Reader Response Feminist theory What is literary or critical theory?
What do you mean by critical perspective? The terms literary theory and critical theory refer to essentially the same fields of study. They both address ways of looking at literature beyond the typical plot-theme, character-setting studies. There are several benefits:
What are the benefits of studying a work from more than one critical perspective? There are several benefits: One of the views is likely to affirm your perspective and speak to what you see in the literature you are studying. Studying a view different from yoursnot to disagree with it, but to understand ithelps you understand those who hold that view. Studying a work from more than one view gives you a deeper understanding of the authors work and a better appreciation for the richness of it. Introduction to feminist theory
Misogyny Sexism Feminism other Gender patriarchy Feminism Belief in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes. The goals of feminism are: To demonstrate the importance of women To reveal that historically women have been subordinate to men To bring about gender equity. Gender social category imposed on a sexed body cultural construction
ideas about appropriate roles for women and men. WHO DRIVES THE MOTORCYCLE?BARBIE OR KEN?WHY? SEXISM What is Sexism Sexism is any attitude, action, or institutional structure which subordinates and subjucates a person or group because of gender (sex). The components of sexism are prejudice and discrimination. What does patriarchy mean?
the rule of men as a social group over women as a social group, and a system based on sexual hierarchy, with men at the top and women below. Misogyny Misogyny means woman-hating.
Terms like slut, whore, ho, tramp, trick, and tart stem from misogyny. Feminist Theory Examines the ways in which literature (and other cultural productions) reinforce or undermine the economic, political, social, and psychological oppression of women (Tyson 81). Feminist Theory Three main areas of study and points of criticism exist in the Feminist Theory: 1. differences between men and women 2. women in positions of power and power dynamics between men and women 3. the female experience Feminist Theory Examining Cinderella from a Feminist perspective.
Consider the potentially misogynist theme of abused-girl-waiting-to-be-rescued-by-prince. Consider the values conveyed in the portrayal of the good girl as physically beautiful and the wicked girls as physically ugly. A Feminist Critique of Cinderella and other female heroines Cinderellas Gender Biases
Gender Stereotype Cinderella Women: Nurturing, kind, passive, non-logical, not powerful Beautiful, skinny Willing to marry, waiting for Marriage Manipulative, catty Men Logical-problem solvers Strong Handsome and powerful Cinderella White, beautiful, passive, kind, waiting for a Prince to rescue her Stepmother/sister Ugly, vindictive, evil, cruel and jealous of Cinderellas beauty Prince: Handsome, strong Figures out how to solve the problem Rescues Cinderella A Feminist critic would analyze Twilight
A Feminist critic would analyze Twilight.These pictures depict her as: insecure, submissive, dependent, reliant, protected, main but lesser, sustained by, accessory, strong because of, empowered by, obedient, even slavish A Feminist critic, such as myself, would analyze Juno
A Feminist critic, such as myself, would analyze Juno.These pictures depict her as: confident, powerful, equal, firm, at peace, dauntless, self-sufficient, co-owning, secure, judged but able to withstand, even bolder than her man Pause the lecture and watch clip 2 from Waiting to Exhale
A Medium for Voice Waiting to Exhale is avenue for black feministthought; it gives blackwomen voice and affirmsblack solidarity andsisterhood while alsoproviding a means forblack women tocommunicate their livedexperiences to themasses. Pause the lecture and watchclip 2 from Waiting toExhale Real Women Have Curves As you watch this film use feminist theory to decide if the women in this film are portrayed a positive or negative light.