Feminist Criticism Of Ophelia

Feminist Criticism Of Ophelia
Ophelia is another one of Shakespeare's tragic victims. Throughout the years, her character has been analyzed in a multitude of ways. Arguably being
one of the main characters in Hamlet, Ophelia is known for being one of the least developed. In her literary criticism piece, Representing Ophelia:
Women, Madness, and the Responsibilities of Feminist Criticism, Elaine Showalter goes through countless interpretations of Ophelia's character. One
interpretation of Ophelia concerns her being an insignificant, minor role. Jacques Lacan believes that Ophelia is just part of Hamlet's exterior; she is
simply just one of Hamlet's accessories. She is weak and mad, but interesting in what she tells us about Hamlet. Usually, critics barely even touch
on Ophelia's role. Her character is so insignificant to some that even those who try to advocate for her do so in embarrassment. Although she may
be insignificant, this criticism has caused Ophelia to be one of Shakespeare's most recognized female characters. Ophelia's character has been highly
popularized throughout time and even though some do not support her, others do advocate for her. Some feminist critics feel that it is their
responsibility, as feminists, to approach as to how to portray Ophelia. Carol Neely believes that Ophelia's story should be told, but there is nothing to
tell. Shakespeare does not give enough information to imagine a past for Ophelia. She only appears in 5 of the 20 scenes, which are for her love story
with Hamlet. Lee Edwards has similar beliefs to Neely; it is not possible to rebuild Ophelia's biography from the text. Edwards states, "We can imagine
Hamlet's story without Ophelia, but Ophelia literally has no story without Hamlet." French psychoanalyst, Luce Irigaray, also believes that Ophelia has
nothing. Back in the Elizabethan times, "nothing" was short language for the female genitalia. Irigaray says that for in the visual system of
representation for males, nothing means having nothing to see. Gertrude also says that Ophelia's speech is nothing when she gets mad. This is when her
story becomes the story of zero. Ophelia is deprived of her thought, sexuality, and language. Zero is the mystery of feminine difference. Another
approach to
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Feminist Literary Criticism By Elaine Showalter
Introduction:
Feminist literary criticism is essentially linked to the political movement for equality of the sexes and the end to discrimination against women. In
works of art, feminist criticism wants to uncover the ideology of patriarchal society. Feminists thought that text is a mode of expression for them where
actual power relations between men and women are played out. The key political and theoretical stance of Feminism is this. The inequalities that
existing between men and women are social but not natural not pre–ordained but created by men themselves in order that they can maintain their
power over women. The family religions, education, the arts, knowledge system all are social and cultural 'structures' that enable the lasted
reinforcement of this inequality. Men with their ability to pertain power so that the structure convince the woman to be subordinated. Cultural
structures also providing a system of...show more content...
These disciplines must be studied to expose their ideological biases. In its scope, feminist criticism is political. It demonstrates the link between the
economic conditions, political hegemony; work–place conditions that influence inform and create gender oppression against women.
Elaine Showalter's works have pioneered in creating a woman–centered literary history in The New Feminist Criticism (1985), Speaking of Gender and
Gynocriticism. Look at the history, styles themselves genres and structures of writing by women, the psychodynamic of female creativity, the
trajectory of the individual or collective female career and the evolution or laws of a female literary tradition. The 1970s have been marked by a shift
of critical attention from such patriarchal texts to "gynotexts" (text by women).
In the development of women's writing Showalter identifies three major phases The Feminine phase (1840–1880), The Feminist phase (1880–1890)
and The Female phase

1.Feminism
The historical implication of "Feminism" usually means "movement for recognition of the claims of woman for rights (legal, political, familial, etc.)
equal to those possessed by men. It is said that Eve is depicted as made from "a supernumerary bone" of Adam; therefore, women have always been
considered inferior to men. However, as Barnes suggests, "the minimal criteria for feminism" should include the claim for equal status, rights and roles
with men. From the very early time, women began to strive fro their self–evaluation. The Enlightenment Movement and the American and French
revolutions contributed a lot to the new rise of feminism. Such literary women as Austin, Brontës, Eliot and Dickenson appeared that time. In
...show more content...
It consists of two parts: the Anglo–American which is believed to be more practically minded, and the French which is more theoretical.
Feminist approaches draw from at least four areas of contemporary critical thoughts: historical (including Marxist), psychoanalytic, reader–response,
and deconstructive theory. Feminist criticism therefore gains much of its validity from a variety of other critical approaches. The main concern of
feminist literary criticism is the "feminist language." Elaine Showalter argues that "The task of feminist critics is to find a new intelligence and our
experience, our reason and our suffering, our skepticism and our vision." (Showalter 141) She also proposes that the task for feminist criticism is "to
concentrate on women's access to language, on the available lexical range for which words can be selected, on the ideological and cultural
determinations of expression." (Showalter 255)
Ⅱ. A Historical Development of Feminist Criticism
1.First–wave Feminist Criticism (pre–1960s)
Modern feminist criticism is deeply indebted to the work of two writers, Virginia Woolf and Simone de Beauvoir. Their viewpoints exhibits the
strength as well as the challenge of literary feminism in the direction of two ways: (1) toward a feminist social critique, or an analysis of women
attempting to write in a patriarchal cultural; (2) toward the development of a feminist esthetic, or an explanation of how

Socialist Feminist Criticism
Socialist Feminist Criticism: You Dropped the Bomb on Me, Baby
Feminism and gender studies have been described as having the ability to "challenge literary and culture theory to confront the difficult task of
assimilating the findings of an expanding sphere of inquiry" (Contemporary Literary Criticism 567). This area of study has taken center stage during
the last fifty years, not only in our society, but also in literary criticism. Although the terrainFeminism traverses can hardly be narrowed down to one
single definition, the exploration of the genre can, at times, be the most intriguing feature of the criticism itself. While feminism has undoubtedly
changed the way women and gender roles are considered in society today, it has...show more content...
This definition of feminism situates sex and gender alongside the subjects of focus of the Marxist theory, even going as far as to intertwine the two.
While I, myself, have been trying to determine how much I agree with the points that each individual theory makes, I have found that Socialist Feminist
Criticism has had the greatest impact on my writing, reading, and understanding of the world.
It has been noted that "in literature the languages of class, race, and gender are fused." This, throughout history, and in our society specifically, is true.
Every role that is developed in literature is "not natural or self–evident butВ… is always articulated within a system or relationshipsВ… predicated
upon exclusions of gender, race, and class" (CLC 592). Every character is described within a system of a culture that is based on stereotypes, specific
gender roles, and societal issues. Cora Kaplan makes her most significant point when she suggests that "We must redefine the psyche as a structure, not
as a content, so that we can move toward a fuller understanding of how social divisions and the inscription of gender are mutually secured and given
meaning. Through that analysis we can work towards change" (Kaplan 609). An understanding of the issues that Socialist Feminist criticism tackles
can help a reader determine why the literature they are

In her article, ""Feminist Criticism" from Critical Theory Today: A User Friendly Guide (2006), author Lois Tyson endorses the idea of "bad girls"
versus "good girls" in the world today. She feels that people view feminism through only two different lenses; the positive and also the negative
perspectives of women. The norm of the "bad girls" is that they "violate patriarchal norms in some way: they're sexually forward in appearance or
behavior, or they have multiple sex partners" (Tyson 3). In other words, Tyson is acknowledging that these women are also known as "whores" or
"sluts". This is the only way these women are looked at through these lenses. Along with this, Tyson also explains that since they violate patriarchal
norms, "'bad...show more content...
Going against social norms can lead those to be slighted by even the ones they love and can leave a stinging effect on oneself. In Daisy Miller,
Daisy is portrayed as a delicate, pretty girl, but in reality she is one who is leading men on and allowing for them to chase her. Her family
members along with the people in her community look down onto her because of her actions. Daisy wants to show herself off to be able to get men
to talk to her and break social norms. Back in her day, having men come up and talk to women without a formal introduction by another person they
know, was not to be done. With Daisy's flirtatious ways, she lures in an older man named Winterbourne who catches her attention. Overtime, they
begin the form a relationship. But Winterbourne's aunt, Mrs. Costello, doesn't approve of the way she is living life in the way of her relationships
with men. Mrs. Costello eventually confronts Winterbourne and tells him that daisy is no good and that he should stay away from her because she
treats all men like this and that he isn't anyone special. The comments from Mrs. Costello didn't scare Winterbourne away, but "he has assented to the
idea that she was 'common'; but was she so, after all, or was he simply getting used to her commonness" (James 24)? This idea didn't bother him
because he really liked her. Being common means that you are promiscuous which

Feminist Criticism Of Pride And Prejudice
A Truth Universally Acknowledged.
A truth that should be universally acknowledged is that Pride and Prejudice is one of the best works of fiction in its category. Jane Austen's nineteenth
century novel has become one of the most popular works of English literature, with over twenty million copies sold and numerous film and television
adaptations (Walsh). Thenovel falls under the category of nineteenth century English literature and proves successful in numerous criteria. The success
of the novel can be attributed to its ability to transcend time and remain relevant to audiences in the twenty–first century as well as its depiction of a
feminist role model and a dynamic character in Elizabeth Bennet.
One of the initial ways that Pride and...show more content...
The friction between Elizabeth and her mother is relatable to the young person going through their teenage rebellion, while the special relationship
between Elizabeth and her father appeals to both the "daddy's girls" and those yearning for a similar relationship with their own parent. In Jane Eyre
and Tess of the d'Urbervilles, different family dynamics are also examined. Jane is orphaned at a young age and was treated cruelly by her aunt and
cousin while living with them, despite being a relative. As for Tess, she acts more responsibly than her parents who spend most of their time drinking
and can be seen as spurring Tess's downfall. While all three novels in the category look at different family dynamics,Pride and Prejudice can be seen as
better or more successful for its more positive depiction of family dynamics.
The novel is popularly known for addressing issues including, economy, patriarchy, and morality. These issues are in different ways still very relevant
to a twenty–first century audience. In terms of economy, the reader sees the Bennet family struggling financially, as a family with no sons did in that
time, as well as the affluent Darcy and Bingley families. This also leads on to the issue of patriarchy which causes the Bennet family, particularly
Elizabeth's mother, to be frantic in the search for husbands for the five Bennet sisters. The issue of morality is seen in Kitty's elopement. Austen is

Feminist Criticism By Lois Tyson
It is difficult to imagine living in a world without the patriarchal roles that are present in society and have been throughout history. In the article
"Feminist Criticism," by Lois Tyson, the idea of feminism and how society has affected feminism is the focus. These ideas are seen because men
have more of a voice in nearly everything and the oppression of women is very common; a society set up like this can be described with the term
patriarchy which is "any culture that privileges men by promoting traditional gender roles," where men are cast as "rational, strong, protective, and
decisive," and women are cast "as emotional, weak, nurturing, and submissive" (Tyson, 1). This thought that men are strong and women weak is not
uncommon in...show more content...
Daisy Miller is breaking these social norms by constantly associating with different men, drawing the attention of many others and Connie expresses
her sexuality by abandoning her friends to spend time with a boy in his car; this ultimately leads to society's metaphorical murder of these women.
Daisy is an American teen who is traveling Europe and spends lots of time with men in an 1800s European society that frowns upon these actions and
ultimately punishes her for them. Winterbourne is a man who is infatuated with Daisy due to her beauty and although he knows it isn't proper to
interact with Daisy without a chaperone present, he talks to her anyways and "was ceasing to be embarrassed, for he had begun to perceive that she
was not in the least embarrassed herself. There had not been the slightest alteration in her charming complexion; she was evidently neither offended
neither fluttered" (James, 6). The first time that Winterbourne has a conversation with Daisy he had expected it to be under the supervision of another
person. Because Daisy is not used to having to do this she isn't phased and continues the conversation with Winterbourne. This doesn't make
Winterbourne mad, but instead makes him more attracted to Daisy. As he talks to Daisy he doesn't have to think of any problems it could cause for him

How Is A Rose For Emily Feminist Criticism
"A Rose for Emily" through the Lens of Feminist Literary Criticism
A Rose for Emily is a short story written by William Faulkner. Its plot focuses on Emily Grierson, a representative of the family of previously rich
Southern aristocrats. The woman obviously had inherited mental problems, which resulted in the murder of Homer Barron, Emily's first and only
mentioned potential bridegroom. After the crime she turned into a complete anchoret and spent many decades in the house with Barron's body. There
were many factors that contributed to the tragic fate of Emily Grierson. Besides obvious class–specific and psychiatric issues, the list includes the
perception of gender roles in the society of the time. Women played second fiddle despite their...show more content...
Faulkner cannot be criticized for the creation of a bad vision of women in the case of Emily Grierson. The character was a victim of circumstances,
where the gender issue was only one of several factors. But it played its role in tragic events. From the lens of feminist theory, the major problem
of the story was the fact people believed women cannot deal with their problems (even personal) by themselves. As Faulkner focused on Miss
Emily, it is hard to claim, if this attitude was limited by female representatives of noble families. But it is possible to suggest women of all social
classes were closely watched by moral crusaders. Forcing women to follow customs, like marrying before thirty, they simultaneously disrupted their
attempts by additional requirements. It could be the social status, like in the case of Miss Emily, or any other feature. But the result was the same: the
community felt sorry for woman, who could not satisfy its requirements, despite the fact the society made it impossible or too difficult by itself. Miss
Emily's actions were extreme, but they reflected a strong pressure a woman could feel in such

Feminist Criticism Of Great Expectations
Feminist Criticism of Great Expectations The correct portrayal of women in literature is highly significant as women have been marginalized
throughout history. Although Charles Dickens wrote powerful and dominant female characters in his novel Great Expectations, Dickens' portrayal of
female strength is unsympathetic considering the period when he wrote this novel. During the Victorian Era, women never had dominance in situations
and had less rights than men. In this case, Dickens alienated the female characters by writing them with characteristics that imply a negative
connotation to the readers. Negative characteristics are still important for the development of a character, of course, but the Dicken's depiction submits
that women victimize Pip. The patriarchy and power in relationships are contrasted by the powerful female characters. Furthermore, the differences
between men and women in Great Expectations are connected to social constructs rather than biological development. In addition, each female
character have a significant impact on the male protagonist, Pip. Each female character is also shown negatively on how each of them is "redeemed"
as the plot advances. To begin with, the power in the relationships in the novel lean towards the women. This isn't inherently bad, but considering a few
aspects, such as how Dicken's depiction of the female characters and that he wrote the novel in the Victorian era, this portrayal of women is
misogynistic. For example, Mrs.

The Feminist Criticism Of ' Antigone ' Essay
Student's Name Tutor's Name Course Code Date Sophocles "Antigone" The feminist criticism approach evaluates how sexual identity impacts the
creation and perception of literary pieces of art. It was originally an offshoot of the feminist movements but has currently employed certain approaches,
such as the Masculinity approach, which is advocated by Robert Bly. Feminist criticism takes a primary role in articulating the patriarchal perceptions
that have dominated the Western thought. The perceptions have consciously or unconsciously resulted in literature which is full of raw
male–advocated assumptions. The current analysis aims at providing a feminist criticism of Sophocles "Antigone", with an objective to achieve an
informed position. One of the major conflicts in the "Antigone" is the struggle between the males and the females. It is explicit that the two genders are
involved in deliberate efforts for dominance. In addition, it is evident that the perception that men were meant to dominate the women is paramount.
For example, Ismene tells Antigone that even from birth the females "were not born to contend with men" (75), which depicts the women 's
subordinate positions in their interactions with the men. Besides, the phrase describes women obedience and their passive nature in the confrontation
of the day–to–day activities in the society. The women are displayed as beings whose role is to observe and to have little control over the unfolding
events at a given time. Within

Feminist Criticism of The Great Gatsby The pervasive male bias in American literature leads the reader to equate the experience of being American
with the experience of being male. In F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, the background for the experience of disillusionment and betrayal
revealed in the novel is the discovery of America. Daisy's failure of Gatsby is symbolic of the failure of America to live up to the expectations in the
imagination of the men who "discovered" it. America is female; to be American is male; and the quintessential American experience is betrayal by
woman. Fetterley believes that power is the issue in the politics of literature. Powerlessness characterizes woman's experience of reading not only
because...show more content...
It is she for whom men compete, and possessing her is the clearest sign that one has made it into that magical world. Gatsby's desire for Daisy is
enhanced by the fact that she is the object of the desires of many other men. Daisy is the most expensive item on the market as Tom points out
when he gives her a string of pearls valued at $350,000 on the night before they are married. She is that which money exists to buy. Having her
makes Tom Buchanan's house in East Egg finished and "right"; not having her makes Gatsby's mansion in West Egg incomplete and "wrong."
Daisy is viewed as a possession rather than a person. There are no emotional relations between Gatsby and Daisy to give an account of; there is
only an emotional relation between Gatsby and his "unutterable visions," of which she is the unwitting symbol. Not only are women treated as
inanimate objects in The Great Gatsby, they are also shown as childlike and without morality, whereas it is actually the men who have these
characteristics. One can see this in the way that Nick Carraway treats Daisy and Jordan. Nick conceals the fact that Daisy was the driver of the car
that killed Myrtle Wilson, supposedly because of his loyalty to Gatsby. But his deceit derives not simply from his loyalty to the dead Gatsby; it is
equally the product of his assumption that women, rich women in particular, are incapable of moral responsibility. He even admits to having a different
standard of honesty for women than he has for

Feminist Criticism and Shakespeare's Work Essay
Shakespeare's works had few females because women were not allowed to act in London in the late 1500s and early 1600s. Disregarding the standards
imposed on women of his time, Shakespeare created many female characters that were strong–willed, intelligent, and daring. Shakespeare resided in a
world dominated by men, in which women were essentially the means of exchange in power relationships among those men. Feminist criticism is
interested in marriage and, gender relations, and family structures (Shakespeare, William).
One issue that concerns feminist critics is how limited Shakespeare's portraits of women are. During Shakespeare's time period, there were no female
actors and the female roles were played by males. In the meantime,...show more content...
Feminist critics have also expanded and enriched the study of Shakespeare. Shakespeare's women and men neither reflect his time or defy his time,
whether they reflect the society's or the author's attitude, but rather how they define the roles of modern adults. " As modern society changes, both
male and female audiences are learning to respond more critically and creatively to the richness of Shakespeare's portrayal of men and women in a
wide range of conditions and situations" (Andrews 1: 123).
Shakespeare had the talent to be able to move audiences to either admire, love, or hate his complex stage woman. Shakespeare has fueled centuries of
curiosity and speculation about his female character, Lady Macbeth. The masterful Lady Macbeth is the murderous wife turned queen in Shakespeare's
tragedy Macbeth. Lady Macbeth is unable to conquer Scotland's throne herself, so she must have her husband be her second hand. Lady Macbeth
comes up with a plan to kill King Duncan, a beloved house guest that they welcomed into their castle. After becoming the Queen of Scotland, she
suffers from a guilty conscience and then dies from suicide. (Lady Macbeth and Feminist). Lady Macbeth's rejection of her feminine traits while trying
to adopt masculine qualities is the root of all the unnatural and evil events in the play, leading to the

Feminist Criticism of Shakespeare's Hamlet Essay
Many literary critics have presented theories on the meaning of William Shakespeare's Hamlet, ranging from claims of Oedipal Complexes to
insinuations of homosexuality. Though most such interpretations can be considered true at some level, there seems to be some basic theme – some
driving force – that underlies all other interpretations.
While most criticisms focus on individual characters, a more insightful criticism of the true nature of Hamlet can be drawn simply by analyzing the key
relationships in play. These relationships– especially those dealing with women or issues of femininity – allow a level of interpretation that examines
not merely the events of the play, but the true underlying significance of gender both to...show more content...
Her feelings of confusion and unsure loyalty reflect some of Hamlet's deep–seated weaknesses, while her unnatural sexuality and traitorousness
ultimately reflect the darker qualities of Claudius. Gertrude – though distinctly female and independent in her worldview – is in many respects tainted
or misguided by the flaws in both her lover and her son.
Moreover, as mother to Hamlet, she acts largely as a reflection of the evils within Claudius. Much of the antagonism Hamlet directs towards her is,
thus, aimed clearly at the elements of her that mirror Claudius: her lustfulness and corruption. In return, however, Gertrude offers Hamlet a level of
motherly love and understanding. When she says "Let not thy mother lose her prayers, Hamlet. / I pray thee, stay with us, go not to Wittenberg," she
quite clearly is expressing simple love and a desire to remain close to Hamlet. While Claudius is purely destructive towards Hamlet, Gertrude's ability
to filter her lustfulness and corruption through her womanhood allows her to act, at least on some level, as a positive force on Hamlet.
The qualities Gertrude draws from Hamlet, however, lead her more towards destruction than love in her marriage. Hamlet's characteristics which she
adopts – a timidity and weakness – allow her to be not merely corrupted by Claudius, but clearly also controlled. While she undoubtedly shared in a
level of mutual love with Hamlet's father

The Little Mermaid Feminist Criticism
Hans Christian Andersen's story, "The Little Mermaid" talks about a girl who saves a young man from drowning and falls in love with him, and she
later learns that the young man she saved was a prince. In this world women believe that they are not capable of doing nothing or being nothing
without a man in their lives. Disney's film, "The Little Mermaid", by Ron Clements and John Musker, present a version that makes an appearance for
children, so it is harder to catch on where a woman needs a man in her life whether it is her father or a husband. In the Disney film the director makes
the mermaid (Ariel) look so vulnerable and weak for a young woman. Women now these days say that they were made to believe that they have to
depend on a man because they will not make it without them. In the story the author made it seem like all women cannot do want they want or that
they are limited to do and say certain things because they are women. Women grow up to believe and to think that they need a man because that is
how many men and society made women and young girls look like. So, part of this faulting it the men because they beliefs are that women cannot do
what they do or that women and young girls belong at home to behave right and look pretty for the men. Andersen is a good example of Feminist and
Gender criticism because women should believe that they can make it without having to rely on a man. Women should start believing that they are
as equal as a man whether it's at a job, relationship, at home, and in society because we are not meant to be looked at as a fragile and weak woman,
we are supposed to show everyone that women should be equal to men on all types of levels. Andersen examines representation of gender,
dependence, and cultural stability to explore notions of equality in gender. Andersen examines representation of gender because both men and women
need to be looked upon as equals with one another. For example, there are many times when a women needs help and most men think that she is a
"damsel in distress", because a woman that needs saving looks fragile and needs a "man" to save her. This also shows that usually the women are the
ones being saved, so that the men can be the ones doing

Feminism In The Chaser
In the story of The Chaser by John Collier you might be able to analyze the story with a feminist analysis, which mean with the eyes of a female.
Using my eyes and knowledge of feminist, women want to be created equally no more, no less, but sometimes men don't understand this knowledge of
the feminist culture. Although many may like the story of The Chaser, many may not like it due to their perspective on their initial perspective. The
Chaser is basically about a man trying to find something to make a women fall in love with him, now if you can't see that making a women fall in love
with a man is wrong then stop reading now, but if you agree with this perspective carry on. First, Most men don't try to woo a girl anymore they try
to find the easiest ways to get into a girl pants, and make them obsessed with the man so that he can have someone to cook, clean, and etc, in the story
of The Chaser Mr. Austen tries to do just that. In the beginning of the story he isn't really trying to look for something specific, the old man in the story
offers him poison for whatever reason but Alan or Mr. Austen doesn'twant that he says " I want nothing of that sort"(The Chaser) . The old man tells
him how much the potion would cost for poison, but Alan says " I hope all your mixtures are not as expensive"(The Chaser), as the old man goes on
talking about how the "love potion" isn't as expensive he states "Young people whoneed a love potion very seldom have five thousand dollars.

Jane Eyre Feminist Criticism
Charlotte BrontГ«'s Jane Eyre Through the Feminist Literary Criticism Lens The 1847 novel Jane Eyre follows the main character throughout her
eventful life in Victorian England, allowing readers to watch the young, unruly orphan flourish into a successful, content woman. On the simplest level,
the work is a classic gothic tale showcasing fear, passion, and love. While it is evident that the story utilizes emotion, looking deeper into the text is
essential to understanding the underlying motive behind BrontГ«'s decision to include these emotional aspects in the first place. Looking through the
feminist lens of literary criticism, Jane Eyre not only highlights the oppression of women during the time, but specifically focuses on the part that
emotion plays in female mistreatment. Shannon O'Byrne, author of "Law and Emotion in BrontГ«'s Jane Eyre", claims that the work exposes the
association of women with hysteria during the Victorian era, and is correct in her analysis of the feminist message within the novel as shown through the
main female character's, Jane and Bertha's, passionate acts and their outcomes. The belief that women are mentally inferior to men is not a new
concept. Since ancient times, "reason, masculinity, truth and intellect" has been placed above "sense, femininity, error and emotion", causing women
to rarely be taken seriously (O'Byrne 31). Despite the hundreds of years and advancements between then and the mid–nineteenth century, this concept
was still widely accepted. During the Enlightenment movement, which women were largely excluded from because of their supposed "lack of reason",
nerve doctors claimed that women were extremely susceptible to hysteria because of their innate emotional instability (O'Byrne 34). This idea spread
widely by "scientifically" justifying the gender inequality during the time. With the female's supposed inherent connection to madness and hysteria
being a popular idea in the Victorian years, it is not surprising that it found its way into the era's literature. As O'Byrne stated in her work, the novel
directly reflects what emotion meant to BrontГ«'s society: a "loss of reason" (O'Byrne 25). The emergence of the scientific method during this time
meant Victorians

Feminist Criticism In A Rose For Emily
Southern Gothic literature because of the use of the word "nigger". This word is traced back to the Latin word "niger" which means black. It later
was turned into "negro" in the English language which means black person. "by the early 1800s, it was firmly established as a derogative name"
(Middleton and Pilgrim) so the word was used more commonly back then than it is used now. The reader can connect the history of the word "nigger"
along with the background of women's economic class then to understand Miss Emily's need for a man.
Throughout the story, the reader is shown that to live during the 1800s meant having a man by their side. In some cases, Miss Emily shows that she
wants this but then she does something surprising. "The negro delivery boy brought her theThe Feminist literary criticism is the economic, political,
social, and psychological oppression of women. Southern Gothic is a type of literature that displays grotesque, violence, decay, irony, and social issues
portrayed in the South after their defeat in the Civil War. This criticism and this genre both have similar features that can connect them together. The
short story "A Rose for Emily" is an example of the Southern Gothic genre and the Feminist criticism can be applied in this story in many different
ways. By applying the Feminist criticism to this story and using the background knowledge of Southern Gothic literature, the reader can better
understand the meaning of the story and the development of the

Example Of Feminist Literary Criticism
Feminism Literary Criticism
Feminist Literary Criticism, also known as Feminist Criticism, was developed from the social movement feminism. They seeks to analyze and
describe the ways in which literature portrays the narrative of male domination by exploring the economic, social, political, and psychological forces
embedded within literature. This way of thinking and criticizing works can be said to have changed the way literary texts are viewed and studied, as
well as changing the canon of what is taught This essay will discuss the main methods and types of feminist literary criticism, where this school of
criticism originated from, and how it has changed and developed over time.
Feminism, feminist theory, and feminist politics is the viewpoint which this group of literary critics analyze literature. While reading through literature,
Feminist Literary Critics examine how literature represents the male figures differently from the women figures and how language institutions have
reflected patriarchy interest. In Linda Napikoski article Feminist Literary Criticism, she discusses that, "A feminist literary critic resists traditional
assumptions while reading a text. In addition to challenging assumptions which were thought to be universal, feminist literary criticism actively
supports including women's knowledge in literature and valuing women's experiences. Feminist literary criticism assumes that literature both reflects
and shapes stereotypes and other cultural

Marxist Criticism And Feminist Criticism
When one reads literature, can it make a difference in his views? Can it change the way she thinks about various topics? Can it draw attention to
situations going in today's society? Before one answers this question, she should define and research what exactly is literature. According to a
dictionary, "Literature is writings in which expression and form, in connection with ideas of permanent and universal interest, are characteristic or
essential features, as poetry, novels, history, biography, and essays" ("Literature"). Those writings can tell individuals what is going on in the world
today, but does that mean that people will change what is going on? Literature can also tell individuals ways in which they can change or adapt to the
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Is really possible that literature could really do as much as these two or any other critics say? After research and various discussions, literature does
have the power and opportunity to change individuals' views, but that does not necessarily mean that it will actually make them change their views.
There are several general examples that one could look at in order to answer this question. Those examples are as followed: kneeling on the knee
for the National Anthem, Beyonce's feminist music, social media posts, and sexism with the presidential election. Before digging deeper into those
examples, one should make an important note that writers are equivalent to entertainers. Writers are a bit more formal, but both play an important
role in the views of society. First, look at the kneeling on the knee for the National Anthem. The National Football League (NFL) has been taking
part in the action as a way of making a peaceful protest against social injustice. Anybody who watches NFL has seen this and it has caught their
attention, most likely, but has it changed their views on social injustice? Has it made them take a stand to the situation or are they just aware of what
is going on? What about Beyonce's recent feminist music? Beyonce placed a lot of her feminist views on her 2013 album known as Beyonce. In her
song "Pretty Hurts," she speaks about how women obsessing their looks could be destructive. In "Blow," she

Feminist Criticism Of Ophelia

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