Introduction to Literary Theories and Criticisms (Enla 422), 2011
Goals of Feminist Literary Criticism
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| Goals of Feminist Literary Criticism
Whatever women know about they opt to do, the end is justified by men (Ethiopians also say ‘Set Biyawk Bewond Yalk’). The goal of feminism therefore is changing these devaluating views so as women realize they are not the “significant other” and understand that they have given privileges and rights as every man. Based on this general umbrella there are also specific goals of feminists which can be summarized in the following six points: Developing and uncovering a female tradition of writing; Interpreting symbolism of women’s writings so that it will not be lost or ignored by male perspectives; Rediscovering old texts of female writers; Analyzing women writers and their writings from female perspective; Resisting gender stereotyping in literature; and Increasing awareness of the sexual politics of language and style (Shildrick, 1997). Having these goals in mind, critics may need to ask the following questions to analyze females’ representations in a certain text. However, the criticism may not only limit to these questions, for the approach and the techniques employ in the analysis matters. This term paper taken into accounts most of this questions inline with the Post Modernism and Deconstruction perspective. Here follows the questions: Is the author male or female? Is the text narrated by male or female? What types of roles do women have in the text? Are the female characters the protagonists or secondary and minor characters? Do any stereotypical characterizations of women appear? What are the attitudes towards women held by the male characters? What is the author’s attitude toward women in the society? Is feminine imagery used? If so, what is the significance of such imagery? Do the female characters speak differently than the male characters? Download 333 Kb. Share with your friends:
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