Hello readers, I am writing this blog as a thinking activity given by Dr. Dilip Barad sir, Head of the Department of English, MKBU. Here, I will try to discuss about Feminist Criticism and Marxist Criticism.
Feminist criticism:
What is feminist criticism?:
Feminist criticism is a diverse field of thought that analyses literature and other cultural expressions from a feminist perspective. It seeks to understand how gender roles and power dynamics are represented in texts, and how these representations can influence our perceptions of reality.
Feminist critics often focus on the following areas:
-The portrayal of women in literature and other cultural expressions
-The ways in which gender roles are constructed and reinforced
-The intersections of gender with other forms of oppression, such as race, class, and sexuality
-The ways in which literature and other cultural expressions can be used to challenge sexism and promote gender equality.
History of feminist criticism:
Feminist criticism has its roots in the early 20th century, when feminist scholars began to challenge the traditional male-dominated canon of literature. Early feminist critics such as Virginia Woolf and Simone de Beauvoir argued that women's voices and experiences had been marginalised in literature, and that this had contributed to the perpetuation of gender inequality.
In the 1960s and 1970s, feminist criticism underwent a major revival. This was due in part to the second-wave feminist movement, which was fighting for equal rights for women in all areas of society. Feminist critics during this period focused on a wide range of issues, including the representation of women in popular culture, the ways in which gender roles are constructed in children's literature, and the role of women in the production of literature.
In recent years, feminist criticism has continued to evolve. Feminist critics today are interested in a wide range of topics, including the intersection of gender with other forms of oppression, such as race and class; the representation of queer women and transgender people in literature; and the ways in which digital media is transforming the production and consumption of literature.
Key concepts in feminist criticism:
Patriarchy: A social system in which men have power over women.
Gender roles: The behaviours and expectations that are associated with being a man or a woman in a particular society.
Sexism: Discrimination against women on the basis of their sex.
Misogyny:vHatred of women.
Essentialism: The belief that there are innate differences between men and women.
Constructionism: The belief that gender roles are socially constructed and can be changed.
Examples:
"A Room of One's Own":
Virginia Woolf's essay "A Room of One's Own" is a classic example of feminist criticism. In this essay, Woolf argues that women need economic independence and personal space in order to create art.
"The Second Sex":
Simone de Beauvoir's book "The Second Sex" is another foundational work of feminist criticism. In this book, Beauvoir analyzes the ways in which women are oppressed in society.
'Beloved':
The novel 'Beloved' by Toni Morrison is an example of Afrofeminist criticism. It tells the story of a former slave woman who is haunted by the ghost of her dead daughter. The novel explores the ways in which racism and sexism intersect to oppress black women.
Conclusion:
Feminist criticism is a powerful tool for understanding the ways in which gender roles and power dynamics are represented in literature and other cultural expressions. It can help us to identify and challenge sexism and other forms of oppression, and to promote gender equality.
Marxist Criticism:
Marxist criticism is a literary theory that focuses on the social and economic structures that shape literary texts. It seeks to understand how literature reflects the class struggles and power relations in society, and how it can be used to challenge or reinforce these structures.
Marxist critics believe that literature is not simply a reflection of reality, but also a way of shaping it. They argue that literature can be used to promote the interests of the ruling class, or to challenge the status quo and advocate for social change.
Marxist critics often focus on the ways in which literature represents the relationship between the individual and society. They argue that individuals are shaped by the social and economic forces around them, and that literature can help us to understand these forces and how they can be changed.
Marxist critics also often focus on the role of literature in promoting social change. They believe that literature can be used to raise awareness of social problems, to challenge the status quo, and to inspire people to take action for a better world.
Marxist criticism is a diverse and evolving field. There is no single "correct" Marxist interpretation of any literary text. Instead, Marxist critics offer a variety of perspectives that can help us to understand the text in new and deeper ways.
Key concepts in Marxist criticism:
Class struggle: The conflict between the ruling class (bourgeoisie) and the working class (proletariat).
Exploitation: The process by which the bourgeoisie profits from the labour of the proletariat.
Alienation: The separation of workers from their labour, the products of their labour, and their fellow workers.
Ideology: The system of beliefs and values that supports the interests of the ruling class.
Examples:
'Oliver Twist':
Oliver Twist is a novel by Charles Dickens about a young orphan boy who is forced to work in a workhouse and then in a criminal gang. Marxist critics argue that the novel is a critique of the capitalist system, which exploits workers and creates poverty and inequality.
'Animal Farm':
Animal Farm is a George Orwell political satire about a group of animals who overthrow their human masters and establish a new society. However, the new society quickly becomes corrupt, and the animals are once again oppressed. Marxist critics argue that the novel is a warning about the dangers of totalitarianism.
'Beloved':
Beloved is Toni Morrison's novel about a former slave woman who is haunted by the ghost of her dead daughter. Marxist critics argue that the novel explores the ways in which racism and capitalism intersect to oppress black women.
'Parasite':
Parasite is a South Korean film about a poor family who infiltrates a wealthy family and begins to work for them. Marxist critics argue that the film is a critique of the class system and the ways in which it exploits and marginalises the poor.
Conclusion:
Marxist criticism is a powerful tool for understanding the ways in which literature reflects and shapes social and economic structures. It can help us to identify and challenge exploitation, alienation, and ideology, and to promote social justice.
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