Literary Theory II Mid Term

Critical Theory Today

Saira Tabassum MA English Literature

Roll No. 12 Semester 4th

Feminist criticism
Definition:

Feminist theory is the extension of feminism into theoretical, fictional, philosophical

discourse; it aims to understand the nature of gender in equality.

Introduction:

Broadly defined, feminist criticism examines the ways in which literature reinforces or
undermines the economic, political, social, and psychological oppression of women.

Feminism is a movement which firstly started from France in 1960.this movement was
against so - called patriarchal and obsolete outlook which dominates women ’s
emancipation and their discretionary power. In 1893, New Zealand provided women the
right of vote whereas America gave in 1920 and Saudi Arabia in 2011; which is self -
evidently obvious how women have been exploited. As Paula Treichler says:

'Feminism is the radical notion that women are people. "

Basic concepts:

Feminism did not invent these ideologies. Rather, feminism opposes them. For according to
feminist theory, these ideologies are responsible for the oppression of women throughout
the world and for the failure of most women and men to live up to their full human
potential. Therefore, the definition of each patriarchal ideology is followed by feminist
theory's argument against it.

Feminism and literature:

Many literary works have a conflicted response to patriarchal ideology, as we see for
example, in MAry Shelley’s Frankenstein. On the one hand the text undermines patriarchy's
belief in female weakness through its portrayal of women’s strength.

What is patriarchy?
Patriarchy is an ideology which has been permeated in the minds of people which
propagates the superiority of men with regard to women. This concept gives power to men
by promoting traditional gender roles.

Feminism, in this context, opposes this ideology and accentuates that men and women
have equally significant; neither of them is superior. That is, inferior position long occupied
by women in patriarchal society has been culturally, not biographically, produced.

Traditional gender roles:

It is pretended that GOD has created women fragile, vulnerable, emotional, less intelligent
and stupid. On the contrary, men are innately strong, intelligent, Rational and aggressive.

In patriarchal society, either of the gender has to play its specified and defined role.

Feminist do not deny the biological difference between women and men; in fact many
feminist celebrate those differences. But they do not agree that such differences as physical
size shape and body chemistry make men naturally superior to women.

The objectification of women;

From patriarchy perspective, women who adhere to traditional gender roles, are
considered ’good girls' whereas the women who go against these traditions are regarded
'bad girls" and are chastised. Feminist theory points out that both' good girls' and 'bed girls'
are objected by patriarchy.

Sexism:

Feminist have repudiated the concept of traditional gender role. It is believed that women
are naturally weak, emotional, less, capable and less rational. But feminists have
differentiated the difference between the terms 'sex ' and 'gender'. The ratiocinate that
'sex' is decided by GOD who creates either of the sex which is biological make up but '
gender role' is a cultural programming.

Conclusion:

By and large, we can say that feminism theory can be helpful to a large extent to raise the
voice and to create awareness among people, in favor of oppressed women who are
deprived of basic rights. G. D. Anderson states:

"Feminism is not about making women strong. Women are already strong. It is about
changing the way the world perceives that strength. "