Feminist Literary Criticism
Basic Information
This type of criticism focuses
on the role that women play
in literature, politics, and art.
Started so females
could achieve
equality
This theory focuses on our
culture and how it's male dominated
Men are cast as rational, strong,
protective, and decisive. They
cast women as emotional, weak,
nurturing and submissive.
Universality
White male authors describing
from a white male point of view was
considered the standard of universality (existing everywhere)
Works of white female authors (and non-white) do not describe experiences
from white male point of view, they were not considered universal.
?
A typical feminist critic would be
questioning the relationship between the
female/male role. Questioning stereotypical depictions.
Feminists analyze the role WOMEN
play
How is the relationship between men and women portrayed?
What are the power relationships between men and women?
How are male and female roles defined?
Do characters take on traits from opposite genders? How so? How does this change others’ reactions to them? (such as, a man crying, or a female involved in violence.)
What does the work say about women creativity?
What are the female points of view, concerns, and values presented in the text? And if absent, how so and why?
Many feminists look at
creativity, stereotypes, ideology,
racial issues, and marginality.
In Text
Legally Blonde
- Dumb blonde?
- Attends Harvard
- The role Elle plays?
- Relationship?
Mr. and Mrs. Smith
- Both are powerful strong characters
- Woman takes on male characteristics
- Yet Mr. takes the leading spot
Nicki Minaj
- "Female rapper"
- Just as powerful
- In the same type of music category
Harry Potter
- Shortened her first name
- Not just female readers
- How is she powerful?
- How is she compared to male writers?
NBA and WNBA
- One title
- More attention to NBA
Harry Potter
Hermione
Smarter
The go-to person
Dracula
- Mina Murray
- Strong and smart
- Works along side of Van Helsing
Oedipus Rex
- Jocasta
- Had no voice; death
- Should be able to make own decisions
- Women's Rights
“Women have been taught that, for us, the earth is flat, and
that if we venture out, we will fall off the edge"
Andrea Dworkin
How to