Republic of the Philippines
Pangasinan State University
Lingayen Campus
College of Teacher Education
Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in English
2nd Semester, A.Y. 2023-2024
DISCUSSION PAPER
Feminism
Literary Criticism
(EL 118)
Submitted by:
Vince Cruz, Diana Elizabeth B.
(BSE English III – B)
Submitted to:
MS. VLADIMIR MARIE E. CABUTOTAN
Instructor
FEMINISM
I. Introduction
Feminism, as a movement and a theory, has a significant impact on the field of
literary studies and the practice of literary criticism. Feminism provides a new and
alternative perspective on literature, by challenging and changing the existing literary
canon and tradition, by recovering and celebrating the works of women writers, by
exposing and resisting the gender inequalities and stereotypes that harm and silence
women, and by asserting the power and survival of women.
One of the angles or lenses that can be applied to literature is feminist literary
criticism, which explores the social relationships and roles of men and women in
literature. Feminist literary criticism draws on the ideas of feminist theory, which aims
to understand and challenge the roots and nature of gender inequality. Feminist literary
criticism examines how literature portrays and is influenced by patriarchal narratives
and structures, which often oppress and discriminate women. Feminist literary
criticism also seeks to recover and celebrate the works of women writers, who have
been historically marginalized and silenced by the male-dominated literary tradition.
II. Body
Feminist literary criticism
➢ It is an approach that applies a feminist perspective to literature, and explores
how literature portrays and is influenced by gender issues and feminist themes.
It focuses on the portrayal of women in literature, their interactions with men,
societal expectations for women, and the role of women in society.
Subtopics of Feminist Literary Criticism
1. Purpose and format of feminist literary criticism
The purpose of feminist literary criticism
• The purpose of feminist literary criticism is to apply a feminist
perspective to literature, and to explore how literature reflects and
affects the social and cultural conditions of women and men.
The format of feminist literary criticism
• The format of feminist literary criticism varies depending on the type
and scope of the paper, but it usually follows the standard structure
of an introduction, a body, and a conclusion, as well as a literature
review, a critical analysis, and a personal opinion or
recommendation.
2. Main method and goal of feminist literary criticism
One of the main methods of feminist literary criticism is to apply a feminist
lens to different genres and forms of literature, such as novels, poems,
plays, etc. By doing so, feminist literary critics can compare and contrast
how different types of literature represent and explore gender issues and
feminist themes, such as the roles and relationships of men and women, the
stereotypes and expectations of femininity and masculinity, the oppression
and liberation of women, the diversity and intersectionality of women's
experiences and identities, etc.
One of the main goals of feminist literary criticism is to expose and challenge
the gender inequalities and stereotypes that are embedded in literary texts
and culture, and to celebrate the diversity and complexity of women's
experiences and identities. By doing so, feminist literary criticism can offer
a critical and creative perspective on literature, and can contribute to the
field of literary studies and the feminist movement.
3. Main concepts and terms of feminist literary criticism
Elaine Showalter’s three phases in women’s writing
• Elaine Showalter's three phases in women's writing are a framework
that categorizes the development and evolution of women's literature
according to three stages: the feminine, the feminist, and the female.
In her 1977 work A Literature of Their Own, Showalter argued that
women's writing reflects their historical and social conditions, and
that it changes as women gain more awareness and autonomy.
➢ The feminine phase is characterized by women writers who imitate the male
models and standards, and who seek acceptance and recognition from the
male-dominated literary field.
❖ "Pride and Prejudice," reflect the social
realities of women in a patriarchal
society, yet they do so within the
confines of the novel form as shaped by
male predecessors.
➢ The feminist phase is characterized by women writers who rebel against the
male models and standards, and who seek to challenge and change the
patriarchal society and culture.
❖ The feminist phase is exemplified by
Virginia Woolf's "A Room of One's
Own, where she directly addresses the
disparities between men and women in
literature and society. Woolf critiques
the limitations imposed on women
writers and emphasizes the need for
financial independence and personal
space for women to write.
➢ The female phase is characterized by women writers who create their own
models and standards, and who seek to express their own identity and
diversity. Showalter's three phases in women's writing are relevant to feminist
literary criticism, as they help to analyze and evaluate the history and
conditions of women's literature, and how it relates to the feminist movement.
❖ Toni Morrison with her novel
"Beloved" create narratives that are
distinctly female in perspective and
form. Morrison's work does not seek
to imitate or rebel against male
standards but instead offers a
unique narrative style that explores
the complexities of female identity
and experience.
Sandra Gilbert and Susan Gubar’s Madwoman Thesis
• Sandra Gilbert and Susan Gubar's Madwoman Thesis is a concept
that refers to the way that women writers use the image of the
madwoman as a symbol of their own anger and creativity, and as a
way of subverting the patriarchal literary tradition. In their 1979 work
The Madwoman in the Attic, Gilbert and Gubar argued that women
writers are trapped in a double bind: they are either confined to the
domestic sphere, where they are expected to be docile and
submissive, or they are exiled to the margins, where they are
considered to be dangerous and rebellious. Gilbert and Gubar
claimed that women writers use the image of the madwoman, who is
often hidden or locked in the attic, as a metaphor for their own
situation and expression.
❖ "The Madwoman in the Attic" is a
seminal work of feminist literary
criticism that examines the trope of
the madwoman—a symbol of
female creativity and rebellion
against patriarchal norms.
4. Strengths and weaknesses of feminist
• The strengths and weaknesses of feminist literary criticism, such as
its contribution to the field of literary studies and the feminist
movement, its diversity and intersectionality, and its limitations and
challenges.
Strengths:
• It highlights the historical and cultural contexts of literature, and how they affect
the representation and treatment of women and other marginalized groups.
• It challenges the male-dominated literary canon and tradition, and recovers the
voices and works of women writers who have been ignored or suppressed.
• It promotes diversity and intersectionality, by considering how factors such as
race, class, sexuality, and disability intersect with gender and affect the
experiences and perspectives of women.
• It fosters critical thinking and awareness, by exposing the biases and
stereotypes in literature and society, and by encouraging readers to question
their own assumptions and expectations.
Weaknesses:
• It may be accused of being too subjective, biased, or ideological, by imposing
a feminist agenda or perspective on literature and ignoring other possible
interpretations or viewpoints.
• It may be too broad or vague, by encompassing a variety of approaches,
methods, and theories that may not share a common definition or goal of
feminism.
• It may be too exclusive or divisive, by focusing only on women and their issues,
and neglecting or alienating men and their contributions.
• It may face limitations and challenges, such as the lack of access to or
availability of women's texts, the difficulty of defining or measuring the impact
of feminist criticism, and the resistance or backlash from conservative or hostile
forces.
III. Conclusion
In summary, feminist literary criticism helps us understand and critique literature
from a feminist point of view. It shows us how the history and culture of a time affect
how women are shown in literature. It also questions the power of men over women
in literature and society.
It brings back the stories and works of women writers who were forgotten or
ignored. It also shows us how different factors like race, class, and sexuality affect
women's lives and views. However, this approach has some strengths and
weaknesses. It makes us think and be aware, but it may also be seen as biased or
one-sided. It only focuses on women and their problems and may not care about men
and their contributions.
It may also face some problems, such as not having enough women's texts, not
knowing how to measure its impact, and facing opposition from some people. But, by
talking about these issues and breaking the rules, feminist literary criticism still plays
an important role in changing literature and society for the better. Therefore, it is
important for readers and writers to use feminist literary criticism, not only to analyze
texts, but also to change the world.
Literary Piece
Longus' Daphnis and Chloe
"Daphnis and Chloe" is a pastoral romance
novel written by Longus, set in the idyllic countryside
of Lesbos. The story follows the lives of two
foundlings, Daphnis and Chloe, who are raised by
shepherds. As they grow up, they experience the
innocence of youth, discover love and desire, and
navigate the complexities of relationships.
Daphnis and Chloe, unaware of their true
identities, develop a deep bond and eventually fall in
love with each other. However, their love is tested by
misunderstandings, societal expectations, and
external challenges. Throughout the narrative,
Daphnis and Chloe face trials and tribulations as they
strive to be together and overcome obstacles that
threaten their happiness.
The novel explores themes of love, innocence,
nature, and the pastoral way of life. Daphnis and
Chloe's journey of self-discovery and romance
unfolds against the backdrop of the lush
countryside, where they learn about themselves,
their feelings, and the complexities of
relationships.
As they navigate the challenges of love and
desire, Daphnis and Chloe's bond deepens,
leading to moments of joy, sorrow, and growth.
Through their experiences, they come to
understand the true nature of love and the
importance of staying true to their feelings amidst
societal expectations and external pressures.
In the end, Daphnis and Chloe's love triumphs,
culminating in their union and marriage. The novel
celebrates the purity of their love, the beauty of the
natural world, and the enduring power of romance
in the pastoral setting of ancient Greece.
Short activity for the Class
Think, Reflect, and Write!
Instruction: In 3-5 sentences, identify and explain one gender issue that is present
in the excerpt. Write your answer in 1/2 crosswise paper.
Excerpt:
"For women, then, poetry is not a luxury. It is a vital necessity of our existence. It
forms the quality of the light within which we predicate our hopes and dreams toward
survival and change, first made into language, then into idea, then into more tangible
action.”
Audre Lorde
REFERENCES:
• StudySmarter. (n.d.). Feminist literary criticism.
https://www.studysmarter.co.uk/explanations/english-literature/literary-
criticism-and-theory/feminist-literary-criticism.
• Arcadia. (2019, March 8). Feminism and feminist literary theory.
https://www.byarcadia.org/post/feminism-and-feminist-literary-theory.
• Nordquist, R. (2019, December 10). Feminist literary criticism: An overview.
ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/feminist-literary-criticism-3528960.
• Study.com. (n.d.). Feminist theory: Models, criticisms & examples.
https://study.com/academy/lesson/feminist-theory-models-criticisms-
examples.html.
• A Research Guide. (n.d.). Feminist theories.
https://www.aresearchguide.com/feminist-theories.html.
• SuperSummary. (n.d.). Feminist literary theory guide.
https://www.supersummary.com/feminist-literary-theory-guide/.
