Sisters’ Self-Recognition Represented in Family Relationship: in Beth Henley’s Crimes of the Heart

Abstract

Beth Henley’s Crimes of the Heart is a feminist drama that represents the self-recognition of sisters in family relationships. In this play, sisters attempt to free themselves from their subordinate status in the patriarchal society. In this process, it portrays men as negative figures. They gave violence, oppression, pain, and sadness to sisters; however, it goes without saying that there are exceptions. This process of self-recognition represents a grandparent-grandchildren relationship, parent-children relationship, and sisters-relationship. Their grandparent-grandchild relationship is not portrayed as ideal in the play. The parent-child relationship is very important, but has troubles. Their father deserted his family, causing the mother of the three sisters to commit suicide. The sisters are unable to hold healthy relationships with boyfriends. The parents, generally, have an important role in aiding their daughters to find their “self,” but these sisters’ parents were unable to do it. The relationship among sisters plays a positive role in each of their self-recognition. They come to attain self-recognition by sisterhood. The three sisters become an independent and positive self through the process of self-recognition.