DOI: 10.36344/ccijhss.2020.v06i07.001

Pages: 102-108

The English Patient, is the masterpiece by Canadian author Michael Ondaatje, whose complex structure, various themes and identity concerns have always been the focus of controversy among literary critics. However, few of them explore the deconstruction of the main characters’ gender identities in the novel. Thus, based on some theories relevant to identity concerns, the paper tries to analyze the gender identities of main characters in The English Patient, and explore the complexity and ambiguity of the theme and characters in the novel. It studies the characters’ gender identities in four aspects to eliminate the binary opposition, and each aspect is represented by one or two characters. Then, the paper provides two cultural significances based on the research, which hopes to help people find a sense of belonging in the identity confusion and anxiety and gives a reference for the relevant researches on identity concerns.