Page 286 - DENG501_LITERARY_CRITICISM_AND_THEORIES

Literary Criticism and Theories

Notes 25.3 The Quality of Gynocriticism

Compared with French feminist criticism, the gynocriticism was not so thoughtful. However, the
quality of gynocritical study is also very significant. That is, their great attention to the real world.
They always bear the intention of considering the historical and social elements in their study of
literary works in mind. Though we emphasize that feminist criticism should raise their theoretical
level, the feminist critics should still carry on this study quality. Only in this way, can feminist
criticism develop in the right direction.
Self-Assessment
Choose the correct options
1. The Chief pioneers of Gynocriticism is
(a) Elain Showlater (b) Virginia Woolf
(c) Simone de Behauvior (d) None of these
2. Sexual politics was written by
(a) Kate Millet (b) Mary Ellmann (c) Juliet Mitchell (d) None of these
3. A Room of one’s own published in
(a) 1920 (b) 1929 (c) 1930 (d) 1935

25.4 Summary

• Gynocriticism is the transitional period of feminist criticism, especially the Anglo-American
feminist criticism.
• This special status entrusts gynocriticism complex study method, object, and quality; also
leads abundant theoretical achievement.
• The feminist critics of gynocriticism form their own peculiar study style, and a connecting
link between the first phase led by Virginia Woolf and the third phase mixing with
psychoanalysis and post-structuralism.
• It has great contribution to the developing of feminist criticism in many aspects. That is what
we try to find out in this paper.
25.5 Key-Words

1. Feminist criticism : Feminist criticism seeks on the one hand to investigate and analyze the
differing representations of women and men in literary texts and, on
the other hand, to rethink literary history by exploring an often
marginalized tradition of women’s writing. Feminist criticism is
concerned to question and challenge conventional notions of masculinity
and femininity; to explore ways in which such conventions are inscribed
in a largely patriarchal canon; and to consider the extent to which
writing, language and even literary form itself are themselves bound
up with issues of gender difference.

25.6 Review Questions

1. Discuss of the concept of Gynocriticism.
2. What are the contribution of Grynocriticism? Explain.
3. Explain the theoretical achievement of Gynocriticism.

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