1. Reader Response
Feminist theory

2. What is literary or critical theory?
What do you mean by “critical perspective”? The terms “literary theory” and “critical theory” refer to essentially the same fields of study. They both address ways of looking at literature beyond the typical plot-theme, character-setting studies.

3. There are several benefits:
What are the benefits of studying a work from more than one critical perspective?
There are several benefits:
• One of the views is likely to affirm your perspective and speak to what you see in the literature you are studying.
• Studying a view different from yours—not to
disagree with it, but to understand it—helps you
understand those who hold that view.
• Studying a work from more than one view gives
you a deeper understanding of the author’s work
and a better appreciation for the richness of it.

4. Introduction to feminist theory
Misogyny
Sexism
Feminism
“other”
Gender
patriarchy

5. Feminism
Belief in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes.
The goals of feminism are:
To demonstrate the importance of women
To reveal that historically women have been subordinate to men
To bring about gender equity.

6. Gender social category imposed on a sexed body cultural construction
ideas about appropriate roles for women and men.
WHO DRIVES THE MOTORCYCLE? BARBIE OR KEN? WHY?

7. SEXISM
What is Sexism
Sexism is any attitude, action, or institutional structure which subordinates and subjucates a person or group because of gender (sex).
The components of sexism are prejudice and discrimination.

8. What does patriarchy mean?
“the rule of men as a social group over women as a social group,” and
“a system based on sexual hierarchy,” with men at the top and women below.

9. Misogyny Misogyny means “woman-hating.”
Terms like slut, whore, ho, tramp, trick, and tart stem from misogyny.

10. Feminist Theory
“Examines the ways in which literature (and other cultural productions) reinforce or undermine the economic, political, social, and psychological oppression of women” (Tyson 81).

11. Feminist Theory
Three main areas of study and points of criticism exist in the Feminist Theory:
1. differences between men and women
2. women in positions of power and power dynamics between men and women
3. the female experience

12. Feminist Theory Examining “Cinderella” from a Feminist perspective.
• Consider the potentially misogynist theme of
abused-girl-waiting-to-be-rescued-by-prince.
• Consider the values conveyed in the portrayal of the “good girl” as physically beautiful and the
“wicked girls” as physically ugly.

13. A Feminist Critique of Cinderella and other female heroines

14. Cinderella’s Gender Biases
Gender Stereotype
Cinderella
Women:
Nurturing, kind, passive, non-logical, not powerful
Beautiful, skinny
Willing to marry, waiting for Marriage
Manipulative, catty
Men
Logical-problem solvers
Strong
Handsome and powerful
Cinderella
White, beautiful, passive, kind, waiting for a Prince to rescue her
Stepmother/sister
Ugly, vindictive, evil, cruel and jealous of Cinderella’s beauty
Prince:
Handsome, strong
Figures out how to solve the problem
Rescues Cinderella

15. A Feminist critic would analyze Twilight
A Feminist critic would analyze Twilight. These pictures depict her as: insecure, submissive, dependent, reliant, protected, main but lesser, sustained by, accessory, strong because of, empowered by, obedient, even slavish

16. A Feminist critic, such as myself, would analyze Juno
A Feminist critic, such as myself, would analyze Juno. These pictures depict her as: confident, powerful, equal, firm, at peace, dauntless, self-sufficient, co-owning, secure, judged but able to withstand, even bolder than her “man”

17. Pause the lecture and watch clip 2 from Waiting to Exhale
A Medium for Voice
Waiting to Exhale is a venue for black feminist thought; it gives black women voice and affirms black solidarity and sisterhood while also providing a means for black women to communicate their “lived experiences” to the masses.
Pause the lecture and watch clip 2 from Waiting to Exhale

18. Real Women Have Curves
As you watch this film use feminist theory to decide if the women in this film are portrayed a positive or negative light.