Chandra Mohanty "Under Western Eyes"

Question 1

Explain “The Third World Woman”

Answer 1

• An image that appears arbitrarily constructed but carries the authoritative figure of a western woman discourse

Question 2

What is “The Third World Difference”?

Answer 2

A difference that western feminists construct between the two ends of the spectrum. It oppresses all women in these countries, it is the process of homogenizing all the issues that these women face.

Question 3

What does the assumption of the “third world woman” ignore?

Answer 3

It ignores the complex interconnections between the western world and the third world economies and the profound effect that the difference has on women.
(ex. globalisation - this is a discourse for women of the western world)

Question 4

What is wrong with the assumption of the “third world woman”?

Answer 4

• Western feminists assume that all women have the same interests and desires, disregarding class, ethnic or racial differences.
• Feminism is supposed to give all women a voice, so why do these women feel misrepresented?

Question 5

What is the difference between imperialism and colonialism?

Answer 5

Imperialism: political/economical control, ruling from a distance
Colonialism: Subjugation of one people to another, one nation assumes control over the other, occupying a space

• Colonialism is the practice and imperialism is the idea driving the practice