13.1 Foundations of Feminist Literary Theory

Feminist literary theory challenges patriarchal assumptions in literature and promotes women's perspectives. It recovers forgotten female authors, analyzes female characters, and develops new critical approaches. This field has evolved from early focus on suffrage to modern intersectional perspectives.

Key theorists like Simone de Beauvoir and Judith Butler have shaped feminist literary criticism. Their work has led to revisions of the literary canon, new reading strategies, and increased representation of diverse female experiences in literature and education.

Principles and Historical Development of Feminist Literary Theory

Key principles of feminist literary theory

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• Challenge patriarchal assumptions in literature exposes gender bias in literary canon questions traditional interpretations of texts (Shakespeare's plays)
• Recover and analyze works by women writers rediscovers forgotten female authors reinterprets classic texts from a feminist perspective (Jane Austen)
• Explore representation of women in literature analyzes female characters and their roles examines stereotypes and archetypes (femme fatale, damsel in distress)
• Develop new critical approaches emphasizes women's experiences and perspectives creates feminist reading strategies (gynocriticism)
• Promote social and political change raises awareness of gender inequality advocates for women's rights through literary criticism (The Handmaid's Tale)

Historical development of feminist criticism

• First-wave feminism (late 19th - early 20th century) focused on women's suffrage and legal rights produced early works like Virginia Woolf's "A Room of One's Own"
• Second-wave feminism (1960s - 1980s) saw emergence of feminist literary criticism as a distinct field introduced key text Kate Millett's "Sexual Politics"
• French feminism (1970s - 1980s) incorporated psychoanalysis and poststructuralism developed écriture féminine by Hélène Cixous and Luce Irigaray
• Third-wave feminism (1990s - present) embraced intersectionality and diverse perspectives focused on individual empowerment and choice
• Fourth-wave feminism (2010s - present) utilizes social media and technology emphasizes inclusivity and global issues (#MeToo movement)

Impact and Key Theorists in Feminist Literary Theory

Impact on literature interpretation

• Revision of literary canon includes more works by women authors reevaluates criteria for literary merit (Emily Dickinson, Toni Morrison)
• New reading strategies introduces resistant reading challenging dominant interpretations focuses on silences and omissions in texts
• Interdisciplinary approaches incorporates social, historical, and cultural contexts integrates with other critical theories (postcolonialism, queer theory)
• Influence on literary production increases representation of diverse female experiences explores feminist themes in contemporary literature (Margaret Atwood)
• Impact on literary education includes feminist perspectives in curricula develops women's studies programs

Contributions of notable feminist theorists

• Simone de Beauvoir introduced concept of woman as "Other" in "The Second Sex" explored existentialist feminism
• Elaine Showalter developed gynocriticism study of women as writers identified phases of women's literary history feminine, feminist, female
• Sandra Gilbert and Susan Gubar analyzed 19th-century women writers in "The Madwoman in the Attic" introduced concept of "anxiety of authorship"
• Judith Butler proposed gender performativity theory questioned gender and sexual binaries
• bell hooks explored intersectionality of race, class, and gender in literature introduced concept of "talking back" as resistance
• Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak developed postcolonial feminist critique introduced concept of the "subaltern" in literature