Short Review Essay

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Euphoria by Lily King
Published in 2014 by Lily King, Euphoria is a novel based on real life events in 1933. The story, taking place in New Guinea, revolves around social scientists. To be precise, the three main characters were inspired by anthropologists due to the latter’s involvement in baffling romantic relationships. The author’s characters are representative of the anthropologists, Margaret Mead, Reo Fortune and Gregory Bateson that delineate progressiveness in social sciences. In critiquing Lily King’s novel, there are useful theories and lenses that may be employed by her readers.
Apropos of Euphoria by Lily King, there is an existence of the feminist theory. Sociologists reiterate the importance of this theory in comprehending gender inequalities prevalent in various societies. It mainly addresses discrimination and segregation of women in comparison to their male counterparts. Feminist theory, alternatively known as feminism, is an important concept which aims to bridge the gap between males and females. Beginning from King’s characterization, her readers meet a female that is thriving in a male-dominated community (King, “Euphoria”). Nell, the female protagonist, is used by King to regard women and their achievements in the field of social sciences. Conversely, Fen’s character portrays a male chauvinist that, instead of rejoicing in his wife’s success, feels threatened by the same. Such reactions portray the rampancy of patriarchal societies where women are treated as male property.

Feminist theory, therefore, attempts to understand the causes of gender inequalities before eradicating them.
In Fen’s and Nell’s situation, for instance, readers note the issue of emasculation as a challenge between the couple. The male character feels threatened and intimidated by his wife, an independent woman. Through the feminist theory, readers understand that females have the liberty of specializing in their fields of interest. Regardless of the high male populace, such a lens encourages and motivates women to exploit their full potentials. Emasculation, as discussed in King’s novel, was also present in intellectual differences between males and females (King, “Euphoria”). According to stereotypical beliefs, men are supposed to possess higher intelligent quotients than women. The feminist theory is essential in scraping such assumptions by maintaining a balance between these sexes in various societies. While Fen is depicted as a traditional and conservative man, Nell delineates characteristics of a liberated and empowered woman. The feminist theory ensures that gender inequalities in marriages; are not tolerated on the basis of traditional gender roles. In Chapter twenty-seven, when King says, “The women went out to their gardens…” readers realize the roles of females in the home. However, these feminists advocate for the division of labor, as channels of eradicating discrimination and inequalities.
Furthermore, Sigmund Freud’s theory of psychoanalysis is also relevant in King’s novel, Euphoria. As Freud deals with the human mind, readers also manage to penetrate these characters’ thoughts through the author (Fayek 15). With regard to Nell’s failed marriages, individuals manage to acquire information about the mechanism of human beings’ minds. Through psychoanalysis and penetration of one’s mind, readers gain an understanding of the complexities of love and intimate relationships. People’s minds are wired to believe that seeking other romantic partners assists them in moving on from past relationships. Through psychoanalyzing Nell and her overlapping unions, readers may infer a problem with the female protagonist. According to Freud’s theory, psychological influences are significant in driving their lives (Fayek 15-16). She may experience similar challenges in other relationships due to consistency in her objects of attraction. When she strives to satisfy these needs, Nell finds herself consumed by another romantic relationship (King, “Euphoria”). Observing it from a psychoanalytic point of view, there is a delineation of circularity apropos of the female protagonist’s love life.
As a constituent of Freud’s psychoanalytic theory, there is a salient depiction of feminist psychoanalysis in King’s text. In this lens, Freud refers to females as objects of the male gender. There is a portrayal of feminist psychoanalysis through Fen’s character. Shrugging and displaying frustration due to his wife’s success is a clear indication of objectivity of females. Despite subtly, the character expects submission and vulnerability from his wife merely because she is female. Through such characteristics, Freud also describes women as sexual objects. In Chapter one, King says, “…though I was aware of her legs to the left of mine… and her lips fluttering slightly as she read over the notes” clearly showing a man sexualizing Nell, the female character. Most men require females to embark on domestic duties and sexual acts in an attempt to please them. When women possess power, they interfere with the stereotypical and cliché beliefs hence leading to an imbalance in various societies. Nell, therefore, is seen as deviant in the marriage institution due to her affiliation with characteristics believed to suit the male species.
Through Nell’s engagement in lesbian coitus, readers may also include the queer theory. Sociologists understand that queer theories constitute acts that are considered out of the norm in today’s society. The female protagonist’s actions, therefore, clearly portray queer behavior despite her marriages to men. Through this instance, readers may also infer psychoanalysis to observe the open-mindedness of most individuals. While Nell identifies as a heterosexual woman, indulging in lesbian sex clearly portrays dynamism in the human mind and thinking. The queer theory is a good lens in understanding Nell’s eerie experience in the novel.
While the author does not offer precise information about the protagonist’s lesbian experience, readers may use both queer and psychoanalytic theories to obtain inferences. Through Freud’s psychoanalysis, it is safe to assume Nell’s monotony apropos of failed relationship with her male counterparts. The queer theory, on the other hand, explores Nell’s guilty pleasures and unnatural behavior (Lewin & William 3-5). While critiquing Euphoria, it is important for readers to also note the relationship between feminist theories and queer theories. In addition to exploring eerie human behavior, queer theories also delve into sex and gender hence catering to female discrimination.
Regardless of different theories in Lily King’s Euphoria, the focal point is female segregation and discrimination. The author uses Nell’s character to describe challenges and problems faced by women in male-dominated societies. Ironically, however, King designs a powerful woman that outdoes her male counterparts. The female protagonist’s failure to submit and succumb to her husband’s needs brews resentment between the two individuals. Integration of feminist, psychoanalytic and queer theories is important in understanding Lily King’s text from an in-depth perspective. There is also clear evidence apropos of stereotypes in various societies. When feminists advocate for female liberation, males feel threatened and emasculated. King, using Nell’s character, manages to develop a character representative of strong and empowered women. The theories present in King’s text also delineate the main theme and ideas as intended by the author. Euphoria enlightens readers on the progressive nature of societies through exploration of social sciences. While females were oppressed and treated as objects during the 17th century, the situation improved greatly in the later years. Lily King addresses her readers in a proficient yet precise manner by empowering them on the nature of gender inequalities.
Works Cited
Fayek, Ahmed. Freud’s Other Theory of Psychoanalysis: The Replacement for the Indelible Theory of Catharsis. , 2013. Print.
King, Lily. Euphoria: A Novel. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2014. Print.
Lewin, Ellen, and William L. Leap. Out in Theory: The Emergence of Lesbian and Gay Anthropology. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 2002. Print.