Feminist Literary Theory

True or false: The definition of feminist literary theory is constantly evolving as we enter different periods in society

• true

• false

Feminist literary theory could be described as...

• The struggles women face in society and the ways these struggles are reflected and questioned (or not) in literature

• Criticising male characters in literature

• focusing only on stories with strong female role models

• A relatively new theory , from 2000 onwards

Define patriarchy

• any culture that privileges men by promoting traditional gender roles.

• A New England football team

• any culture that privileges women by promoting traditional gender roles.

• the quality of being patriotic; devotion to and vigorous support for one's country.

Define sexism

• to promote the belief that men are inferior to women

• to promote the belief that all women are evil

• to promote the belief that women are inferior to men

• to promote the belief that all men are evil

This belief in the inborn inferiority of women is called

• women inferiority complex

• gender essentialism

• stupid

• biological essentialism

Are there biological differences between men and women

• Yes

• No

• It depends

• Not always

What does the word gender refer to

• our biological makeup as female or male

• our cultural programming as feminine or masculine

• the sex of a baby

• It's unclear