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How to write a feminist analysis

John Michael Mumme , Cammy Sray , James Sandberg, & the CU Writing Center present:. How to write a feminist analysis. “Feminism”: leave the connotations at the door  Has nothing to do with political stance: dealing with facts, and then you interpret the facts.

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How to write a feminist analysis

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  1. John Michael Mumme, CammySray, James Sandberg, & the CU Writing Center present: How to write a feminist analysis

  2. “Feminism”: leave the connotations at the door  • Has nothing to do with political stance: dealing with facts, and then you interpret the facts. • Lens allows us to look specifically at experience of women. • Why a useful lens? • As people… • As English students… • As Christians… Using Feminist criticism vs being a feminist

  3. Gender studies • Feminist theory • Patriarchy • Male role • Female role • Purpose of feminist analysis: • A writer of a feminist analysis intends to closely examine how male dominance and female powerlessness manifest themselves in specific aspects of society through a text. Feminism– a branch of theory

  4. Critical Theory Today: A User Friendly Guide by Lois Tyson • Patriarchy:“any culture that privileges men by promoting traditional gender roles.” • What are traditional gender roles? • Men: “rational, strong, protective, and decisive” • Women: “emotional (irrational), weak, nurturing and submissive” A specific feminist theory: patriarchy

  5. The re-articulation of power through institutional practice • Economic • Political • What are the implications of patriarchy? • Men are empowered, women are powerless • Feminist contention: Men inflate and abuse their power so women are defined in convenient terms for men • Woman- no financial/political power to define herself Patriarchy (con’t)

  6. Institution Traditional gender roles • Family • Religion • Government • Education • Military • Workforce • Sports • Fashion/dress • Head vs. supporter • Head of church vs. workers/supporters • Political leaders vs. secretary • Generals/soldiers vs. victims/observers/ nurses • CEO vs. secretary • “Field leader” quarterback vs. Cheerleaders/eye candy • Freedom vs. restriction, simple vs. ornate How has patriarchy operated in institutions throughout history?

  7. “Othering” • False consciousness • Traditional gender roles • Patriarchal masculinity • Patriarchal femininity • LOTS of binaries! • Rational vs. irrational; dominating vs. submissive; public domain vs. domestic realm; provider/protector vs. caretaker/mother; strong vs. gentle/weak • Verbs for female: transgress/subvert/defy OR succumb/submit/conform. • What happens to patriarchy: Entrenched or destabilized? Reinforced? By whom? Feminist jargon…

  8. Intro: General tension and thesis • Tension will stem from some aspect of patriarchy in the text • Thesis: what is author saying about tension? • Resolve/lack of resolve? Character transgress/submit? • Body: Integrate feminist theory with literary devices • Organize paragraphs by literary device/chronology/order of thesis • Weave in feminist theory as you go along, defining terms as you delve into each device. • Use feminist jargon appropriately and in context • Conclusion Format of Feminist Analysis (DR. WILFONG)

  9. Intro: General tension and thesis (same specifics as other format) • Body 1:Explanation of theory or lens you will use to analyze the work (ex. Patriarchal masculinity) (cite outside sources) • Body 2: How this theory operated in a specific time in history (should be the historical timeframe that coincides the time/setting of the text) (cite outside sources) • Body 3: Engage the text! • Integrate feminist theory and history with literary devices and harness toward thesis • Conclusion • Ask your professor which format he/she prefers!! Another form (DR. DEARDORFF)

  10. One Example: Snow White. • Discuss: Does Snow White operate under patriarchal gender roles? Why or why not? • Unpack plot/characters and apply feminist jargon A goldmine of patriarchy: disney fairytales!!

  11. What kind of thesis can we make for a feminist “reading” of Snow White? • Remember specifics of feminist thesis: • Find tension that stems from patriarchy • What is the author saying about that tension? • Further discussion: What other popular movies have similar patriarchal overtones? Practice constructing a thesis…

  12. Don’t forget… • Your argument functions the same as NC analysis in that you • Pinpoint specific literary devices • Interpret those literary devices and harness them toward supporting your thesis • Your feminist analysis differs from a NC analysis in that you will • Use feminist theory to shed light on the meaning • Intertwine feminist jargon/definitions in your interpretation of literary devices Wrapping up…

  13. Remember: Writing style and grammar count. Hugely. • Write OUTLINES or POST-OUTLINES. • Write MULTIPLE rough drafts. • Be clear. Be fluent. • Use strong, precise verbs in active voice • Be specific as you discuss feminist theory. • Be specific as you connect the feminist theory to the text itself. • Conclusion • Tie the importance of the work as a feminist piece to real life Final tips…

  14. MWF, 1-5 p.m. T/Th, 12:30-5 p.m. M-TH, 7-11 p.m. 2 half-hour sessions per week (on different days) OR extended consultations (1 hour!) once per week for students writing any paper in LIT 2090 And the writing center can help! 

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