Traversing the Persona: A Comparative Study of Characterization of Mary Magdalene in Ki Longfellow‘’s The Secret Magdalene and Elizabeth Cunningham‘’s Bright Dark Madonna

Abstract

Grand narratives have always been platforms for re -visitations. These re visitations are made to facilitate a different perception of the canons. This paper attempts to bring to light the  character of Mary Magdalene as depicted in two contemporary novels; The Secret Magdalene by Ki Longfellow and Bright Dark Madonna by Elizabeth Cunningham. The characterization is done in a subversive and strikingly opposite manner. The archetype of a penitent prostitute remains untouched by the authors. Rather an attempt to elevate her to a sublime level of spirituality can be traced. Concept of ‘Gnosis’ comes along with the characterization. An attempt is also made to bring out the three phases of feminism that run through the life events of the character, Mariamne. The two re-created characters attain the same level of divinity but through different means just as the temperaments of the characters are different.  Thus a blend of feminism and spirituality enables the novels to be read as a discourse of spiritual feminism.