Feminist Criticism in Literature

Professor Matt discusses feminist criticism, focusing on gender roles and the critique of patriarchy. He explains the camps of feminism, egalitarianism, and essentialism, and traces the phases of feminist criticism from the 1960s to the 1980s. The lecture addresses the identity crisis in defining a female novel and outlines key principles of feminist criticism, including the impact of patriarchal structures and the empowerment of women. Finally, he provides guidance on applying feminist criticism to literature.

What does feminist criticism primarily focus on?

• Economic systems

• Human identity and gender roles

• Political ideologies

• Technological advancements

How is feminist criticism related to socioeconomic class?

• It ignores class differences

• It is unrelated to class

• It is closely related and involves Marxist criticism

• It only focuses on the upper class

What is the goal of egalitarian feminism?

• To highlight unique feminine qualities

• To promote male dominance

• To make women equal with men in society

• To eliminate all gender roles

What was the focus of the first phase of feminist criticism in the 1960s?

• Women's roles in politics

• Men's treatment of women in fiction

• Economic empowerment of women

• Technological advancements for women

What is a key principle of feminist criticism regarding language and power structures?

• They have always been gender-neutral

• They reflect patriarchal interests

• They are irrelevant to feminist criticism

• They empower women equally

How have women historically resisted patriarchal oppression?

• By focusing solely on domestic duties

• By ignoring it

• Through negotiation of their needs

• By accepting their roles

Which critical frameworks can be combined with feminist criticism?

• Only economic theories

• Marxist, race, ethnicity, and poststructuralist criticism

• Only political ideologies

• None, it stands alone

What is a practical way to apply feminist criticism in literature?

• By analyzing how women are depicted

• By only reading modern texts

• By focusing on male characters

• By ignoring gender roles