Social Contrapower, Female Autonomy, and Sexual Justice in Thomas Hardy's "The Son's Veto"

This study explores the semiotic potential of metaphors grounded in “invitational rhetoric” within China Women’s News. At its core, “invitational rhetoric” seeks to unmute female vocality through three key leitmotifs – equality, immanent value, and self-determination – nurturing an amiable dialogue of female empowerment diverging from masculine rhetorical conquests. Female semiosis has been metaphorically contoured as cultural concept ( family, flower , and role ), conflict sign ( war, power , and architecture ), and spatial factor ( area, distance , and movement ). These female metaphors are then re-shuffled and distilled as “invitational” metaphors. Emerging at the intersection of rhetoric, feminist discourse, and semiotics, invitational metaphors (1) perform as a vector for re-characterizing entrenched metaphors, inviting alternative interpretations that disrupt existing power structures and promote new feminist epistemologies, and (2) confront rigid gender binaries by fostering inclusive, dialogic realms that allow the re-affirmation of gender-specific symbols and narratives, ultimately bolstering gender egalitarianism, feminist axiology, and female autonomy, together with other sociocultural implications within China.

This thesis examines the fluid relationship between linguistic control and female autonomy and power in four novels by Thomas Hardy. Chapter One attends to the way in which the constructive use of dialogue in Far From the Madding Crowd (1874) enables Bathsheba Everdene's integration into generative social, economic, and personal relationships. Chapter Two examines The Return of the Native (1878), focusing on gossip's role in Eustacia Vye's destruction, which is the consequence of her defiance of public discourse. Chapter Three explores A Laodicean (1881), centering on Hardy's depiction of Paula Power's control of language, which is facilitated by her access to property, wealth, and communication technologies. Chapter Four addresses Jude the Obscure (1895), particularly the portrayal of Sue Bridehead, whose demise results from her unorthodox challenge to the way patriarchal texts circumscribe human relationships and identity.

The presence of female reproductive autonomy, or the ability for a woman to make a well-informed decision, independently or with limited input from partners, about the number, spacing and timing of her children is a key determinant of female empowerment and independence. Understanding the intensity of a woman's reproductive role, and the entrenched social, physical and mental implications that underlie it, is key to bringing about gender equity. This study utilizes Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) collected between 2005-2006 and 2011-2012 to draw attention to the factors associated with reproductive autonomy as they relate specifically to women in Honduras. Results from the longitudinal analysis, using logistic regression tests, reveal the predicted association between reproductive resources such as sexual education and contraceptives as well as social autonomy. Ultimately, higher rates of formal education are likely associated with key reproductive autonomy indicators such as desire for last birth, knowledge of the fertility period and independent decision-making around contraceptive use. Sexual health programs can coincide with increasing formal education resources. Implementing such programs in the later years of primary schools can facilitate an increase in sexual autonomy and health knowledge outcomes such as fertility knowledge.

The aim of this article is to empirically assess the impact of female decision-making autonomy, educational attainment, and wealth on risks of having low-parity births and fertility preferences in the Republic of Moldova. The empirical analysis uses data from the 2005 Moldova Demographic and Health Survey. Hazard modeling is applied to study the transition to first, second, and third birth, while logistic regression is used to model desire for children. Considered for the first time are female decision-making autonomy measures, indicators that are essential in evaluating premises of gender equity theory. The main focus of the analysis is to assess the relative importance of female decision-making autonomy, education, and wealth for the timing of fertility, odds of having low-parity births, and desired fertility in Moldova.

INTRODUCTION: This study addresses the importance of women's sexual and reproductive rights, which encompass access to information, healthcare services, and bodily autonomy, essential for promoting public health and gender equity. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article is to analyze how ensuring reproductive rights and health education act as essential tools to promote women's health and well-being across various social and cultural contexts. METHODOLOGY: An integrative literature review was conducted following rigorous methodological steps, including articles published in the last five years in Portuguese, English, and Spanish, sourced from Scielo, PubMed, Medline, and BVS databases. RESULTS: Initially, 952 articles were identified without applying eligibility criteria. After applying filters (published in the last five years, in Portuguese, English, or Spanish), the total was reduced to 282 articles. Using the RYYAN platform for screening, 34 duplicate articles and 189 that did not meet the research criteria were excluded, leaving 59 articles. Based on the eligibility criteria, a full reading of the 59 resulting articles was performed, and 10 articles were selected for the integrative review. DISCUSSION: The discussion highlights current challenges, such as social inequalities and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the urgency of public policies to ensure these rights, particularly for specific social groups, such as women in vulnerable situations and marginalized populations. CONCLUSION: Health education is a powerful tool to promote awareness and female autonomy, strengthening the realization of reproductive rights and contributing to reducing gender inequalities. Protecting and recognizing these rights are essential for building a fairer society, directly impacting women's quality of life.

Lajja Gauri, an ancient lotus-headed goddess often associated with fertility and creation, is a potent symbol deeply embedded in the religious and cultural consciousness of India. Her iconography, with its overtly feminine form and birthing posture, historically depicted her as the embodiment of life-giving power. However, modern feminist scholars have reinterpreted this ancient symbol, viewing her not merely as a goddess of fertility but as an icon of female autonomy, empowerment, and spiritual purity. This paper explores the evolving symbolism of Lajja Gauri through the lens of contemporary feminist thought, connecting her image to broader discussions on gender equity, women’s rights, and the fight against gender-based violence. By examining how her iconography has been reclaimed by feminist movements, the study underscores the intersection of spirituality and gender within the context of modern struggles for social justice. Through an interdisciplinary methodology that combines art history, feminist theory, cultural studies, and comparative religious analysis, this research illustrates how the Lajja Gauri remains relevant as a powerful metaphor for female strength, autonomy, and spiritual authority. Ultimately, this study argues that ancient symbols like Lajja Gauri can inspire modern feminist movements, offering new pathways to challenge patriarchal structures and reaffirm the sacredness and autonomy of women’s bodies and identities in both spiritual and societal contexts.

Social media platforms are revolutionizing the way users communicate by increasing the exposure to highly stigmatized issues in the society. Feminism is one such topic that recently took over social media. This paper studies the attributes of XiaoHongShu user toward the feminism related topics, by content analysis of the online posts via #Barbie on XiaoHongShu, a sharing platform. The findings show that majority of XiaoHongShu user have positive attitudes to feminism-related topics in Barbie movie by analyzing the posts and comments are shared on this platform. Besides, XiaoHongShu commentators are mainly focused on eleven topics related to feminism: gender consciousness and self-perception, gender equality and affirmative action, gender discrimination, gender violence, gender roles, body perception and self-confidence, gender image, gender economics, female autonomy, female bonds and friendship and others. This research indicated that social media platforms have proven to be fertile ground for movements such as feminism, facilitating the dissemination of perspectives and the fostering of dialogue.

Women workers : Gender equality and female autonomy

This study investigates the representation of feminist theory within the matrilineal system of Minangkabau (Minang) culture as portrayed in the Indonesian film Cinta Tapi Beda (2012), directed by Hanung Bramantyo and Hestu Saputra. The research focuses on the conflict between the protagonist, Diana, and her mother, which reflects broader tensions between tradition, gender roles, and female autonomy. A qualitative approach was employed, utilizing textual and character analysis of selected scenes. The analysis applied key frameworks of feminist theory—postmodern, liberal, and multicultural/global feminism—to identify the intersections of feminist discourse and matrilineal values. The findings indicate that while the Minangkabau matrilineal system provides women with a degree of symbolic authority, patriarchal structures continue to dominate social and cultural practices. This tension is most visible in the rejection of Diana’s romantic relationship, shaped primarily by religious and cultural restrictions rather than the matrilineal framework itself. The study demonstrates that feminist perspectives highlight contradictions within the Minang matrilineal system, revealing how female authority remains constrained by patriarchal norms. These insights contribute to a deeper understanding of the interplay between cultural identity, gender roles, and cinematic representation in Indonesia. Future research is recommended to examine how contemporary Indonesian films further negotiate tradition and gender equality.

With the continuous improvement of global gender equality awareness, the application of gender narrative perspective in various cultural works has gradually received attention, especially in the popular culture form of animation. The shaping and performance of female characters has also ushered in unprecedented changes. This study aims to explore the creative evolution of female characters in animation from the perspective of gender narrative. By comparing animation works from different periods and different cultural backgrounds, this paper analyzes the changes in female characters in terms of gender, role positioning, and personality setting. At the same time, this study will also focus on the diverse shaping of female characters in contemporary animation, and how to reflect gender equality and female autonomy in plot settings, gender relations, and role interactions. Specifically, the paper conducts research from the following aspects: the typical image of female characters in traditional animation, and analyzes the commonalities behind them; secondly, explores the transformation and diversification of female character images in recent years, and how to reflect the progress of gender cognition and the changes in social values; finally, combines with specific cases, it analyzes how gender narrative affects the shaping of female characters in the process of animation creation. Through these studies, this paper hopes to reveal the importance of gender narrative in animation creation, and provide theoretical support and creative reference for more equal and diverse gender performance in future animation works.

Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon is an extraordinary work in African American literature, renowned for its rich narrative and exploration of themes including self-discovery, freedom, sacrifice and African American culture. However, behind the grand “flying” events of men were the endless lament, struggle and sacrifice of women, which have always been ignored. This paper takes Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon as the research object and explores the lament of women behind the significant imagery of “flying”. By analyzing three key “flying” events in the novel, it reveals the sacrifices and sufferings of female characters in the process of male protagonists’ pursuit of freedom and self-discovery. Although male characters in Song of Solomon achieved spiritual freedom and growth through flying, this process was built upon the pain, oppression and self-sacrifice of women. This paper calls for attention to the lament of women behind men and emphasizes that women should break free from the shadow of men to pursue their own freedom and growth. Through the analysis of female characters in Song of Solomon, it hopes to inspire future generations to further reflect on gender equality and female autonomy, arguing that women bravely pursue their dreams and realize their own value.

This paper critically examines anti-feminist expressions in K-pop culture, using a mixed methodology to analyze selected works. It highlights the impact on artists, global fandom, and cultural trends, emphasizing the necessity for intervention from stakeholders in the industry. While acknowledging the evolution of gender representation in K-pop, the paper addresses persistent criticism of objectification and commodification of female idols. Recognizing K-pops global influence, the study emphasizes the need to address anti-feminist nuances. It explores how K-pop fandoms influence perceptions of gender roles, particularly among youth. By challenging anti-feminist elements, the study aims to promote progress in attitudes towards gender equality. The paper also focuses on the paradox of stardom for female artists, examining how patriarchal bias and male management perpetuate anti-feminist practices. These practices restrict female artists autonomy and reinforce harmful gender norms. Highlighting power dynamics and systemic issues within the industry, the study emphasizes the influence of K-pop artists on their fans and cultural trends. It calls for collaboration among artists, agencies, fans, and policymakers to advocate for change and gender equality. In conclusion, this paper contributes to the discourse on anti-feminism in K-pop. By uncovering hidden undercurrents and exploring sociocultural implications, it aims to raise awareness and promote diverse gender representations within K-pop and society. The study envisions K-pop as a catalyst for positive change, leading to a more inclusive and progressive society celebrating gender equality.

Strict class, gender, and moral dictates defined the social structure of the (1837-1901) Victorian era. In this framework, gender roles, especially for women, were limiting and complicated. By comparing four of the major novels of the period, Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre, George Eliot's Middlemarch, Thomas Hardy's Tess of the d'Urbervilles, and Charles Dickens's Great Expectations, it examines representations of gender and power in Victorian literature. Through the focus on the patriarchal texts of the oppressed fighting against the status quo, this research explores how writers of the time reflected societal issues or challenged them outright, disrupting the same in subtle and overt forms and struggles. At the heart of this is the idea of the "New Woman," a disruption of tradition in the form of an intellectual and socially rebellious figure of the time who does not conform to gender roles. Using a feminist, poststructuralist , and queer lens, this study interrogates the representation and resistance of dominant gender roles and power structures. Examining key female and male characters from Jane Eyre and Dorothea Brooke to Tess Durbeyfield and Pip, the article identifies tropes of gendered independence, marriage, intellectual agency, and masculinity. The results, aside from being interesting at first sight, reveal the complicated role of Victorian literature in both upholding and subverting the values of the period, especially when it comes to women and the discourse surrounding autonomy and agency. In conclusion, this article shows that the cross-section between gender and power played out in Victorian fiction is equally reflective of the time shortly before their publication whilst remaining relevant critiques in ongoing conversations and debates about gender equality and autonomy today.

The aim of this study is to explain which life is more reasonable and hopeful through comparing the two characters’ contradicting life. Thomas Hardy tries to change and develop the tradition of Victorian society’s deep-seated male dominated circumstances and exclusive sense of value into the sexual equality and enlightened rural community through this novel. Eustacia, the heroin, hopes to escape the isolated and stony Egdon from start to finish. But the Nature rejects her desire. Because the Nature does not permit human beings’ treason to her. Clym, who returned to his native town Egdon to live for the rest of his life, has a plan to enlighten the rural people through education. Also his hope can not be fulfilled. The Nature does not accept Clym’s scheme because she herself rejects the change. Eustacia inevitably ends in death because her plan to escape the Nature turns into a daydream and fantasy. But Clym is rescued from death or catastrophe because he adjusted to the Nature’s principles. Eustacia expects Clym to come true her dream to escape the Egdon. Clym hopes to open a school to give knowledge to Egdon society with his wife. But their conceptions are not realistic and impractical because their notions and ambitions are not harmonious with the indifferent Egdon. In conclusion, Hardy tries to show us that Eustacia’s free will to exist must be accepted and the Clym’s lofty ideal must also be realized according to harmony with time and circumstances or the Nature.

In India, women and children continue to experience food insecurity. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether the Rajasthan Nutrition Project (RNP) led to changes in 1) dietary habits and nutrition, and 2) indicators of gender equality, female autonomy, and empowerment. This study surveyed women belonging to self-help groups who were pregnant or who had young children. Over the course of the intervention, significant improvements were seen in the following indicators: breastfeeding within one hour of birth, exclusively breastfeeding for the first six months, food insecurity of children and mothers, household decision-making, communication, mobility, and domestic violence. These findings suggest that the RNP is a promising intervention for improving nutrition and female autonomy in Rajasthan, India. Additional research is needed to determine if the RNP would be equally as effective in other regions of India, or in populations outside of India.