A comparative analysis of Woolf's androgynous theory and Beauvoir's feminist theory

Research Article
Open access

A comparative analysis of Woolf's androgynous theory and Beauvoir's feminist theory

Xinle Chen 1*
  • 1 College of Liberal Arts, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China    
  • *corresponding author 1564470976@qq.com
AHR Vol.12 Issue 2
ISSN (Print): 2753-7099
ISSN (Online): 2753-7080

Abstract

This paper takes Virginia Woolf's theory of the androgynous mind and Simone de Beauvoir's feminist doctrine as entry points to dissect the convergences and divergences in the evolution of their feminist thought. Through an analysis of the original texts A Room of One's Own and The Second Sex, it compares their distinctive interpretations of the paths to female awakening: Woolf regards economic autonomy and creative freedom as means to break free from the shackles of patriarchal society, while Beauvoir employs the scalpel of existentialism to expose women's construction as the “Other.” Both unveil the intricate web of patriarchal oppression, yet their strategies for deconstruction diverge—Woolf builds an imagined utopia within literary space, while Beauvoir launches a philosophical offensive against entrenched structures. This trans-Channel dialogue not only highlights the cognitive gulf between Anglo-American empiricism and Continental rationalism but also reveals the complementary potential among different currents within the feminist movement, offering dual decoding strategies for contemporary gender dilemmas.

Keywords:

Virginia Woolf, Simone de Beauvoir, androgynous mind theory, feminist theory

Chen,X. (2025). A comparative analysis of Woolf's androgynous theory and Beauvoir's feminist theory. Advances in Humanities Research,12(2),78-90.
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References

[1]. Liu, H. (2010). Existentialist feminism and women's freedom and liberation: A brief analysis of The Second Sex. Journal of Chongqing University of Science and Technology (Social Science Edition), 13, 39–40+48.

[2]. Yang, Y., & Zhou, Q. (2018). Research on feminist epistemology: Reflections and prospects. Journal of Shandong Women's University, 5, 1–8.

[3]. Chang, H., & Yi, X. (2018). Exploring scientific discovery from a feminist perspective. Journal of Chengdu University of Technology (Social Sciences), 26(2), 89–93.

[4]. Luo, M. (2016). The construction of female self-consciousness in Hayao Miyazaki's animation: An interpretation through the perspective of The Second Sex. Young Writers, 30, 163–164.

[5]. Woolf, V. (2005). A Room of One’s Own (J. Huifeng, Trans.). People's Literature Publishing House.

[6]. Xu, W. (2016). On the similarities and differences between Woolf and Beauvoir's feminist views: A comparative study of A Room of One’s Own and The Second Sex. French Studies, 2, 72–77.

[7]. Chen, X. (2010). The expansion of Chinese feminist studies through Beauvoir's The Second Sex. Journal of China Women's University, 22(2), 39–44.

[8]. Fei, Y. (2017). A Study on Beauvoir's Feminist Thought. Guangxi Normal University.

[9]. Su, Y., & Jin, J. (2008). Feminist international relations theory: Thematic transitions and evolution. Collection of Women's Studies, 4, 58–65.

[10]. Shi, P. (2021). On the cultural-gender community thought in American ethnic literature. Journal of Minnan Normal University (Philosophy and Social Sciences Edition), 35(3), 69–76.

[11]. Zan, M. (2018). Revisiting The Second Sex: Beauvoir's 'Ambiguity'. French Studies, 2, 34–41.

[12]. Luo, Q. (2005). On Marx's critique of modernity and its contemporary significance. Fudan University.

[13]. Tao, H. (2007). On the “Androgyny” concept in Western feminist literary criticism. Shaanxi Normal University.

[14]. Lü, M. (2020). A Marxist theoretical study of Beauvoir's feminism. Jilin University.

[15]. Yun, W. (2015). Research on female images in Chinese revolutionary films from a feminist perspective. Shaanxi University of Science and Technology.

[16]. Li, R. (2005). A comparative analysis of Woolf's and Beauvoir's feminist thoughts—A comparison between A Room of One’s Own and The Second Sex. Journal of Wuzhou Branch of Guangxi University, 3, 43–46.

[17]. Zhou, L. (2011). Exploration of Woolf's novel theory. Shenyang Normal University.

[18]. Li, R. (2005). A comparative analysis of the feminist thought of Woolf and Beauvoir: A comparison between A Room of One’s Own and The Second Sex—Woman. Journal of Guangxi University Wuzhou Branch, 3, 43–46.

[19]. Jingjing. (2016). On traditional femininity through Simone de Beauvoir's The Second Sex. Inner Mongolia Radio and TV University Journal, 18, 25–26.

[20]. Woolf, V. (2005). A Room of One’s Own (J. Huifeng, Trans.). People's Literature Publishing House.

[21]. Beauvoir, S. de. (1998). The Second Sex (T. Tiezhu, Trans.). China Books Publishing House.

[22]. Chang, L. (2018). A Room of One’s Own from a feminist perspective. Drama House, 13, 242.

[23]. Bin, J. (2012). A study of feminist thought in The Second Sex from an existentialist perspective (Master’s thesis). Xiangtan University.


Cite this article

Chen,X. (2025). A comparative analysis of Woolf's androgynous theory and Beauvoir's feminist theory. Advances in Humanities Research,12(2),78-90.

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Journal:Advances in Humanities Research

Volume number: Vol.12
Issue number: Issue 2
ISSN:2753-7080(Print) / 2753-7099(Online)

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References

[1]. Liu, H. (2010). Existentialist feminism and women's freedom and liberation: A brief analysis of The Second Sex. Journal of Chongqing University of Science and Technology (Social Science Edition), 13, 39–40+48.

[2]. Yang, Y., & Zhou, Q. (2018). Research on feminist epistemology: Reflections and prospects. Journal of Shandong Women's University, 5, 1–8.

[3]. Chang, H., & Yi, X. (2018). Exploring scientific discovery from a feminist perspective. Journal of Chengdu University of Technology (Social Sciences), 26(2), 89–93.

[4]. Luo, M. (2016). The construction of female self-consciousness in Hayao Miyazaki's animation: An interpretation through the perspective of The Second Sex. Young Writers, 30, 163–164.

[5]. Woolf, V. (2005). A Room of One’s Own (J. Huifeng, Trans.). People's Literature Publishing House.

[6]. Xu, W. (2016). On the similarities and differences between Woolf and Beauvoir's feminist views: A comparative study of A Room of One’s Own and The Second Sex. French Studies, 2, 72–77.

[7]. Chen, X. (2010). The expansion of Chinese feminist studies through Beauvoir's The Second Sex. Journal of China Women's University, 22(2), 39–44.

[8]. Fei, Y. (2017). A Study on Beauvoir's Feminist Thought. Guangxi Normal University.

[9]. Su, Y., & Jin, J. (2008). Feminist international relations theory: Thematic transitions and evolution. Collection of Women's Studies, 4, 58–65.

[10]. Shi, P. (2021). On the cultural-gender community thought in American ethnic literature. Journal of Minnan Normal University (Philosophy and Social Sciences Edition), 35(3), 69–76.

[11]. Zan, M. (2018). Revisiting The Second Sex: Beauvoir's 'Ambiguity'. French Studies, 2, 34–41.

[12]. Luo, Q. (2005). On Marx's critique of modernity and its contemporary significance. Fudan University.

[13]. Tao, H. (2007). On the “Androgyny” concept in Western feminist literary criticism. Shaanxi Normal University.

[14]. Lü, M. (2020). A Marxist theoretical study of Beauvoir's feminism. Jilin University.

[15]. Yun, W. (2015). Research on female images in Chinese revolutionary films from a feminist perspective. Shaanxi University of Science and Technology.

[16]. Li, R. (2005). A comparative analysis of Woolf's and Beauvoir's feminist thoughts—A comparison between A Room of One’s Own and The Second Sex. Journal of Wuzhou Branch of Guangxi University, 3, 43–46.

[17]. Zhou, L. (2011). Exploration of Woolf's novel theory. Shenyang Normal University.

[18]. Li, R. (2005). A comparative analysis of the feminist thought of Woolf and Beauvoir: A comparison between A Room of One’s Own and The Second Sex—Woman. Journal of Guangxi University Wuzhou Branch, 3, 43–46.

[19]. Jingjing. (2016). On traditional femininity through Simone de Beauvoir's The Second Sex. Inner Mongolia Radio and TV University Journal, 18, 25–26.

[20]. Woolf, V. (2005). A Room of One’s Own (J. Huifeng, Trans.). People's Literature Publishing House.

[21]. Beauvoir, S. de. (1998). The Second Sex (T. Tiezhu, Trans.). China Books Publishing House.

[22]. Chang, L. (2018). A Room of One’s Own from a feminist perspective. Drama House, 13, 242.

[23]. Bin, J. (2012). A study of feminist thought in The Second Sex from an existentialist perspective (Master’s thesis). Xiangtan University.