Feminism

ü  

               Feminism

Definition

According to universal Dictionary

“Feminism is a social movement that seeks to change the traditional role and image of a woman, to eliminate the sexism and to height appreciation of the experience and qualities unique to the female sex”

Feminism has very slow development around 1880s.The French lady Hurbertine Acculert had used the word “feministe” and “feminisme” for the first time. Later on it become feminism in sociology and literature. French feminist “Toril Moi” had defined and differentiated three terms which are at the centre of entire feministe movement.

1) Feminine (1840-1880)

2) Feminist (1880-1920)

3) Female (1920-present)

ü History of Feminism.

      

·       The first wave of feminism began in the

Late 17^th century. Aphra Behm is considered to be the first published woman writer. Other works that follow with feminist ideas are as under.

“A vindication of the Rights of women”- Mary wool stone Craft.

“Subjection of women”- John Stuart Mill.

                 These works talk about equality and the need for change. Later more women writer had started writings.

EXAMPLE- Bronte sisters, Jane Austen and George Eliot.

           Majority of the works by these women writer focus on the domestic’s problems and affairs of the home.

·       The 2^nd wave of feminism came in 1960-1970. It

Was characterised by political movement for equality, suffrage and employment opportunities. In this wave the older women fought for the individual right and liberties. While the younger women fought for collective right.

After discussing the above waves of feminism, the critics have divided feminist into two categories

ü Activist

ü Academics

The activist fought for political rights where as the academics have written feminist theory and feminist writing.

                   Literature is concerned with the academics feminism. Literature can be studied from a feminist perspective. A feminist reading of any work in literature generally examines the place of woman in literature and the society. Moreover the feminist readings of any work check out the style and structure of society. Where female is considered as weak and insigficant.

v Academics

           Academic feminism is divided into feminist theory, feminist writing and feminist criticism. In academic feminism the writers have written about those aspects which are practised by activist, through their action. According to Kathleen B. Jones,

“Feminist theory is a philosophical analysis of concept of gender and the meaning of sexual difference”.

           There are some of the world famous feminist works in English literature. They are as under.

“A room of one’s own”- Virginia Woolf

                    This work considered as the BIBLE of feminism.

“Thinking about women”- Mary Ell man

                This book discusses the stereo-types of woman in literature written by male writer.

“The second sex”- Simon de peauvoir

                 This work is radically criticises the treatment of women as secondary and negative object.

“Sexual politics”- Kate Millet

                  This work examines the relations of power in society. It even analyse the dominance of patriarchy and oppression of women as subordinate.

“The mad woman in the attic”- Susan aular & Saundra Gilbert.

“Feminist criticism in wilderness”- Elian shelter.

                   This two work demand for the need for fresh ideas of feminist criticism and feminist writing.

v Feminism as a literary movement

                 Feminist writing has passed through different stages. According to Elaine Showalter ‘initially the women writer limited the masculine literary canon’ after these there was a strong violent reaction against masculine literary canon. In this stage the female writer demanded fro the separateness. Finally there was an understanding and acceptance of the situation of woman writer. As a result the feminist criticism developed in this stage. Elaine showolter has popularised the concept of idea, “Gyno criticism”. There are many important feminist critics whose names are as below.

ü Elaine showolter

ü Emma goldmine

ü Betty Friedan

ü Julia Kristova.

v Types of Feminism

    

Ø Eco- feminism

     In eco feminism, the feminist find similarity between situation of women and Nature. Here, in well as right of nature.

Ø Marxist feminism

   Marxist feminism takes inspiration from the work Bebel. The title of book is “women under socialism”. The Marxist feminism fight for equal economic rights.

Ø Liberal feminism

       Here in liberal feminism the women fight for the right vote. In other word, in this feminism suffrage was given more importance. They ask for liberal politics where in they can also participate.

Ø Radical feminism

     The follower of radical feminism holds very strong views. They believe that men have controlled and dominated woman throughout, not only that but they have also exploited woman badly. As a result the radical feminism demands for freedom from the male oppression.

Ø Psychoanalysis feminism.

       Psychoanalysis feminism asks the question about the concept of feminism. They given argue about social upbringing, traditional belief about female.

Ø Mythic feminism

       In mythic feminism the women writer studied the ancient myths and creates their own inspiration. They give a new explanation and development to the mythic female characters. Even they prove that myths are ‘Androgenic”. “Dropadi”- Mahashweta Devi.