Sede Pérez Zeledón .

English department

Literary Criticism

Prof. Ingrid Pamela Mora Navarro

Feminist approach

Jaklin Sandí Sanabria

Marcela Méndez Mora

I quarter 2021
Feminist approach or Feminist criticism

Feminist criticism is a form of literary criticism that's based on feminist theories. Broadly,

it's understood to be concerned with the politics of feminism, and it uses feminist principles

to critique the male-dominated literature. 

Feminist criticism's roots are in women's social, political, economic and psychological

oppression. By seeking to view women in a new perspective and discover women's

contributions to literary history, feminist criticism aims to reinterpret the old texts and

establish the importance of women's writing to save it from being lost or ignored in the

male-dominated world. It also seeks to establish female perspectives as being of equal

importance relative to male perspectives.

Feminist criticism's major concerns

At its core, feminist criticism concerns itself with stereotypical representations of genders.

Thus, although there are many ideas that can be considered through a feminist lens,

feminist criticism is primarily concerned with a few ideas and issues that help feminist

critics examine gender politics in works, trace the subtle construction of masculinity and

femininity and understand gender politics within literary works.

Women's oppression by the patriarchy

Feminist critics argue that women's oppression has gone on for ages in patriarchal cultures.

In this view, women's oppression has social, economic, political and psychological aspects

and is tied directly to the traditional system of male dominance at the head of the family.

Patriarchal family structures are represented in nearly all cultures' old literary works.
The view that women are secondary

Women's oppression has historically been rationalized as being due to supposed to

differences in male versus female physical and mental capabilities. In patriarchal cultures,

women are often granted few decision-making powers and are considered as secondary —

again, this view is seen in many books and literature across cultures and societies.

Cultural discrimination against women

When women are considered as the feminine counterpart to male masculinity, some male

authors — especially those who produce religious works — position women as the causes

of sin and death. The story of Adam and Eve, in which Eve causes the first man and

woman's expulsion from the Garden of Eden, is a classic example of this trope.

Feminist Theory's alignment with the three waves of feminism

Feminist criticism has roughly aligned with the three waves of feminism, so there are three

rough periods of feminist criticism, each with their own defining characteristics, that

correspond with each phase of women's overall political emancipation. 

First wave feminism: men's treatment of women (late 1700s-early 1900s)

The first wave of feminists largely focused on inequalities between the sexes. This is also

the wave of feminism that contains the women's suffrage movement, led by Susan B.

Anthony and Victoria Woodhull. 

Thus, the first wave of feminist criticism largely focused on how male authors and novelists

view and portray women in their works. Critics in this time considered the ways in which

novelists discriminate against and marginalize women characters.

Some key books from this time are Geoffrey Chaucer's "Wife of Bath," Mary

Wollstonecraft's "A Vindication of the Rights of Women" (1792), Marry Ellman's

"Thinking About Women" (1968) and Kate Millet's "Sexual Politics" (1969). Ellman,

Millet and Germaine Greer played an important role in raising questions about the practice

of showing feminism in both contemporary and canon literature.

Second wave feminism: gynocriticism (early 1960s-late 1970s)

The second wave of feminism focused on establishing more equal working conditions,

which were necessary in the U.S. during World War II, and bringing women together for

feminist political activism. 

The feminist criticism during this wave is also called "gynocriticism," and it involves three

major aspects: 

1. Examination and recognition of female writers' work.

2. Consideration of the treatment of women in literary works by both male and female

authors.

3. Exploring the canon of literature written by female writers in order to understand

female writers' contributions in the context of female empowerment and criticizing

the ways women have been treated (and mistreated) in various cultures.

During this time, Simone de Beauvoir ("Le Deuxième Sexe", 1949) and Elaine Showalter

established the groundwork for feminist theories and helped them spread more broadly. 

In her book "A Literature of Their Own," Showalter proposed three phases of women

writing: 
 1. Feminine Phase: women writers try to follow the rules made by male writers, try to

avoid debating and questioning women's place in the literature, and try to write as

men by using male pseudonyms. 

2. Feminist Phase: women writers begin criticizing women's treatment in society and

literature, and the oppression of women in society is the main theme of gender

criticism in their works.

3. Female Phase: women writers begin moving from merely providing the woman's

perspective to having confidence in their work and assuming that whatever they

have written is valid and doesn't need aggressive arguments and support to prove its

authenticity.

Third wave feminism (early 1990s-present)

This wave of feminism seeks to resist the perceived essentialist (overgeneralized,

oversimplified) ideologies and white, heterosexual, middle-class focus of second wave

feminism. It borrows from post-structural and contemporary race and gender theories to

expand on marginalized populations' experiences. Third wave feminists emphasize

individual rights, as well as acceptance of diversity.

The third wave's roots are in the "riot grrl" feminist punk subculture that begin in Olympia,

Washington in the early 1990s. That subculture began with the purpose of bringing

consciousness and politics together through punk style.

In this time, writers such as Alice Walker work to reconcile feminism with their own

minority communities' concerns.  Some key works to understand this wave's feminist

criticisms are Deborah McDowell's "New Directions for Black Feminist Criticism" (1980),

Alice Walker's "In Search of Our Mother's Gardens" (1983), Lillian S. Robinson's "Treason

out Text: Feminist Challenges to the Literary Canon" (1983), and Camille Paglia's "Sexual

Personae: The Androgyne in Literature and Art" (1990). Riot grrls and Sarah Dyer's Action

Girl Newsletter also played important roles in creating the iconography and style for the

zine movement for women in this era.

Changed views towards feminism in the third wave

Third wave feminists, authors and critics argue that feminism's meaning has changed

considerably, and needs to now be viewed with a different perspective. They believe that

women need to rise above concerns about equality merely in jobs, education or family

settings. Instead, third wave feminists argue, women need to raise their voices and fight for

their rights. 

Chief Justice Clarence Thomas' appointment to the Supreme Court despite sexual

harassment allegations against him by Anita Hill was a major tipping point for this

movement. For women in the third wave, Thomas' appointment illustrated the need for

more work for feminism.

Key words in feminist criticism

There are a few key words in feminist criticism that one must to understand in order to

follow many works. 

 Patriarchy: traditional male-dominated society.

 Marginalization: the process or state of being forced to the edges of social and

political significance.
The practice of feminist criticism.

Feminist criticism is applied to literature by examining the characters' portrayals, the text's

language, the author's attitude, and the inter-character relationships. Feminist critics also

consider the author's apparent commentary about society as a whole. 

Some questions that feminist critics may ask include: 

 How is the relationship between men and women portrayed?

 What are the power relationships between men and women?

 How are male and female roles defined?

 What constitutes masculinity and femininity?

 What does the work reveal about the operations (economic, political, social, or

psychological) of patriarchy?

 What does the work imply about the possibilities of sisterhood as a mode of

resisting patriarchy?

 What does the work say about women's creativity?

 What does the history of the work's reception by the public and by the critics tell us

about the operation of patriarchy?

Feminist criticism's goals

Ultimately, feminist criticism, like the broader feminist movement itself, asks us to

consider the relationships between men and women and their relative roles in society. Much

of feminist criticism reminds us that men and women's roles in society are often unequal

and reflective of a particular patriarchal ideology, and these realities are often represented

in both the production of literature and literary texts themselves. 

Deborah Appleman, a Professor of Education Studies at Carleton College, says, "Feminist

theorists ask readers to pay particular attention to the patterns of thought, behavior, values,

and power in [male-female] relationships. Feminist literary critics remind us that literary

values, conventions, and even the production of literature, have themselves been

historically shaped by men. They invite us to consider writings by women, both new and

forgotten, and also ask us to consider viewing familiar literature through a feminist

perspective."

By considering literature and the world around us from a feminist perspective, feminist

critics seek to make us more aware of our societies' attitudes towards women, especially in

cases where current attitudes harm or otherwise marginalize women. 

By recognizing women's value and their contributions to literature and society, feminist

criticism seeks to elevate women to their rightful place in society as contributors to and

important elements of literary works and society writ large.

Little Red Cap Analysis

CHARACTERIZATION

Little Red Cap

She was a sweet and innocence little girl known as Red little cap because she always wore

a red cap made of velvet that her grandmother gave her. Everyone who saw her liked her.

She is the protagonist.

Little Red Cap´s Mother

Text does not mention any characteristic about her personality or physical appearance.

Little Red Cap´s Grandmother

She was so ill, week and she could not get up of her bed also she lived alone in a house out

in the woods, a half hour from the village.

The Wolf

He is the antagonist, he a is wicked, liar and cheating animal.

The huntsman

He could be seen as a the hero and a good person.

PLOT ANALYSIS

Exposition

Once there was a sweet little girl who was loved by everyone. Her grandmother especially

loved her and made her a little red velvet cap, which she wore so much that everyone called

her Little Red Cap.

One day when she is sent by her mother to visit her grandmother with a piece of cake and a

bottle of wine because she was ill and weak, and they would do her good, also her mother

told her to walk nicely and quietly and do not run off the path and the little girl promised

not to do it.

Rising Action

Along the way, she meets a wicked wolf who pretends to be good. He tricks Little Red Cap

into straying from the path to pick wild flowers so that he can run ahead to Grandmother’s

house.

Once there, the wolf knocks on the door and pretends to be Little Red Cap. The

grandmother was so ill at bed and she invites him to “lift the latch” and enter her house.

The wolf then goes to her bedroom and ate her up. Then he took her clothes, put them on,

and put her cap on his head and lays at her bed waiting for Little Red Cap, whom he intends

to eat next.

Climax

When Little Red Cap arrives, she senses that something is not right, suddenly she felt afraid

but she still walks into the bedroom expecting to find her Grandmother. Then she notes that
the ears, eyes, hands, and mouth were different from those of her real grandmother had.

Sooner she realized that it’s the wolf, then he ate her up too.

Falling Action

As soon as the wolf had finished this tasty bite, he climbed back into bed, fell asleep, and

began to snore very loudly. A huntsman was just passing by. He thought it strange that the

old woman was snoring so loudly, so he decided to take a look. When he goes inside, he

sees the wolf and realizes all the situation and thought that maybe the little red cap could be

saved, he decides to cut his stomach and open it while the wolf was sleeping.

Resolution

When we open the wolf´s stomach the Little Red Cap and Grandmother jumped out alive.

They filled the wolf’s body with heavy stones, and when he woke up and tried to run away,

the stones were so heavy that he fell down dead. The three of them were happy. The

huntsman took the wolf’s pelt. The grandmother ate the cake and drank the wine that Little

Red Cap had brought and the little red cap learned not to disobey her mother.

Setting

The story took place and different scenarios, the first one is in a village were the little red

cap and her mother lived, them the path in the wood that she had to followed and finally at

her grandmother’s house that was under the three large oak trees.
Conflict

Character Vs Character: The Wolf against the Lille Red Cap, he wanted to ate her and

her grandmother, in order to do it he tricked her, also could be mention the huntsman

against the wolf, the story mention that the huntsman had been hunting the wolf for such a

long time and at the end he kill him.

Character Vs Self: The Little Red Cap knew that she could not leave the path but also she

wanted to do something nice to her grandmother and take her a bouquet of flowers.

Mood

Dark, evil, afraid but also can be identify a hopeful and happy mood at the end of the story.

Theme

The theme of the story can be related to not to fully trust in people or maybe in

appearances, sometimes they can say many things that could seems to be good or with good

intentions but it is not like that, maybe they just want to take advantage of us of they have

hidden intention.

Point of view

The third person omniscient point of view

The story has a narrator who knows everything, all the thoughts and feelings of all of the

characters in the story but does not participated in the story.

Figurative Language

Personification

It can be evidence in the fact that story has a wolf with human trails. A talking wolf.

Symbolisms

Red Color:

In western society red is a color symbolic of sin, blood, lust, anger and passion

The Wolf:

The wolf is seen as a seducer, leading well behaved girls to sin and their death.

Huntsman:

He represents the belief that a woman will always be ‘saved’ when she finds a good man.

Imagery

“Little Red Cap opened her eyes and saw the sunlight breaking through the trees and how

the ground was covered with beautiful flowers” This quote gives us the idea about how was

the place for which she left the path. A place full of beautiful flowers that are blossoming

and singing birds.

“Under the three large oak trees” whit this quote we can imagine who was the place where

her grandmother´s house were located.

Feminist approach applies to the story “Red Little Cap”

The Little Red Cap is a tale written by the Grimm, this tale reflects values and beliefs of the

19thcentury, there are different versions of this tale but specially this story reflects the

values of good moral behavior, and the male dominated society of the time. The story gives

insight into the sinful behavior of women and the consequences for those actions, this text

also illustrates the patriarchal values that were the standard of the time through the

introduction of the male hero. This version of the story shows little red cap as a beautiful,

slightly unintelligent, and possibly quite vain, a great deviation from the intelligent, strong

willed girl in the original story if we capered both. Little red cap is now seen purely a

victim, a place appropriate for a female in the 19th century.

 The Birthmark

Nathaniel Hawthorne (1846)

Analysis

CHARACTERIZATION:

Aylmer

A brilliant yet misguided scientist and the protagonist of the story. Aylmer’s experiments

and creations have made him famous in the scientific community. He has investigated

volcanoes, mines, and clouds; bottled the world’s most delicious scents; created a powerful

poison; and made a potion capable of erasing physical flaws such as freckles. Although his

intentions are good, Aylmer is a selfish and cruel man whose delusions ultimately kill his

wife.

Georgiana

Aylmer’s wife. A beautiful, intelligent, and caring woman, Georgiana is physically and

spiritually lovely. Her only flaw is a small red birthmark shaped like a tiny hand on her left

cheek. Georgiana worships her husband and submits to his unreasonable demands, despite

her suspicions that they will kill her.

Aminadab

Aylmer’s assistant. A hulking, strong, grubby man, Aminadab is an able helper but

simultaneously disgusted by Aylmer’s desire to erase Georgiana’s birthmark. Because

Aminadab represents the physical side of existence, his disgust is a strong indictment of

Aylmer. Ironically, Aminadab feels more compassion for Georgiana than her own husband

does.

PLOT :

Exposition

In the story of “The Birthmark”, the narrator introduces Aylmer, a brilliant scientist, and his

wife Georgiana.

Conflict

Aylmer loves his wife, but she has a small birthmark on the side of her left cheek that he

despises.

Rising Action

Aylmer becomes obsessed with Georgiana’s birthmark. He seems to be the only person

who finds the mark disturbing. His wife along with the rest of the townspeople find

Georgiana to be beautiful. Yet, Aylmer says that her almost perfect face is what makes the

mark so shocking. Eventually he wears Georgiana down and she agrees to allow him to

attempt removing it.

Climax

The couple moves to his apartment where he performs his scientific experiments. As

Georgiana studies the various aspects of her husband's profession she finds herself

captivated by what he can do. Although, she reads his journals and finds out that all his

experiments never quite reach their full goal.

Falling Action

Without hesitation Almyer comes up with a potion which he believes will cure Georgiana

and make her perfect.

Resolution

She drinks the potion and the mark fades; however, she too fades with the mark. Upon her

death the reader is left with the blunt reality that man is flawed and the sin of perfection

leads to death.

Setting: The action takes place in the late 1700s at an unidentified location in Britain.

Conflict: I would say the initial conflict that shapes "The Birthmark" is

person versus person: Aylmer's disapproval of his wife's birthmark, which surprises and

upsets Georgiana.
Mood: The Birthmark" has a very sinister mood. From the beginning, Aylmer's obsession

with the birthmark on his wife's face doesn't bode well for any of the characters. He

prevents happiness and accord in their marriage because he cannot let go of what he sees as

a blemish and imperfection.

Theme: 'The Birthmark' focuses on the theme of obsession, particularly the moment when

love becomes an obsession, making it dangerous—and even deadly, shown in Aylmer's

obsession with the birthmark and Georgiana's obsession with Aylmer to the point of willing

suicide by poison.

Point of view: third-person-omniscient point of view.

Figurative language:

Personification: Throughout the story, Hawthorne personifies Nature as the creator of all

life and one of Aylmer's enemies.

Simile

“My earthly senses are closing over my spirit like the leaves around the heart of a rose at

sunset”:

“t needed but a glance with the peculiar expression that his face often wore to change the

roses of her cheek into a deathlike paleness, amid which the crimson hand was brought

strongly out, like a bass-relief of ruby on the whitest marble”

Metaphor: “"Watch the stain of the rainbow fading out the sky, and you will know how

that mysterious symbol passed away"

Irony, Symbolism and imagery are often seen.

Symbolisms: The birthmark on the girls checks are the best examples of symbolism.

Feminist approach applies to the story “The Birthmark”

The short story “The Birthmark” is a story written in 1846, were women were suppressed

by man in al forms and senses, even though it is a pretty old story even then there were

women fighting for their rights and trying to make the world more equal, as today this

fights are still real. By seeing how women were fighting for equality to men, Nathaniel

Hawthorne presented Georgiana as a submissive character to her husband in this short

story.

In this quote, Georgiana states that she would rather submit to her husband and get it

removed than to continue to live with it. She has, at this point, become so obsessed with

pleasing her husband that she is willing to do anything even if she dies while getting it

removed. This quote and the others show that women during this time period and even

today are expected to look a certain way whether it be the way they dress or even the way

they present themselves every day. As we can see the feminist approach is completely

present and applicable to this short story, sadly she died to pleased her loved one.