Subversion of identity in Marge Piercy's small changes and woman on the edge of time

Gender theory puts the value to the claim that gender is a socially-oriented frame rather than a natural given one. Gender theory supports that woman and man are fabrications that serve on behalf of heterosexual patriarchal social order, and suggests that it should be undertaken with a deconstructive approach, by taking the concept of woman from the center of the feminist struggles. Furthermore, gender theory expresses that by revealing failures in actualizing gender roles or by showing individuals that are not convenient according to norms naturally, this artificial structure of heterosexual social order can be subverted. In addition to that, gender theory assumes that revealing that gender has a performative characteristic rather than an expressive form may also reveal its unnaturalness.In this work, gender as a social construction and as a performative set of acts is discussed and it is made clear that the impositions about gender norms and roles constitute obstacles for individuals to live ?livable lives?. Marge Piercy?s novels Small Changes and Woman on the Edge of Time are analyzed in this context as they are texts about individuals? insights and life experiences.