FEMINIST CRITICISM IN LITERATURE

BY: TAYA VANBL ARICUM, LUKE JOHNSON, L ANDON BASNER

WHAT IS FEMINISM? Definition: the advocacy of women's rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men.• ~as many aspects of life are based

around a patriarchal or “male” system of inequality towards women literary feminist criticism is established on the history, social stereotypes and psychological principles of human nature.

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HOW DOES FEMINISM TIE TO LITERATURE?Feministic critique of literature can be harbored in this basis of; ~equality : how a man and a woman are treated equally or unequal, which has been an ongoing conundrum throughout centuries

~roles of the gender : how a woman or a man interact in the world and how certain activities are done through the acceptable views of society through the authors eyes (or characters viewpoint)

~sociopolitical ideas are often brought up using feministic criticism

WHO INFLUENCED FEMINISTIC CRITICISM?Throughout the centuries, several individuals/groups have

influenced this type of criticism or utilized it and made it an effective way of analyzing literature.

Mary Wollstonecraft, who primarily laid the foundation for the beginning of women's rights (1759-1797)

Abigail Adams, was also a strong advocate of early feminism in schooling for young girls

Various other women and men have contributed to this idea and type of criticism though literature, even seen as early as Shakespeare’s the Taming of the Shrew developed through the ideas of Katherine and her views of marriage and Petruchio’s treatment of her as his wife

LIBERAL

Used in mainstream

society for the integration of women into

society

MARXIST/SOCIALIST FEMINISM

Recognizes women's

oppression

RADIAL

Considered the objectionable

side to feminism, transform society

CULTURAL

Tied to radial, slightly more subjective in

nature

TYPES OF FEMINISM

WHEN DID FEMINISM REALLY TAKE OFF?

During the 1970’s woman's activism really started to make a major appearance though rallying and major contrasts in ideas about what women should be able to do regarding gender roles and overall equality in a patriarchal or male led society (a.k.a mans world)

From the 1700’s to the 1900’s all developed this idea in general though and has continued to grow popularity in politics and everyday life in ideas like women's suffrage

THE PROS AND CONS OF FEMINISTIC CRITICISM

STRENGTHS

Encompasses a gender that is generally unheard in matters of politics,

WEAKNESSESOne sided

Pessimistic at times

KEY TERMS ASSOCIATED WITH FEMINISTIC CRITICISM Oppression: the exercise of authority or power in a

burdensome, cruel, or unjust manner.

Prejudice: an unfavorable opinion or feeling formed beforehand or without knowledge, thought, or reason.

Advocacy: the act of pleading for, supporting, or recommending

Gender/gender roles:

https://onlineacademiccommunity.uvic.ca/richardg/2013/11/03/feminism-epistemology-and-activism-an-analysis-of-feminisms-strength-and-weakness-and-considerations-for-future-developments

/http://www.uah.edu/woolf/feminism_kinds.htm

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/oppression?s=t

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/prejudice?s=t

http://www.firstladies.org/biographies/firstladies.aspx?biography=2

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Wollstonecraft

http://www.uah.edu/woolf/feminism_kinds.htm