Feminist Literary Criticism essays

24 samples in this category

Essay examples
Essay topics
The transition of how women are perceived from the 20th century to then, post-modern times is differential and quite arguably, dramatic. In both 'A Streetcar Named Desire' and 'Catcher In The Rye' there is a significant pattern of subversion against stereotypes, specifically women. More specifically, this is shown through the contrast of both female protagonists in 'A Streetcar Named Desire', (Blanche and Stella Dubois), where Blanche depicts herself as a 'Southern Belle' whereas her sister, Blanche is shown as a...
4 Pages 1614 Words
Feminist criticism is concerned with the manner in which women's financial, political, social and psychological oppression is strengthened or undermined by literature (and other cultural productions). This theory school examines how elements of our culture are fundamentally patriarchal (male dominated) and aims at exposing misogyny (dislike/hatred of women) in writing about females, which can take explicit and implicit forms. Feminist criticism is at its heart concerned with stereotypical gender depictions. Thus, although there are many ideas that can be regarded...
1 Page 523 Words
Maya Angelou is an African-American poet and actress. She is a world-famous author. She had a tough life. She was raped at a young age and faced racism in her childhood. These events affect her life later, and it is shown in her work. In her poem 'Woman Work' Maya Angelou talks about how the society forced women into gender roles. For many years women and men had their fixed role in the society, and these were made by the...
2 Pages 943 Words
Feminist literary criticism is described as the interpretation of composing literature from a female’s angle. Feminist writers often refuse the norms of typical literature, and they rebel against the patriarchal point of view. Feminist writers approach their literature in an empowering way to represent females. It criticizes and analyses the restraints and oppression of women throughout the years, and it portrays how women are viewed in literature. Feminist writers found themselves forbidden from composing literature in the era of the...
3 Pages 1452 Words
Alice Walker is one of the most popular figures in those days. Her writings mainly concentrate on their lands and the people, especially women. Her writings give energy and awareness of those days. In the 1970s, women have a lot of suppression in their society. Male dominations have an important role. Women do not express their ideas. But her novels and essays give an awareness of their society. Her works are considered as a classical womanist text. It is full...
8 Pages 3524 Words
For my critique, I will be looking at The Hunger Games (2012) through a Feminist Lens followed by a Marxist Lens. The Hunger Games is an intense action movie that was directed by Gary Ross and was written by Suzanne Collins and Billy Ray. The movie’s plot starts off where the nation of Panem is divided into 12 different districts that are ruled over by the Capitol. Every year, two young male and female representatives must compete in a televised...
2 Pages 1092 Words
Introduction In Judy Brady's thought-provoking essay, "I Want a Wife," she articulates the various roles and expectations placed on women in society. While her essay raises important points about gender inequality and the traditional role of wives, it is crucial to broaden the discussion and emphasize the need for a partner, rather than just a wife. In this persuasive essay, I argue that the ideal relationship is based on equality, mutual support, and shared responsibilities, transcending traditional gender roles. Equality...
1 Page 531 Words
Introduction "Across a Hundred Mountains" is a captivating novel by Reyna Grande that explores themes of migration, identity, and the pursuit of a better life. Published in 2006, the book follows the intertwining stories of two women, Juana and Adelina, as they embark on separate journeys from Mexico to the United States. This literary criticism essay will analyze key elements of "Across a Hundred Mountains," including its narrative structure, character development, and thematic exploration, to understand the profound impact and...
1 Page 654 Words
Learned women make men nervous. This is prevalent in reality, and is thus mirrored in literature. The journey of women in the literary world has long been bruised by stereotypical portrayals, often prompted by the laughable lack of women authors in comparison to the predominance of men. The misguiding 'male view' of females has dug its claws deep into the literary canon, and subsequently, girls have strived to mold themselves into a 'suitable' caricature of womanhood. Confronted with such tropes,...
6 Pages 2640 Words
Throughout history, women have fought for equality in areas such as politics, religion, careers... Specifically, women fight to be treated with respect and equality in criminal justice and law enforcement careers. The poem ‘I'm ‘Wife’ - I've Finished That’ by Emily Dickinson is analyzed using feminist criticism. Feminist criticism is a type of literary criticism which may study and encourage for the women right. The poem is about women’s roles and how society looks at them in reality. “I'm 'wife'—I've...
3 Pages 1347 Words
Feminist critics focus on the struggles that women face in society and ways these are questioned in literature. ‘The Beginning Theory’ by P. Barry, states: “To put what I have just sketched in somewhat different terms: this type of feminist criticism leads to a thorough examination of gender roles. Gender has to do not with how females (and males) really are, but with the way that a given culture or subculture sees them, how they are culturally constructed”. In other...
4 Pages 1743 Words
It was not at the moment ‘The Yellow Wallpaper’ was written when it found an audience who could understand it. When Charlotte Perkins Gilman wrote this piece of literature work in 1892, she had no idea that her short story would become a classic feminist literature. It was some decades ago when Gilman’s piece of work was considered an early expression of feminist criticism because of its subtle denounce against the repression and limited freedom women used to have during...
1 Page 502 Words
Whileaway, the perfect all-young lady in ‘When It Changed’ supports girls with no sexual orientation limits. In their impeccable society, masculine and feminine work is performed evenly among the ladies, and additionally, Jonna Russ uses this point to show us more about the feminist criticism of ‘When It Changed’. Janet, narrated in 'When It Changed', can be classified as the 'feminine' female in her lesbian marriage with Katy, however she also has 'masculine' characteristics. She worries about her companion, but...
2 Pages 772 Words
During the eighteenth century, the English social life in early eighteenth century such as marriage and social class has been described clearly. The society used marriage as a way to find both financial and romantic fulfillment. Men have great advantages than women in the society because they are more entitled to inherit the land and money that is left off to them from their family and from their wife’s family. Specifically, women get less material resources, social status, and power....
3 Pages 2060 Words
Introduction "The Chaser" by John Collier is a thought-provoking short story that explores the complexities of relationships and the power dynamics between men and women. From a feminist perspective, the story offers an opportunity to critically examine the portrayal of gender roles and the societal expectations placed on women. By analyzing the characters, their actions, and the narrative structure, this essay will delve into the feminist themes and implications in "The Chaser." The Objectification of Women In "The Chaser," the...
1 Page 507 Words
There are always parallels when you compare two things, no matter how hard you try to differentiate them, since all things come from one place and spread. This happens to be the case with ‘The Story of an Hour’ by Kate Chopin and ‘The Yellow Wallpaper’ by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. Both of these authors come from the same period and geographical location, which means that their writings have some similarities due to their location and literary period. This can be...
3 Pages 1270 Words
'A Doll's House' was distributed in 1879; the production was quickly perceived as a women's activist torch. This play had been hailed as a show that represented feminism in academic readings until the reports of new critics. The new critics of the play had an opinion equivalent to those before them which was, the play was not so much worried about woman’s liberation, but instead represents the new beginnings of a person. This is broadcasted throughout Sandra Saari's article 'Female...
3 Pages 1532 Words
Black feminist literature stresses on the double-victimization of black women. The women from the oppressed society encounter absolute dominance and cruelty within the territory of the whites, who suppress them in the name of race; also they undergo the same kind of treatment by their own men in various unsolicited ways. The prolonging silences of women congregate at once to voice out their true potential in the form of writing. It is not untrue that the black women needed to...
4 Pages 1697 Words
Since it was the end of the war, America in the 1920s was a huge materialistic culture, and the roaring Twenties erupted, with wealth and status as major core values. The relationships in 'The Great Gatsby' depict this appearance of wealth as a core value; Jay Gatsby spends the entire novel attempting to be of a higher social class than he was raised in. He tries desperately to persuade others of his social standing. Similar to this, the relationship between...
6 Pages 2683 Words
Charlie Gordon was a very kind and caring man. He was an example of how all humans should live their lives. And no not as a retard. As a happy and motivated being. Charlie started his life having a very low IQ. He always seemed to see himself as a child because he hadn’t matured mentally like someone with no disability. Because of his low IQ, he was always looked down upon by the people he considered his friends. Of...
1 Page 533 Words
“That was the end of her childhood”: Journey for Love in Their Eyes Were Watching God In the foreword of Zora Hurston’s novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God, Edwidge Danticat, the author of the short story Krik? Krak!, notes the complex trials that Janie Crawford, the protagonist of Their Eyes Were Watching God, “as she attempts to survive her grandmother’s restricted vision of a black woman’s life and realize her self-conceived liberation”(Hurston 15). Janie’s liberties were restricted by her grandmother...
2 Pages 1003 Words
“What is more immoral than war?” (Sade). The Vietnam War was a bloody and gruesome war that affected many people in the United States and Vietnam. The war lasted 21 years, from 1954 to 1975. The war started as fear grew that communism would spread from Vietnam to nearby countries. The Vietnam War severely impacted many soldiers and their lives in negative ways. Many of the soldiers came home with severe physical deformities, and many also came home with mental...
3 Pages 1404 Words
In the story “The Lottery” written by Shirley Jackson, uses the typical feminist stereotype in her story. With using a character named Tessi and having Bill Hutcheson as the male lead. This is a common thing in Jackson's books where the female character has more of the spotlight than other characters in the story. It is said by Carpenter that Jackson stories female character is, “a social misfit, not beautiful enough, charming enough, or articulate enough to get along well...
2 Pages 923 Words
Janie Crawford is a captivating character in African-American literature and is studied as a symbol of strength, weakness, liberty, and restraint. Janie, the main character of Their Eyes Were Watching God, by Zora Hurston, is a young African-American woman, desirous for more control of her life during a time when women had little to no say. Some literary critics deem Janie a hero of feminism because of this, but a look at the relationships that she has—with men specifically—proves that...
3 Pages 1184 Words
price Check the price of your paper
Topic
Number of pages
Email Invalid email

By continuing, you agree to our Terms of Use & Privacy Policy.

Join our 150k of happy users

  • Get original paper written according to your instructions
  • Save time for what matters most
Place an order

Fair Use Policy

EduBirdie considers academic integrity to be the essential part of the learning process and does not support any violation of the academic standards. Should you have any questions regarding our Fair Use Policy or become aware of any violations, please do not hesitate to contact us via support@edubirdie.com.

Check it out!