Transcript Feminist Literary Criticism

Feminist Literary Criticism
Origin
Grew out of
the women’s
movements
following
WWII.
Two basic forms...
Feminist Criticism - analysis of the
depiction of women and their relation to
the woman reader by male authors.
Gynocriticism - the study of women’s
writing.
Feminism
Premises
Premises
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Women are oppressed by patriarchy
economically, politically, socially and
physiologically; patriarchal ideology is
the primary means by which they are
kept so.
Premises
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In every domain where patriarchy reigns
woman is other: she is objectified and
marginalized, defined only by her
difference from male norms and values
defined by what she (allegedly) lacks and
that men (allegedly) have.
Premises
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All of Western civilization is deeply rooted in
patriarchal ideology; for example, in the
numerous patriarchal women and female
monsters of Greek and Roman literature and
mythology; the patriarchal interpretation of the
biblical Eve as the origin of sin and death in the
world; the representation of woman as a nonrational creature by traditional Western
philosophy. Even the development of Western
canon of great literature including traditional
fairy tales is the product of patriarchal ideology.
Premises
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All feminist activity including feminist
theory and literary criticism has as its
ultimate goal to change the world by
promoting women’s equality.
Premises
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Gender issues play a part in every aspect
of human production and experience
including the production and expedience
of literature whether we are consciously
aware of these issues or not.
Premises
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While biology determines our sex (male or
female), culture determines our gender
(masculine or feminine). That is, for those
English-speaking feminists the word gender
refers not to our anatomy but to our behavior as
socially programmed men and women. I behave
“like a woman” , for example submissively, not
because it is natural for me to do so but because
I was taught to do so. In fact, all the traits
associated with masculine and feminine
behavior are learned not inborn.
Patriarchy
“any culture that privileges men by
promoting traditional gender roles.”
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What are traditional gender roles?
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Men: “rational, strong, protective, and
decisive”
Women: “emotional (irrational), weak,
nurturing and submissive”
How has patriarchy operated in institutions
throughout history?
Institution
Traditional Gender Roles
Family
Head vs. Supporter
Religion
Head of church vs. workers/supporters
Government
Political leaders vs. secretary
Military
Generals/soldiers vs. victims/observers/ nurses
Workforce
CEO vs . secretary
Sports
“Field leader” quarterback vs. Cheerleaders/eye candy
Fashion
Freedom vs. restriction, simple vs. ornate
Feminism Jargon
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LOTS of binaries!
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Rational vs. irrational; dominating vs.
submissive; public domain vs. domestic
realm; provider/protector vs.
caretaker/mother; strong vs. gentle/weak
Verbs for female: transgress/subvert/defy OR
succumb/submit/conform.
What happens to patriarchy: Entrenched or
destabilized? Reinforced? By whom?
Female Role
Consider the roles and
situations of female
characters.
Make lists of different
aspects of the female
character’s place in the
overall story.
Include anecdotal
scenarios that will back up
your thesis.
Female Relationship
Look at the
relationship of female
characters to each
other.
Examine any
discrepancies that
might shed light on
the overall role of
females in the story.
Woman vs. Man
Review the role of female
characters in relation to their
male counterparts.
Literary criticism has its famous
set of contrasts (i.e. man vs.
nature, man vs. society) that set up
points of inquiry.
In this case, your fundamental
contrast would be woman vs. man.
The Female Worldview
Consider the attitudes of characters and how their
world-views contribute to the eventual outcomes in
the story.
The goals of characters may not cause outcomes.
Evaluate how “powerful” each character becomes.
Some questions to consider...
How are the lives of men and women portrayed in
the work? Do the men and women in the work
accept or reject these roles?
Is the form and content of the work influenced by
the author’s gender?
Questions cont...
How are attitudes explicit or implicit
concerning heterosexual or homosexual
relationships? Are these relationships
sources of conflict?Do they provide
resolutions to conflicts?
Does the work challenge or affirm traditional
ideas about men and women and same-sex
relationships?
A goldmine of patriarchy: Disney fairytales!!
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One Example: Snow White.
Discuss: Does Snow White operate under
patriarchal gender roles? Why or why
not?
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Unpack plot/characters and apply
feminist jargon
Practice constructing a thesis…
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What kind of thesis can we make for a
feminist “reading” of Snow White?
Remember specifics of feminist thesis:
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Find tension that stems from patriarchy
What is the author saying about that
tension?