Table of ContentsIntroductionBodyParagraphsCounterargumentsReferences (continued)IntroductionIn the field of feminist literature, “She Names Them” by Ursula K. Le Guin occupies an important place. This short story, published in 1985, offers a deep exploration of language, power and identity. This essay will delve into the specific aspect of identity recovery through anonymity, analyzing its implications on the female protagonist's self-perception and her relationship with the world around her.Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Body Paragraphs Le Guin's protagonist subverts the traditional role of Adam, who named the animals in the Garden of Eden, by naming them. This act is not a simple reversal of the nomination process but a profound recovery of power and identity. The anonymity of the protagonist is a rebellion against the patriarchal structure which imposed these names, and therefore these identities (Le Guin, 1985). This perspective aligns with the theories of French feminist Hélène Cixous, who argues that language is a tool of patriarchal power and that its recovery is crucial for women's liberation (Cixous, 1976). Researchers have analyzed in depth the importance of anonymity in Le Guin's work. According to Donna Haraway, a prominent feminist scholar, failure to name Le Guin is a “refusal of the name of the Father” (Haraway, 1989, p. 181). This refusal, Haraway argues, allows the protagonist to establish a new relationship with the animals, based on mutual respect and understanding rather than hierarchy and domination. The transformative power of anonymization is evident in the protagonist's changing relationship with animals. For example, the snake, formerly named "Enemy" and "Traitor", has no name and becomes the protagonist's companion. This change signifies a rejection of the patriarchal narrative that presents the snake as a villain and a recovery of the protagonist's own narrative (Le Guin, 1985). The act of not naming in “She Unnames Them” also signifies a deeper connection to nature. By rejecting the names given by Adam, the protagonist also rejects the hierarchy imposed by man on the natural world. This rejection allows him to see animals as they really are, not as objects to be named and controlled but as beings with their own intrinsic value. This perspective aligns with ecofeminist theories, which argue that the domination of nature is linked to the domination of women, and that the liberation of both requires a rejection of hierarchical power structures (Merchant, 1980). The transformation of relationships through non-naming is not limited to the protagonist's relationship with animals. This also extends to her relationship with Adam. By pointing to the animals, the protagonist challenges Adam's authority and redefines their relationship. This change is evident in their dialogue, where the protagonist asserts his new autonomy and Adam, although initially resistant, eventually recognizes and respects it (Le Guin, 1985). Counterarguments Critics might argue that not naming could lead to a loss of identity rather than a claim. . However, Le Guin's story suggests otherwise. The protagonist does not lose her identity but redefines it on her own terms. The process of naming is not an erasure but a transformation, a letting go of imposed identities to reveal the authentic self. Another potential counterargument is that the act of not naming could be seen as a rejection of community and shared understanding. After all, names are a way to categorize and understand the world.