Glossary

11.6 Feminist literary criticism

11 min read•august 20, 2024

Feminist literary criticism emerged as a response to the underrepresentation of women in literature. It analyzes and challenges patriarchal norms in literary works, evolving through three waves with distinct focuses and goals.

This approach employs key concepts like gender as a social construct and patriarchal oppression. It aims to uncover hidden biases, reclaim women's voices, and explore female identity in literature, reshaping how we interpret and value literary works.

Origins of feminist criticism

  • Feminist criticism emerged as a response to the underrepresentation and misrepresentation of women in literature and literary studies
  • It aims to analyze and challenge the patriarchal norms and assumptions that shape literary works and their interpretation
  • Feminist criticism has evolved through three main waves, each with its distinct focus and goals

First wave feminism

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  • Emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, focusing on and legal rights (property ownership, divorce)
  • Key figures include Mary Wollstonecraft, who argued for women's education and equality in "A Vindication of the Rights of Woman" (1792)
  • First wave feminists laid the groundwork for later feminist movements and literary criticism

Second wave feminism

  • Developed in the 1960s and 1970s, emphasizing women's liberation and challenging traditional
  • Focused on issues such as reproductive rights, workplace discrimination, and sexual violence
  • Influential works include 's "The Feminine Mystique" (1963) and 's "Sexual Politics" (1970)
  • Second wave feminism had a significant impact on the development of feminist literary criticism

Third wave feminism

  • Emerged in the 1990s, embracing diversity and within the feminist movement
  • Challenged essentialist notions of gender and recognized the experiences of marginalized women (women of color, LGBTQ+ women)
  • Key figures include , who coined the term "third wave" in her essay "Becoming the Third Wave" (1992)
  • Third wave feminism has influenced contemporary feminist literary criticism and its attention to diverse voices and experiences

Key concepts

  • Feminist criticism employs several key concepts to analyze and interpret literary works through a feminist lens
  • These concepts help to uncover and challenge the patriarchal assumptions and power structures that shape literature and society
  • Understanding these concepts is crucial for applying feminist criticism to literary texts

Gender as social construct

  • Feminist criticism views gender as a social construct rather than a biological given
  • Gender roles and expectations are shaped by cultural, historical, and political factors
  • Literature often reflects and reinforces these socially constructed gender norms and stereotypes
  • Feminist critics aim to expose and challenge the ways in which literature perpetuates limiting gender roles and expectations

Patriarchal oppression

  • refers to a social system in which men hold primary power and dominate in roles of political leadership, moral authority, and control of property
  • Feminist criticism examines how literature reflects and reinforces patriarchal oppression and the subordination of women
  • Patriarchal oppression can manifest in various forms in literature (silencing of female characters, objectification of women, glorification of male power)
  • Feminist critics seek to expose and resist the patriarchal ideologies embedded in literary works

Women's lived experiences

  • Feminist criticism values and prioritizes women's lived experiences as a source of knowledge and insight
  • It recognizes that women's experiences have often been marginalized or ignored in literature and literary studies
  • Feminist critics aim to reclaim and validate women's experiences, voices, and perspectives in literary works
  • Analyzing literature through the lens of women's lived experiences can reveal new meanings and interpretations that challenge dominant patriarchal narratives

Feminist literary theory

  • Feminist literary theory encompasses various approaches to analyzing and interpreting literature from a feminist perspective
  • These approaches share a common goal of uncovering and challenging the patriarchal assumptions and power structures that shape literary works
  • Feminist literary theory has evolved over time, incorporating new ideas and perspectives from different waves of feminism and intersecting with other critical theories

Gynocriticism

  • , a term coined by , focuses on the study of women writers and the female literary tradition
  • It aims to recover and analyze works by women writers who have been marginalized or forgotten in the male-dominated literary canon
  • Gynocriticism examines the unique experiences, themes, and styles in women's writing and how they differ from male-authored texts
  • It also explores the ways in which women writers subvert or challenge patriarchal literary conventions and create new forms of expression

Écriture féminine

  • , or "feminine writing," is a concept developed by French feminist critics such as and Luce Irigaray
  • It refers to a style of writing that embraces and expresses the female body, sexuality, and language
  • Écriture féminine seeks to break free from the constraints of patriarchal language and create a new, subversive form of expression
  • It emphasizes fluidity, multiplicity, and non-linear narratives as a means of resisting and subverting male-dominated literary traditions

Intersectionality in literature

  • Intersectionality, a concept introduced by Kimberlé Crenshaw, recognizes the interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, class, and gender
  • Feminist literary criticism has increasingly incorporated intersectionality to analyze how these multiple identities and forms of oppression intersect and shape women's experiences in literature
  • Intersectional approaches to literature examine how characters' experiences are influenced by the intersection of their gender with other aspects of their identity (race, sexuality, class)
  • Intersectionality helps to reveal the complex and diverse experiences of women in literature and challenges essentialist notions of gender

Prominent feminist critics

  • Feminist literary criticism has been shaped by the contributions of numerous influential scholars and theorists
  • These critics have developed and refined feminist approaches to literature, challenging traditional patriarchal assumptions and offering new perspectives on literary works
  • Their ideas and theories have had a lasting impact on the field of literary studies and continue to inform contemporary feminist criticism

Virginia Woolf

  • , a modernist writer and essayist, is considered a pioneering figure in feminist literary criticism
  • In her essay "A Room of One's Own" (1929), Woolf argues that women writers need financial independence and a space of their own to create literature
  • She critiques the patriarchal literary tradition and imagines a new kind of androgynous writing that transcends gender limitations
  • Woolf's ideas about women's writing and the need for female agency have been highly influential in feminist literary criticism

Simone de Beauvoir

  • , a French existentialist philosopher and writer, made significant contributions to feminist theory with her groundbreaking work "" (1949)
  • In this book, Beauvoir analyzes the social, political, and cultural factors that have contributed to women's oppression throughout history
  • She famously asserts that "one is not born, but rather becomes, a woman," emphasizing the social construction of gender
  • Beauvoir's ideas about gender as a social construct and the need for women's liberation have been foundational to feminist literary criticism

Hélène Cixous

  • Hélène Cixous, a French feminist writer and theorist, is known for her concept of écriture féminine, or "feminine writing"
  • In her essay "The Laugh of the Medusa" (1976), Cixous calls for women to write themselves and their bodies as a means of resisting patriarchal oppression
  • She argues that écriture féminine can subvert and transform the male-dominated language and literary traditions
  • Cixous's ideas about feminine writing and the subversive potential of language have been influential in feminist literary criticism

Elaine Showalter

  • Elaine Showalter, an American literary critic, is a key figure in the development of gynocriticism
  • In her essay "Toward a Feminist Poetics" (1979), Showalter argues for the need to study women writers and the female literary tradition on their own terms
  • She proposes a three-phase model of the evolution of women's writing: feminine, feminist, and female
  • Showalter's work has been instrumental in reclaiming and analyzing the contributions of women writers to the literary canon

Feminist approaches to literature

  • Feminist literary criticism employs various approaches to analyze and interpret literary works from a feminist perspective
  • These approaches aim to uncover and challenge the patriarchal assumptions and power structures that shape literature and society
  • Feminist approaches to literature seek to reclaim women's voices, subvert patriarchal narratives, and explore the representation of female identity

Reclaiming women writers

  • Feminist critics work to recover and analyze the works of women writers who have been marginalized or forgotten in the male-dominated literary canon
  • This involves researching and publishing on lesser-known women writers, as well as re-evaluating the contributions of more well-known female authors
  • Reclaiming women writers helps to challenge the notion of a universal, male-centered literary tradition and reveals the diversity and richness of women's literary voices
  • Examples of reclaimed women writers include Zora Neale Hurston, Kate Chopin, and Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Subverting patriarchal narratives

  • Feminist critics examine how literary works reinforce or challenge patriarchal narratives and assumptions
  • This involves analyzing the representation of gender roles, power dynamics, and female agency in literary texts
  • Feminist approaches seek to uncover and critique the ways in which literature perpetuates limiting and oppressive gender stereotypes
  • Subverting patriarchal narratives can involve re-reading canonical texts from a feminist perspective, as well as analyzing how women writers resist and transform traditional literary forms

Representing female identity

  • Feminist criticism explores the representation of female identity in literature, including how women's experiences, desires, and struggles are portrayed
  • This involves examining the complex and diverse ways in which women's identities are shaped by factors such as race, class, sexuality, and culture
  • Feminist approaches aim to validate and prioritize women's lived experiences as a source of knowledge and insight in literary analysis
  • Representing female identity in literature can involve challenging essentialist notions of gender and celebrating the multiplicity and fluidity of women's identities

Feminist criticism vs other theories

  • Feminist literary criticism intersects and engages with various other critical theories and approaches
  • While sharing some common goals and assumptions, feminist criticism also has distinct features and priorities that set it apart from other theories
  • Comparing and contrasting feminist criticism with other theories can help to illuminate its unique contributions and limitations

Feminist criticism vs Marxist criticism

  • Both feminist and Marxist criticism analyze literature in relation to social and political power structures
  • However, while Marxist criticism focuses primarily on class oppression and economic inequality, feminist criticism prioritizes gender as a key factor in shaping literary works and their interpretation
  • Feminist critics may incorporate Marxist ideas about the intersection of gender and class, but they emphasize the specific experiences and struggles of women within patriarchal systems

Feminist criticism vs psychoanalytic criticism

  • Both feminist and psychoanalytic criticism explore the psychological dimensions of literature and the representation of gender and sexuality
  • However, feminist critics often challenge the male-centered assumptions and biases of traditional psychoanalytic theory (Freudian and Lacanian)
  • Feminist criticism aims to develop alternative models of female psychology and desire that are grounded in women's lived experiences and resist patriarchal norms

Feminist criticism vs postcolonial criticism

  • Both feminist and postcolonial criticism analyze literature in relation to power, oppression, and resistance
  • However, while feminist criticism focuses primarily on gender oppression, postcolonial criticism examines the legacy of colonialism and the experiences of colonized peoples
  • Feminist critics may incorporate postcolonial ideas about the intersection of gender and race/ethnicity, but they prioritize the specific experiences and struggles of women within patriarchal and colonial systems

Impact on literary canon

  • Feminist literary criticism has had a significant impact on the literary canon and the way in which literature is studied and taught
  • By challenging traditional assumptions and reclaiming marginalized voices, feminist criticism has helped to expand and transform the canon
  • Feminist approaches have also influenced the way in which canonical texts are interpreted and analyzed

Expanding the canon

  • Feminist critics have worked to recover and include works by women writers who have been excluded from the traditional male-dominated canon
  • This has involved researching and publishing on lesser-known women writers, as well as re-evaluating the contributions of more well-known female authors
  • Expanding the canon helps to challenge the notion of a universal, male-centered literary tradition and reveals the diversity and richness of women's literary voices
  • Examples of women writers who have been included in the canon as a result of feminist criticism include Zora Neale Hurston, Kate Chopin, and Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Challenging traditional interpretations

  • Feminist criticism has challenged traditional, male-centered interpretations of canonical literary works
  • This involves re-reading texts from a feminist perspective, uncovering the patriarchal assumptions and biases that have shaped their reception and analysis
  • Challenging traditional interpretations can reveal new meanings and insights in canonical works, as well as expose the limitations and blind spots of previous critical approaches
  • Examples of canonical texts that have been re-interpreted through a feminist lens include Shakespeare's plays, Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter," and Ernest Hemingway's novels

Influencing contemporary literature

  • Feminist literary criticism has also had a significant impact on contemporary literature and the way in which writers approach their craft
  • Many contemporary authors, both male and female, have been influenced by feminist ideas and incorporate them into their works
  • Feminist criticism has encouraged writers to challenge traditional gender roles, explore diverse female experiences, and experiment with new forms and styles of writing
  • Examples of contemporary works that reflect feminist influences include Margaret Atwood's "," Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's "We Should All Be Feminists," and Roxane Gay's "Bad Feminist"

Criticisms and limitations

  • While feminist literary criticism has made significant contributions to the study of literature, it has also faced various criticisms and limitations
  • These criticisms highlight the need for ongoing reflection and revision within feminist criticism, as well as the importance of intersectional and diverse perspectives
  • Engaging with these criticisms and limitations can help to strengthen and refine feminist approaches to literature

Essentialism in feminist theory

  • Some critics argue that feminist theory has sometimes relied on essentialist notions of gender, assuming a universal female experience or identity
  • Essentialism can obscure the diversity and complexity of women's experiences, as well as reinforce limiting gender stereotypes
  • Feminist critics have increasingly recognized the need to challenge essentialist assumptions and embrace intersectional approaches that account for the multiple and overlapping identities of women

Neglect of other marginalized identities

  • Feminist criticism has sometimes been criticized for prioritizing gender over other forms of oppression and marginalization (race, class, sexuality)
  • This can lead to the neglect or marginalization of the experiences of women who face multiple and intersecting forms of oppression
  • Feminist critics have increasingly recognized the importance of intersectionality and the need to analyze gender in relation to other social identities and power structures

Debates within feminist criticism

  • Feminist literary criticism is not a monolithic or static field, but rather encompasses a range of diverse and sometimes conflicting perspectives
  • There are ongoing debates and disagreements within feminist criticism about issues such as the role of theory, the relationship between feminism and other critical approaches, and the priorities and goals of feminist literary analysis
  • These debates reflect the dynamic and evolving nature of feminist criticism, as well as the need for ongoing dialogue and self-reflection within the field

Key Terms to Review (25)

Androcentrism: Androcentrism is the practice of placing male human beings or masculine points of view at the center of one's worldview, often leading to the marginalization of women and their experiences. This perspective tends to prioritize male experiences and values while disregarding or minimizing the contributions and perspectives of women. In literature, androcentrism often manifests in narratives that reflect predominantly male viewpoints and reinforce traditional gender roles.
Betty Friedan: Betty Friedan was a prominent American feminist, writer, and activist best known for her influential book 'The Feminine Mystique,' published in 1963. This groundbreaking work criticized the traditional roles of women in society and sparked the second-wave feminist movement, leading to increased awareness and activism regarding women's rights and gender equality.
Cultural feminism: Cultural feminism is a branch of feminist theory that emphasizes the importance of women's experiences, values, and contributions to society, often highlighting the distinct differences between male and female perspectives. It advocates for recognizing and valuing traditionally feminine traits and roles as a means of understanding and improving women's social standing. This approach also challenges patriarchal norms by suggesting that society should embrace and celebrate feminine qualities.
écriture féminine: Écriture féminine is a literary concept that emphasizes the distinct ways women write and express their experiences, often challenging traditional male-dominated narratives. It seeks to explore female subjectivity and identity through language, form, and content that reflect women's unique perspectives and lived experiences. This term is connected to feminist literary criticism as it critiques the patriarchal structures in literature and promotes the value of women's voices.
Elaine Showalter: Elaine Showalter is a prominent feminist literary critic and scholar known for her influential work in the field of women’s literature and feminist criticism. She played a pivotal role in establishing the concept of 'gynocriticism,' which focuses on women's writing and the female experience in literature, providing a framework to analyze texts from a female perspective. Showalter’s theories often emphasize the historical and cultural contexts that shape women's writing, linking her ideas closely with significant literary figures like Virginia Woolf.
Female archetypes: Female archetypes are universal symbols or motifs representing various roles and characteristics associated with women in literature and culture. These archetypes often reflect societal expectations, ideals, and narratives about femininity, ranging from nurturing figures to independent warriors. Understanding these archetypes is crucial for analyzing texts through a feminist lens, as they reveal how women have been portrayed and the implications of these portrayals on gender roles.
Feminine identity: Feminine identity refers to the social and cultural constructs that define what it means to be a woman in a particular society, shaped by norms, expectations, and experiences. It encompasses the roles, behaviors, and attributes that societies traditionally associate with women, often influenced by historical contexts and feminist movements. Understanding feminine identity is crucial for examining how literature reflects and critiques these constructs and the impact they have on women's experiences.
Gender roles: Gender roles are societal expectations and norms that dictate the behaviors, activities, and responsibilities considered appropriate for individuals based on their gender. These roles shape the way characters are portrayed and perceived in literature, reflecting the broader cultural values and constraints of their time.
Gynocriticism: Gynocriticism is a feminist literary approach that focuses on women's literature and the female experience, examining the ways in which women's identities and roles are represented in literature. This critical framework aims to understand the unique perspectives of female authors and how their works reflect and shape women's experiences, as well as the cultural and social conditions that inform their writing. By prioritizing women’s voices and narratives, gynocriticism seeks to establish a distinct literary tradition that highlights female creativity and challenges patriarchal norms.
Hélène Cixous: Hélène Cixous is a French feminist writer, philosopher, and literary critic known for her contributions to feminist literary theory, particularly through her concept of 'écriture féminine' or feminine writing. She emphasizes the importance of women's experiences and perspectives in literature, advocating for a new way of writing that breaks from patriarchal constraints. Cixous's work challenges traditional narratives and seeks to empower women by giving them a voice in the literary canon.
Intersectionality: Intersectionality is a framework that examines how various social identities—such as race, gender, class, sexuality, and others—interact and create overlapping systems of discrimination or disadvantage. This concept emphasizes that individuals experience multiple, intersecting forms of oppression simultaneously, which can result in unique social experiences and challenges that cannot be understood by looking at each identity in isolation.
Kate Millett: Kate Millett was a prominent feminist writer, activist, and scholar known for her groundbreaking work in feminist literary criticism. Her influential book, 'Sexual Politics' (1970), analyzed the power dynamics within literature and society, highlighting the ways in which patriarchal structures shape both culture and individual identities. Millett's work not only critiqued literature from a feminist perspective but also addressed broader societal issues, making her a pivotal figure in the feminist movement and literary criticism.
Liberal feminism: Liberal feminism is a branch of feminist thought that focuses on achieving gender equality through legal and political reforms within the existing social and political structures. It advocates for women's rights and equal opportunities in education, employment, and political participation, emphasizing the importance of individual choice and freedom. This perspective seeks to dismantle barriers to women's advancement while promoting the idea that women should have equal access to the same rights as men.
Male gaze: The male gaze is a concept in feminist theory that describes the way visual arts and literature depict the world and women from a masculine, heterosexual perspective. It highlights how women are often objectified and represented as subjects to be looked at by men, thereby reinforcing gender power dynamics. This perspective not only shapes narratives but also influences the cultural understanding of gender roles and femininity.
Modernism: Modernism is a broad cultural, artistic, and literary movement that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, characterized by a deliberate break from traditional styles and subjects. It reflects a shift towards new forms of expression and explores themes of fragmentation, alienation, and the complexities of modern life in response to rapid changes in society, technology, and worldview.
Patriarchy: Patriarchy is a social system in which men hold primary power, dominating in roles of political leadership, moral authority, social privilege, and control of property. This structure often results in the marginalization of women and the reinforcement of traditional gender roles. It shapes cultural narratives and institutions, affecting various aspects of life including literature, art, and personal relationships.
Postmodernism: Postmodernism is a broad intellectual and artistic movement that emerged in the mid-20th century, characterized by a questioning of traditional narratives, structures, and values. This movement often embraces irony, playfulness, and a sense of skepticism towards grand theories or ideologies, reflecting the complexities of contemporary life.
Rebecca Walker: Rebecca Walker is an influential feminist writer and activist known for her contributions to contemporary feminist thought, particularly in the context of intersectionality. Her work emphasizes the importance of recognizing diverse voices and experiences within feminism, advocating for a more inclusive movement that addresses issues of race, class, and sexuality alongside gender.
Sandra Gilbert: Sandra Gilbert is a prominent feminist literary critic, poet, and scholar known for her influential works that examine women's writing and its societal implications. Her contributions to feminist literary theory emphasize the need to recognize the female voice in literature, arguing that traditional literary canon often marginalizes or overlooks women authors and their perspectives.
Simone de beauvoir: Simone de Beauvoir was a French existentialist philosopher, writer, and feminist, best known for her groundbreaking work 'The Second Sex' which critically examined women's oppression and the construction of female identity. Her relationship with Jean-Paul Sartre influenced her philosophical and literary contributions, especially within existentialism and feminist theory, establishing her as a pivotal figure in both movements.
The Handmaid's Tale: The Handmaid's Tale is a dystopian novel by Margaret Atwood that depicts a totalitarian society where women are subjugated and reduced to their reproductive functions. This narrative serves as a powerful critique of patriarchal structures, exploring themes of gender oppression, autonomy, and the consequences of extreme ideological governance.
The second sex: The Second Sex is a foundational text in feminist philosophy written by Simone de Beauvoir, published in 1949. It examines the historical and social construction of women's oppression, arguing that women have been relegated to the role of the 'Other' in a patriarchal society. This concept is pivotal in understanding feminist fiction and feminist literary criticism, as it challenges the traditional narratives that have marginalized women's experiences and voices.
Virginia Woolf: Virginia Woolf was an influential English writer known for her modernist works, which challenged traditional narrative forms and explored the intricacies of human consciousness. Her novels often utilize innovative techniques like stream of consciousness, nonlinear narratives, and fragmentation to delve into the inner lives of her characters, reflecting broader themes of identity, gender, and societal change during her time.
Women's suffrage: Women's suffrage refers to the movement advocating for women's right to vote in political elections. This significant social and political struggle aimed to challenge and change the existing legal barriers that denied women the same voting rights as men, leading to broader discussions about gender equality and social justice.
World War II and Women's Roles: World War II marked a significant shift in women's roles, as millions of women entered the workforce and took on roles traditionally held by men, significantly changing societal perceptions of gender and work. This era saw women contributing to the war effort in various capacities, from factory workers to military service, which paved the way for future movements advocating for gender equality and women's rights.
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