Attitudes towards New Age Women in a Male Dominated Structure as Appeared in “Daonapha,” a Thommayanti Novel

Abstract

This article aimed to study the concept of female main characters in a male dominated structure from a novel Daonapho written by Thommayanti.The study follows the conceptual framework of feminism. The results show that Thommayanti composed the novel reflecting family problems, showing images of strong and patient women in a marriage life, projecting attitudes of new age women in the main characters, which were different from most people in the society who believed in a male dominated structure. The conceptual framework of feminism which was carried out through the female main characters encourages a consciousness of the society to realize the gender inequality, which was implanted in Thai society for a long time. It also reveals the images of women who were defined the value from the social value as “mother” and “wife.” The main characters in the story were, then, representatives of a mirror reflecting need of gender equality movement. Moreover, it reveals the attitudes of the new age women changing into the positive direction which is different from the concept of character making in earlier novels. This also emphasizes the new attitudes of women who need not waiting for decision from the men.