Gendered Expectations in Twenty-First Century American LiteratureO'Neill, Lauren American LiteratureGendered ExpectationsTwenty-First CenturyFeministAlternative voicesCultureWomenIdentityIntersectionalityEnglishB AIn this thesis, I examine how the narrative of the feminist movement affected and altered the work of five authors of mainstream literary fiction. I discuss the ways that gender is produced culturally and how that is informed by literature. I contend that authors like Jennifer Egan, Erin Williams, Kristen Roupenian, Jhumpa Lahiri, and Louise Erdrich use their writing to criticize oppressive parts of women's experiences in the U.S. To emphasize the complexity of gender identity in 21st-century America, these authors discuss, among other things, identity as an intersectional phenomenon, digital technology advancements, public conflicts, and the mechanics of women's work. These texts emphasize the diversity of restrictions imposed on women and reveal the complexity of women's struggles. Finally, they contend that literature can aid in the understanding of injustice and can thus support social movements for change.Liliana Marika Naydan, Thesis SupervisorDavid Ruth, Thesis Honors AdvisorKyle R King, Faculty Readeropen_access2023-03-10T18:53:57Zhttps://honors.libraries.psu.edu/catalog/8234lao5193