How to Identify Feminism in Literature

Feminist themes and theory abound in both classical and contemporary literature. Elements of feminism in novels, short stories, plays, poetry and essays are apparent to the trained eye. The guidelines below examine how to identify feminism in literature.

Instructions

1. Check out a guide book on feminism in literature. Two good ones are "Literature and Feminism: An Introduction" by Pam Morris and "The Feminist Companion to Literature in English: Women Writers from the Middle Ages to the Present" edited by Virginia Blain, Patricia Clements and Isobel Grundy (see Resources below).

2. Look for classic feminist themes in literature including women's suffrage, equal economic rights and reproductive rights. Read critically for how these issues are treated in a particular piece of literature. Note whether the tone is pro-feminist, anti-feminist or neutral.

3. Consider the treatment of female subjects in all forms of literature. Note whether the females are presented as protagonists, antagonists or both. Examine the dimensions of women in the work to discover whether they are presented as true complex characters or simple stereotypes.

4. Examine the roles of female characters in literature. Do the women readily embrace traditional roles? Do they accept patriarchal society or rail against it? Look closely at the actions of women in literature including how they express themselves, what courses of action they choose and how they deal with the consequences of their actions.

5. Compare the writings of male and female authors. Look at one representative piece from a male and another from a female on the same topic and consider their similarities and differences. How do the attitudes conveyed in the works differ or do they differ at all? Comparisons of writings by both genders can alert you to the feminist elements in one or both, should they be present.

6. Look at classical feminist works such as Mary Wollstonecraft's "A Vindication of the Rights of Women" and Betty Friedan's "The Feminine Mystique" (see Resources below). The subject matter is predominantly feminist based, so the reading of these will help you identify feminism in other literature that is not so explicitly feminist.

Tips & Warnings

• Read short stories when first learning to identify feminism in literature rather than novels or complicated essays.

• Don't limit yourself to "serious" works of literature when looking for feminism. Such genres as comedy, science fiction and romance often contain feminist elements as well.

Resources

• Literature and Feminism: An Introduction
• The Feminist Companion to Literature in English: Women Writers from the Middle Ages to the Present
• A Vindication of the Rights of Women
• The Feminine Mystique