Chapter 1 of this thesis defines the archetype of the Lethal Woman, a figure that embodies negative conceptions of female

violence and aggression, and outlines the succession of Lethal Women figures appearing in folklore, fiction, and film throughout the ages. The chapter goes on to examine Oatess The Vampire and discuss how in this work, Oates exposes the sexism and androcentric motives behind the creation and perpetual reinforcement of the Lethal Woman archetype. Chapter 2 focuses on the stories Lover, Gun Love, and Secret, Silent, all of which explore the psychological impulses behind female violence and other more subversive methods utilized by women for handling their aggression. This second chapter also celebrates Oatess means of depicting female violence and aggression, as her works offer a refreshing alternative to historical and contemporary narratives involving stock Lethal Woman characters, including the currently popular oversexed and overly sexy Seduce and Destroy figure. Questioning the legitimacy or normalcy of female aggression is similar to questioning the normalcy of Oatess tendency to write about violence. It is insulting, ignorant, and sexist (Why 35). Nonetheless, the general perception is that women who behave

aggressively or act violently are freaks who are either trying to be men or just crazy (Campbell 144). Joyce Carol Oates contributes to a recent ground-breaking trend by focusing a fresh eye on female initiated aggression and violence. It is appropriate that Oates has decided to address this issue in her fiction. She has always been a woman writer unconcerned by gender norms, and unafraid to write aggressively.