Women and Religion in Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code

Abstract

This article examines Dan Brown's novel, the Da Vinci Code through the frameworks of post-structuralist theories, namely: deconstruction, feminism, new historicism, and cultural materialism. Following a descriptive design, it demonstrates that the novel offers various interrogations of truth, identity, and history through its representation of the suppressed sacred feminine. However, it might have advocated for feminist empowerment through its representation of Mary Magdalene, but it failed. Sophie's portrayal as a detective/cryptologist who was led to a damsel in distress and the novel’s configuration to deconstruction and différance weaken its feminist agenda. Also, it might have deconstructed patriarchy and its repercussions, but the novel was soon bound in its uncertainty on the signifier Holy Grail, a symbol of marginalized women. The truth about the Holy Grail has never been revealed configures the novel to its language's and aim's uncertainty and fluidity. Insights from this study shed light on how popular literatures such as this participate in the perpetuation of the marginality of women. As such, it could also be extended to other popular literary and cultural forms in an attempt to interrogate discourses and practices that maintain gender inequality-towards improving the circumstances and future of women in contemporary society.