sign in postmodern literature. Martin Amis objectifies the identities of his characters through technical problematization of the social norms, namely, the established norms of sex and woman. However, this idea of objectification was not fully taken into account in Amis’ novel The Pregnant Widow, and there has been little debate about it in terms of identity formation. Thus, the purpose of the present study is to investigate how this technique of problematization manifests itself as a vital tool of objectification in Amis’ novel. Relying on Michel Foucault’s conception of problematization, this study examines the idea of problematization of sex and woman which becomes an important idea that the protagonist Scheherazade FF manipulates to realize herself and to achieve her own identity. The paper reveals a conclusion in which the problematization of sex and woman can be instrumental in objectifying self and re-affirming subjectivity as in Scheherazade.