1. Literary Criticism By Worth Weller

2. “Criticism” The process of applying a set of critical thinking tools to “illuminate” a text Provides an array of possibilities Not meant to be exclusive Not meant to replace simple enjoyment of the text But may enhance both the pleasure and meaning of the experience of reading

3. Sociological Criticism Argues that literature is profoundly affected by: –The societal forces that surround authors –The societal forces that surround readers Usually divided into two schools: –Feminist –Marxist (Stanford 85)

4. Feminist Criticism Western civilization historically male- dominated Thus Western lit reflects “patriarchal” themes Views female ideals, values and points of view Omission of women from the “canon” (Stanford 85)

5. History of “Feminism” http://www.casahistoria.net/index.html

6. History of “Feminism”… http://us.history.wisc.edu/hist102/lectures/lecture14.html

7. History of “Feminism”… http://womenshistory.about.com/l

8. History of “Feminism” http://www.lwvpasadenaarea.org/

9. Margaret Sanger Birth control pioneer Early feminist, 1879-1966 Jailed when she opened a family planning clinicJailed www.amazon.com

10. Kate Chopin 1851-1904 Lustful Suicide www.nortonbooks.com

11. Charlotte Perkins Gilman 1860-1935 Women’s place in society Must be “mad” not to accept and appreciate that place Male doctors

12. Other Literary Feminists Henrik Ibsen – the Doll’s House Susan Glaspell – A Jury of Her Peers, Trifles Sylvia Plath – The Bell JarSylvia Plath

13. Marxist Criticism Focuses on ideological content and conflict: –Culture –Race –Class –Power Corrects social injustices (Meyer 68)

14. Marxist Critics Argue that literature is political in nature –Either challenges or supports economic oppression –Or if ignore class conflicts then supports them by supporting the status quo Pay more attention to content and theme than to form Believe individual conflict is part of the greater class struggle (Meyer 68)

15. Marxist Readings Would examine the sociological connections between Kate Chopin and Charlotte Perkins Gilman

16. Other Examples Langston Hughes William Faulkner The Beats The Doors Frederick Douglass Toni Morrison Zora Neal Hurston www.boisestate.edu/english/mnewman/

17. Works Cited Meyer, Michael, ed. Thinking and Writing About Literature. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2001. Stanford, Judith, ed. Responding to Literature. Boston: McGraw Hill, 2006.