ROMANCES AND THE MODERN MS.: A STUDY OF CONTEMPORARY (LINE) ROMANCES, 1980-1984

The contention of this study is that literary criticism in general, and feminist criticism in particular, have overlooked the positive elements which exist in contemporary line romances. Content analysis of 100 contemporary line romances explicates and illuminates feminist objections to romance literature. Several major themes are explored, and while these romances confirm existing values, they also investigate new values. Readers of line romances are given a clear and persuasive message about how to manage their lives. Romances offer social and philosophical statements about a feminine world and represent a ritual learning aid. The reiteration of certain models and themes demonstrates their importance to society as a whole.

The 1980s novels show a substantial change occurring in male/female relationships. Not all heroines in romances are stereotyped, and even when they are, often positive aspects are reflected. Romances reflect the ambivalence of the culture, but offer to translate by guiding or enhancing moral ambivalence about sex, for example, in such a way as to show desirable outcomes. Certain ideas are now predominant and are publicly proclaimed as suitable values for females to emulate: equality, personal autonomy, personal responsibility, integration, self-transformation, the right to make one's own choice in life, the right to hold a career whether married or not, the right to have a sexual relationship before marriage, and honesty in communication. Contained within these values is a formulation which says that one should make a conscious, rational choice to determine one's own destiny because this leads to mature adulthood. To the extent that heroines in romances are independent, clear about what they want for their lives, and capable of making mature decisions for which they are accountable, then they represent a character ideal that is desirable not only for the individual but for society as well.

Heroines in many romances struggle with moral and ethical choices, and the heroine finds herself through communication with others and herself. Romances are a morally significant form of contemporary literature. (Copies available exclusively from Micrographics Department, Doheny Library, USC, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0182.)