An Analysis Of Franz Kafka’s “A Little Woman” In The Light Of Standpoint Theory

Abstract

The short story “A Little Woman” is written by Franz Kafka, a major figure in literature of the 20^th century. It had been originally published in 1924. The story has been narrated from the perspective of a male narrator, who is faced with perplexing confusion about the behavior and gestures of the little woman, conveyed to him throughout the narrative in silence. The analysis of the story has been made through the application of the theoretical framework of the standpoint theory. Standpoint Theory is about the viewpoints and perspectives of different social groups, who look at people and situations from their own social position, without a serious understanding for the viewpoint of others. According to the theorists of the theory, the perspectives of the marginalized are more neutral and authentic and are more significant for understanding of outlooks and situations. The outlook in the “Little Woman” is also the perspective of the narrator, who draws a picture of the little woman, without taking into consideration the ‘real’ perspective of the female through her own mouth, and the picture, as has been drawn by him, goes on from the beginning till the end. The little woman remains silent and the narrator assumes everything from her gestures and facial expressions. The narrator does not think even once that his perspective about the woman is a wrong one. He never once thinks of going deeper into her inner self and to understand her mind and psyche. His views about her gestures have been shaped by patriarchy, of which he is the stereotypical product. He never once thinks that the hidden emotions behind the apparent anger of the woman can be her love for him, which the narrator is unable to understand in his masculine ego and pride over feelings of superiority.