Chapter7 Gender Studies

Began as Feminism Ontological/biological vs. cultural Biological: innate inferiority? Gayle Rubin tokens as exchange residues

Cultural sustentation In religion In mythology and philosophy Dichotomy Reason vs. Emotion Adrienne Rich, “compulsory heterosexuality”

The Yellow Wall Paper Charlotte Perkins Gilman “It is dull enough to confuse the eye in following, pronounced enough to constantly irritate and provoke study, and when you follow the lame uncertain curves for a little distance they suddenly commit suicide－plunge off at outrageous angles, destroy themselves in unheard of contradictions.”

The mother-image and the monster making Men Reject the powerless state Luce Irigaray, Sandra Gilbert, and Susan Gubar The mother-image and the monster making Men Reject the powerless state Abstraction: the angel image Example: 1. Medusa 2.“Angel In the House” by Coventry Patmore 3. “The Blessed Damozel”

The Angel In the House ◆“Yet is it now my chosen task/ ◆“For she’s so simply, subtly sweet.” ◆“Yet is it now my chosen task/ To sign her worth as Maid and Wife” ◆”And by her gentleness made great,/ I’ll teach how noble man should be/ To match with such a lovely mate.” Coventry Patmore

Gay and Lesbian Studies Gay writers Question the gender categorization The normativity Cultural influences on gender construction The fear of the heterosexuality Masculine women