Feminist Criticism

Question 1

Feminist Lit

Answer 1

Emerged in 1970s-80s

Examins the ways in which literature reflects and reinforces gendered pwoer dynamics as well as how to challenge these dynamics

Uncover ways women have been opress or marginalized and take in account womens experiences and perspectives

Question 2

Feature of Criticim

Answer 2

1. Challenge to traditional literary canon (womens work have beein mariglized and ignored)
2. Focus on women experiences and perspectives
3. Anaylsis of gendered power dynamics; literature reflect and reinforces gendered power dynamics incldung oppressing women)
4. Critique of patriarchy (dominaue of men over women)
5. Development of new methods of analysis (feminist literature to take in account women)
6. Recovery of lost or forgotten texts (texts by women)
7. challlenge to tradtional notions of genre
8. Focus on intersectionality (women are shaped by race, class, sex…)

Question 3

Key Concepts

Answer 3

Patriarchy - Systen of power and privilege that is baed on domaince of men over women

Opressions; dominations of group over other

Agency; ability to make choices and act in ones owns interest (limited for women)

Empowerment; Process of gaining confidence autonomy, and self-determination throuh resistence