La femme n'existe pas

This thesis revolves around the question whether Kristeva's semiotic chra, an adaptation of Lacan's imaginary realm, can be seen as a space of female opposition to patriarchal hegemony. Thus, different ways of female interaction with patriarchy will be investigated; thereby drawing upon verbal and non-verbal texts from different centuries. Shakespeare's "Hamlet" and Angela Carter's "Bloody Chamber" will be considered as well as Pre-Raffaelite paintings.