Feminist Perspective Essay Example
Composition II/Literature
Week 2: The Feminist Perspective
This presentation will introduce you to the feminist critical perspective through a close examination of the short story “Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid.
The Feminist Critical Perspective
“Feminist criticism questions the ways in which women have been defined through a literary tradition dominated by male authors and critics…many feminists argue that the forms and conventions of traditional literature allow only a certain type of female character to be portrayed, and that women as well as men are conditioned to respond in certain ways to those characters” (Pike & Acosta, 2010, A-7). Basically, readers who use the feminist critical perspective look at the ways women and men are portrayed in literature, the roles they play, as well as the gender of the author and how that might influence the portrayal of gender in the work. Feminists are seeking equality for people of all genders, sexes, sexual orientations, etc., so they tend to analyze from the feminist critical perspective with ideas of equality in mind. Most importantly, readers who use the feminist critical perspective question what the work of literature says about the role, position, and influence of women (DiYanni, 2007, p. 2174).
Questions to ask when reading:
• What roles are women playing? With what consequences? • Who has the power? • How does the representation of women (and men) reflect the place and time in which the work was written? • What gender perspective does the author write from, and how does his or her background influence the portrayal of gender in the work?
JAMAICA KINCAID:
“Born in Saint John’s on the island of Antigua, Elaine Cynthia Potter Richardson came to New York City to work as an au pair. She studied at the New School and at Franconia College, changing her name to Jamaica Kincaid at the request of her parents when she began writing. Often autobiographical, Kincaid’s novels explore her relationship with her mother,
Week 2: The Feminist Perspective
This presentation will introduce you to the feminist critical perspective through a close examination of the short story “Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid.
The Feminist Critical Perspective
“Feminist criticism questions the ways in which women have been defined through a literary tradition dominated by male authors and critics…many feminists argue that the forms and conventions of traditional literature allow only a certain type of female character to be portrayed, and that women as well as men are conditioned to respond in certain ways to those characters” (Pike & Acosta, 2010, A-7). Basically, readers who use the feminist critical perspective look at the ways women and men are portrayed in literature, the roles they play, as well as the gender of the author and how that might influence the portrayal of gender in the work. Feminists are seeking equality for people of all genders, sexes, sexual orientations, etc., so they tend to analyze from the feminist critical perspective with ideas of equality in mind. Most importantly, readers who use the feminist critical perspective question what the work of literature says about the role, position, and influence of women (DiYanni, 2007, p. 2174).
Questions to ask when reading:
• What roles are women playing? With what consequences? • Who has the power? • How does the representation of women (and men) reflect the place and time in which the work was written? • What gender perspective does the author write from, and how does his or her background influence the portrayal of gender in the work?
JAMAICA KINCAID:
“Born in Saint John’s on the island of Antigua, Elaine Cynthia Potter Richardson came to New York City to work as an au pair. She studied at the New School and at Franconia College, changing her name to Jamaica Kincaid at the request of her parents when she began writing. Often autobiographical, Kincaid’s novels explore her relationship with her mother,