Assignment: Paper no. 204

 Contemporary Western Theories and Film Studies 

Name:- Payal Bambhaniya

Batch:- M.A. Sem. 3 (2022-2024)

Roll no. :- 14

Enrollment no.:- 4069206420220002

Paper no.:- 204

Paper Name:-  Contemporary Western Theories and Film Studies 

Topic:- Feminism/Feminist Criticism 

Email ID:- payalbambhaniya92@gmail.com

Submitted to:- SMT S. B. Gardi Department of English, MKBU.

Introduction:-

Feminism is about achieving equality and fairness in relation to gender, encompassing aspects like gender identity, expression, and sexuality. Initially addressing inequality between the sexes, it has evolved to scrutinise the social and performative aspects of gender and sexuality. Modern feminist theory explores inequalities across various intersections like ability, class, gender, race, sex, and sexuality. Feminists work to bring about change in areas where these intersections result in power imbalances. Anytime stereotyping, objectification, infringements of human rights, or intersectional oppression occurs, it's a feminist issue. 

What does Feminism Mean?

"It is an advocacy of the Political , economic and social equality of the sexes expressed especially through organised activity on behalf of women's rights and interests."

In simple terms, feminism advocates for equal rights and opportunities for all genders.

Being a feminist is about believing in equal rights for all genders. It involves respecting diverse women’s experiences, identities, knowledge, and strengths, and striving to empower all women to realise their full rights. Feminism is focused on levelling the playing field between genders, ensuring that diverse women and girls have the same life opportunities as boys and men. Importantly, it's not about hating men, women being superior to men, or rejecting femininity. Instead, it's a movement advocating for equality for everyone.

Feminist literary criticism uses the principles and ideology of feminism to analyze and critique the language of literature. It aims to explore how literature portrays the narrative of male domination by delving into the economic, social, political, and psychological forces embedded within literary works. This approach has changed the way literary texts are viewed and studied, as it seeks to examine old texts within the literary canon through a new lens. Feminist literary criticism strives to bring attention to gender-based issues and challenge traditional perspectives in literature.

Four Waves of Feminism :-

Feminism is a term that encompasses the historical struggles of women for greater equality in politics, economics, and culture. The feminist movement, spanning from the 19th century to the present day, has been divided into four stages or "waves" by historians since the 1960s. Each wave represents a distinct phase in which women directed their activism towards specific freedoms, responding to societal expectations prevalent during that time. These waves highlight the evolving nature of feminist goals and challenges across different periods in history.

1. The first wave of feminism :- 

The first wave of feminism, extending from 1848 to 1920, is often associated with the suffragettes who passionately advocated for women's right to vote. The primary objective of this wave was to expand opportunities for women, specifically focusing on suffrage. It's important to note that the movement primarily concentrated on the rights of white women, and it took several more decades for Black women and other women of color to secure similar freedoms.

 2. The Second wave of feminism :- 

The second wave of feminism, spanning from 1963 to the 1980s, marked a crucial period when women advocated for a reevaluation of prescribed gender roles. During this time, many women rejected societal expectations regarding their appearance and behaviour, intentionally choosing not to conform to sexually provocative clothing or makeup. Second-wave feminism also brought attention to issues such as domestic violence and marital rape, leading to the creation of rape crisis centers and women's shelters. Additionally, it played a role in influencing changes in custody and divorce laws.

3. The Third wave of feminism :- 

The third wave of feminism, which emerged in the 1990s, was characterised by political activism aimed at expanding civil rights and social equality for women. During this period, a new branch of feminism developed in connection with postcolonialism and postmodernism. Women of this era, having achieved some progress in the political sphere, focused on fighting against entrenched, institutionalised sexism. This included addressing issues such as workplace harassment, pay disparities, and social exclusion through protests and marches.

Third wave feminism exhibited a more inclusive approach, considering factors like race, class, and gender. This perspective, termed "intersectional feminism" by gender theorist Judith Butler, emphasised the interconnected nature of various forms of oppression.

4. The Fourth Wave of Feminism:-

The fourth wave of feminism is often misconstrued as a mere extension of the third wave, as women persist in addressing many of the same issues related to entrenched sexism. This wave of feminism places a particular emphasis on gender issues surrounding safety, pay, and dignity in the workplace. Women today continue to advocate for fair and equal treatment across various sectors of society, with a strong focus on inclusivity. This is particularly relevant at a time when gender politics are at the forefront, and gynocriticism, a form of criticism that develops a female framework for analysing works by women, plays a significant role. Gynocritics aim to identify feminine subject matter, uncover a female literary tradition, and delineate a distinctive feminine mode of experience.

Elaine Showalter named Gynocriticism - that is, a criticism which Concerns itself with developing a specifically female framework for dealing with works written by women, in all aspects of their production, motivation, analysis, and interpretation, and in all literary forms, including journals and letters.

What Feminist Critics do? 

•  Rethink the canon, aiming at the rediscovery of texts written by women. 
•  Revalue women's experience. 
•  Examine representations of women in literature by men and women. 
•  Challenge representations of women as 'Other', as 'lack', as part of 'nature'. 
•  Examine power relations which are obtained in texts and in life, with a view to breaking them down, seeing reading as a political act, and showing the extent of patriarchy. 
•  Recognise the role of language in making what is social and constructed seem transparent and 'natural'. 
•  Raise the question of whether men and women are 'essentially' different because of biology, or are socially constructed as different. 
•  Explore the question of whether there is a female language, an feminine, and whether this is also available to men. 
•  'Re-read' psychoanalysis to further explore the issue of female and male identity. 

 Question the popular notion of the death of the author, asking whether there are only 'subject positions ... constructed in discourse', or whether, on the contrary, the experience is central. Make clear the ideological base of supposedly 'neutral' or 'mainstream' literary interpretations. 

Feminism in literary texts :- 

1. Pride and Prejudice ( Novel) by Jane Austen :- 

In "Pride and Prejudice," Jane Austen subtly introduces feminist themes that question the societal norms prevailing during the 19th century. The protagonist, Elizabeth Bennet, emerges as a strong and independent woman, challenging the traditional role assigned to women of her time.

Austen critiques the societal expectation for women to prioritise financial stability in marriage, vividly illustrated through Mrs. Bennet's relentless pursuit of suitable husbands for her daughters. Elizabeth's refusal to conform to these societal pressures and her insistence on marrying for love underscore feminist elements in the narrative.

The novel also delves into the constraints imposed on women's education and autonomy. Elizabeth's intelligence and cleverness challenge the prevailing belief in women's intellectual inferiority. The character of Charlotte Lucas, who opts for financial security over love, serves as a commentary on the limited choices available to women during that era.

In essence, "Pride and Prejudice" presents a nuanced exploration of gender roles and societal expectations, providing a foundation for feminist analysis and discussion.

2. The Handmaid's Tale (Novel) by Margaret Atwood :- 

"The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood delves into feminist themes within a dystopian narrative. The novel unfolds in Gilead, a society where women are oppressed and confined to designated roles, exemplified by the protagonist, Offred, who serves as a Handmaid for reproductive purposes. Atwood scrutinises patriarchal structures, the control exerted over women's bodies, and the repercussions of fundamentalism. The narrative prompts contemplation on power dynamics, autonomy, and the influence of societal norms on women's experiences, presenting a profound commentary on feminism and its contemporary significance.

When delving into feminism, you can watch the thought-provoking talk by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie titled "We Should All Be Feminists." This engaging video provides valuable insights into the principles of feminism.

Feminist Criticism:-

The "women's movement" of the 1960s marked a resurgence rather than the inception of feminism. It revitalised an enduring tradition of thought and action that already had its seminal works diagnosing women's inequality in society and, in some instances, suggesting remedies. Several influential books played a significant role in shaping the feminist movement during this period. Some of these pivotal works include:

Margaret Fuller’s Woman in the Nineteenth Century (1845) :- 

"Woman in the Nineteenth Century" is a book written by Margaret Fuller, an American journalist, editor, and women's rights advocate. Initially published in July 1843 in The Dial magazine, it was later expanded and republished as a book in 1845. Fuller's work is considered a significant early feminist text that addresses issues of gender equality and the role of women in society during the 19th century. The book reflects Fuller's progressive views and advocacy for women's rights.

Simone de Beauvoir’s The Second Sex (1949) :-

"The Second Sex" is a 1949 book written by the French existentialist philosopher Simone de Beauvoir. In this influential work, de Beauvoir discusses the treatment of women in contemporary society and throughout history. The book is divided into two volumes: "Facts and Myths" and "Lived Experience."

De Beauvoir's critique extends to the cultural identification of women as the negative object or "Other" in contrast to man, who is considered the dominating "Subject" representing humanity. The book delves into the portrayal of women in the collective myths perpetuated by many male writers. "The Second Sex" is widely recognized as a groundbreaking and seminal work in feminist philosophy, serving as a foundational inspiration for the second-wave feminism movement.

Simone de Beauvoir's quote, "One is not born, but rather becomes a woman," underscores her belief that being a woman is not an inherent condition but a result of societal treatment from birth. De Beauvoir emphasizes that women should actively shape their lives and reject the notion that there is an inherent nature dictating how men and women should be. This perspective challenges traditional gender roles and encourages women to assert agency in defining their identities.

 A Room of One’s Own ( 1929) :- 

Virginia Woolf played a crucial role as a precursor in feminist criticism. In addition to her fiction, she authored "A Room of One’s Own" (1929) and numerous essays addressing women authors and the cultural, economic, and educational constraints within what she termed a "patriarchal" society dominated by men. Woolf's writings explored the challenges that hindered or prevented women from realising their full productive and creative potentials. Her work laid the foundation for feminist literary criticism, highlighting the need for societal changes to empower women in various aspects of life.

Modern feminist criticism in America took a significant turn with Mary Ellmann's insightful work, "Thinking about Women" (1968). Ellmann skillfully examined the derogatory stereotypes of women present in literature written by men. Her witty discussion highlighted the need to question and challenge these portrayals. Following this, Kate Millett's influential "Sexual Politics" (1969) further intensified the feminist discourse. Millett delved into the power dynamics in society, interpreting various social arrangements and institutions as tools that perpetuate male dominance and female subordination. Her critique extended to Freud's psychoanalytic theory and the works of authors like D. H. Lawrence, Henry Miller, Norman Mailer, and Jean Genet, exposing their reinforcement of aggressive male identities and the degradation of women in their fictional narratives.

The period following 1969 witnessed an unprecedented surge in feminist writings, marking a movement that, as noted by Elaine Showalter, exhibited the urgency and excitement reminiscent of a religious awakening. 

Conclusion:- 

In Conclusion, Feminism is the belief in and advocacy for equal rights and opportunities for all genders. Feminism seeks to challenge and dismantle societal norms and structures that perpetuate inequality, emphasising the importance of acknowledging and respecting the diverse experiences and strengths of individuals, irrespective of gender.

Word Count:- 2,032

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