Feminist Criticism

Thinking Activity

This blog is written as a part of the thinking activity assigned by Dr. Dilip Barad sir. In this blog, I am going to discuss feminist criticism and apply it to the novel 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen.

What is Feminism?

Feminism distinguishes between 'feminist' (a political position), 'female' (biological), and 'feminine' (culturally defined characteristics). Feminists criticized the portrayal of women in literature, revealing how it influenced societal norms and expectations. Feminine identity is given to women by the male-dominated society, as Simon de Beauvoir in her book 'The Second Sex' says "One is not born but rather becomes a woman."

Click here to read more about Feminist Criticism

       Feminist criticism in the realm of literary analysis emerged in the late 1960s, by the ongoing struggle for women's recognition, cultural contributions, and their rights in society. Several seminal works played a significant role in this movement, including 

• Mary Wollstonecraft's "A Vindication of the Rights of Woman" (1792), 
• John Stuart Mill's "The Subjection of Women" (1869), 
• Margaret Fuller's "Woman in the Nineteenth Century" (1845)

 Virginia Woolf's "A Room of One's Own," served as a precursor to feminist criticism.

   
The "second-wave feminism" movement gained momentum with Simone de Beauvoir's "The Second Sex" (1949), critiquing the cultural perception of women as the "Other" in contrast to men, who were seen as the dominant "Subject" representing humanity. It explored the portrayal of women in the works of male writers and questioned prevalent myths. 

      She says "One is not born, but rather becomes a woman". It means that woman is of social product not biological, it is decided by the society in which we are living.

  In the United States, Mary Ellmann's "Thinking about Women" (1968) marked the inauguration of modern feminist criticism. It focused on the derogatory stereotypes of women in literature by male authors and the alternative representations found in women's writings. Kate Millett's "Sexual Politics" delved into societal power dynamics, highlighting the manipulation of power to maintain male dominance over women. She applied Freud's psychoanalytic theory to uncover male bias, where women were reduced to mere sexual objects.

The years following 1969 witnessed an explosion of feminist literature, characterized by an urgency and excitement akin to a religious awakening, as noted by Elaine Showalter.

Various forms of feminism share common assumptions and concepts underlying their exploration of sexual difference and privilege in literature:

1. The pervasive patriarchal nature of Western civilization, where men hold a dominant role.

2. The idea that gender, distinct from biological sex, is a social construct.

3. The belief that patriarchal ideology influences traditional literary works.

Judith Fetterley's "The Resisting Reader" focuses on readers who resist an author's intentions to uncover and counter covert sexual biases within literary works. Another approach is to identify recurring and distorting "images of women" in literature, often falling into idealized or demonic patterns based on male desires and resentments.

Elaine Showalter introduced "gynocriticism," a form of criticism that develops a female framework for analyzing works by women, emphasizing personal and affectional themes. Gynocritics aim to identify feminine subject matter, unveil a female literary tradition, and delineate a distinctive feminine mode of experience.

The feminist movement has led to the recognition of many overlooked female authors and their works. Some feminists have also delved into lesbian literature and relationships in heterosexual cultures.

Feminist criticism has diversified over the years, with French feminist critics focusing on the role of gender in writing using poststructuralist frames of reference. They argue that discourse is "phallogocentric," organized around the phallus as a central signifier.

In the 1980s, feminist critics using poststructuralist positions challenged the category of "woman" and questioned the unity of female identities. They highlighted the diversity within female identities based on factors such as race, class, nationality, and historical context.

Judith Butler, in influential books, contested the idea of a fixed feminine identity and argued that gender is a social construct. She introduced the concept of gender as a "performative," emphasizing that gender roles are behaviors that individuals enact rather than inherent traits.

Feminist theoretical and critical writings continue to expand, with specialized journals, academic programs in women's studies, and courses in women's literature and feminist criticism becoming increasingly prevalent. The study of sexual differences in literature is expected to have a lasting impact on literary analysis, history, and academic instruction, both for male and female scholars.

Debates within feminist criticism have centered on three aspects:

• Role of theory
• The nature of language
• The value of psychoanalysis

This video is worth watching to understand the feminist criticism:

How to do Feminist criticism?

1. Rethink the canon, aiming at the rediscovery of texts written by women.

2. Revalue women's experience.

3. Examine representations of women in literature by men and women.

4. Challenge representations of women as 'Other', as 'lack', as part of 'nature'.

5. Examine power relations which obtain in texts and in life, with a view to breaking them down, seeing reading as a political act, and showing the extent of patriarchy.

6. Recognise the role of language in making what is social and constructed seem transparent and 'natural'.

7. Raise the question of whether men and women are 'essentially' different because of biology, or are socially constructed as different.

8. Explore the question of whether there is a female language, an ecriture feminine, and whether this is also available to men.

9. 'Re-read' psychoanalysis to further explore the issue of female and male identity.

10. 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 (e.g. of a black or lesbian writer) is central.

11. Make clear the ideological base of supposedly 'neutral' or 'mainstream' literary interpretations.

Now let's try to read "Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen in terms of Feminist Criticism:

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

"Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen, written in 1813 during the Romantic period, offers an interesting perspective when viewed through a feminist lens. 

       

Notably, it challenges and contributes to literary traditions dominated by male authors. Right from the start, the opening line of the novel suggests a male-centric view, stating that a wealthy man must be in want of a wife. 

"It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife"

This sets the tone for exploring societal expectations and limited choices for women in the early 19th century. 

The novel gives us a peek into the lives of women in the early 19th century, exploring their limited choices and societal expectations around marriage. Elizabeth's mom, Mrs. Bennet, is always on the lookout for a wealthy husband for her daughter, a theme that runs through the story.

   The protagonist, Elizabeth Bennet, faces pressure from her mother to marry a wealthy man like Mr. Collins. This reflects the societal emphasis on a woman's economic dependency on a man. 

         

           Interestingly, Elizabeth stands out by being more independent and even rejects Mr. Collins' proposal. However, the irony arises when, in the end, she marries Mr. Darcy and becomes Mrs. Darcy, conforming to traditional expectations. This highlights how ingrained societal norms can influence even the most independent characters.

Austen challenges traditional gender stereotypes, especially when Elizabeth is portrayed as a reader rather than someone solely focused on finding a husband. Yet, in the end, she also follows the common path of getting married.

 Throughout the story, women are portrayed as delicate and primarily concerned with securing a husband. The power dynamics are evident, with male characters at the center, and women at the periphery, showcasing the deeply rooted patriarchy of the time. Feminist critics may analyze the dialogues between male and female characters, noting power imbalances and societal expectations. 

       Elizabeth's wit challenges traditional notions of women's submission, and Jane's Even Jane's silence is examined for its strategic use in a society with rigid gender expectations. Austen's use of irony serves as social commentary, exposing the restrictions on women. Elizabeth's wit and intelligence challenge societal norms, but her eventual conformity raises questions about the limitations placed on women. Examining language in discussions about marriage, female relationships, and proposals allows for a deeper feminist critique. 

       The novel sheds light on the commodification of women in marriage, and language is a crucial element in conveying these critiques. This can be found in the dialogue between Elizabeth and Charlotte Lucas. 

Feminist analysis can scrutinize the language surrounding marriage proposals, highlighting the expectations on women to marry for financial security rather than love. The novel critiques the commodification of women in marriage.

The novel raises challenges about conforming to essentialist views of gender and identity crises, echoing Simone de Beauvoir's discussions about societal norms in creating a woman.

Despite being a female writer, Austen's male point of view is evident. While she attempts to break traditional gender role thinking, the circumstances at the end of the novel remain similar to other female characters.

In a nutshell, "Pride and Prejudice" challenges and reinforces societal norms related to gender roles, marriage, and power dynamics. It offers a complex portrayal of women's agency in a society dominated by patriarchy, inviting readers to reflect on the evolving nature of societal expectations and the role language plays in shaping them.

Thanks for visiting...

Words: 1510

Videos: 2

Imaged: 3