Paper 5 Women in Literature

1. Paper 5Women in Literature A learner’s summary An examination guide

2. Areas of Focus • You could be asked the following: • Writer’s presentation / treatment of thematic concerns / issues relevant to the topic paper • Importance of stylistic features in the rep. of women (e.g. structure, imagery/symbolism, setting, dramatic methods & effects for plays) • Characterisation & Role of Women • Contribution / Significance of a particular section of text • Reader / Audience Response – how a text engages you in the rep. of women & their experiences?

3. Skills for Paper 5 • Identify the thematic issues relevant to ‘Women in Literature’ • Develop an author’s presentation of thematic issues through detailed textual analysis: • select appropriate textual ref. and range • identify key literary features / techniques • analyse the effects of literary techniques and language use • explain how effects are significant / important in developing issues

4. Compare and contrast texts • Identify ‘big-picture’ issues seen in both texts • Analyse how writers are similar / different in presenting ‘big-picture’ issues - Identify common literary features / techniques used by writers - Develop differences in effects - Explain how differences in effect lead to writers’ having different presentations of ‘big-picture’ issues - Think: Whose presentation is more / less …? - Signpost comparison – However, On the other hand, While / Although … • Move between texts with ease

5. Evaluating • Shape an opinion in response to a prompt quotation in qn • Provide an informed personal response to what you’ve read: - effects of language use: impact & success in conveying key concerns - interest in issues presented - how reflective of human condition

6. Setting Questions • Questions could be worded in these ways: a) Compare and contrast / Compare the ways … b) Discuss / Consider / Examine … c) In what ways and with what effects? • In what ways and how effectively? • How far do you agree? • How helpful do you find this view?

7. Characterisation & Significance of Women in Literary Texts • No character sketches at this level • Characterisation strategies in rep. women in M/F & F/F relationships • Significance of women to larger thematic issues of the text – role & place of character in text? Any gender bias?

8. Characterisation Strategies 1. Character action / behaviour – dressing, manner 2. Narrative description & commentary (in novels) 3. Insight into the character’s psyche & attitudes 4. Multiple viewpoints • how a character sees herself & others • how other characters see her • how the omniscient narrator (in a novel) sees her • Reader / audience (for a play) response 5. Contrasts & Parallels btwn char. 6. Naming 7. Setting

9. 7. Construction of gendered voice (esp. in dialogue) • How do writers differentiate the ways women & men speak? - emotional language (female) vs. rational, objective language (male) • Any pattern of words / images with gender connotations or conventional assoc. with one sex? For what purpose? • How far, and with what effects, do writers break away from the conventional female/male styles of speech?

10. 8. Gender & Viewpoint • Gender of narrator – textual cues? Any gender bias in the presentation of women char.? • Targeted reader – male or female? Why do you think so? • Which character’s viewpoint is dominant and which are marginalised? Any voices silenced? Male or female? Significance?

11. Significance of Women Char. • Role and place of women in text? Major or minor? • Does character play a symbolic role in rep. key thematic ideas? A structural device as foil / parallel to other characters? • Does she echo or break away from conventional gender roles and stereotypes? Any alternatives offered? • Is she a rep. of a particular ‘type’ of woman?

12. Virgin-maiden / bride Mother figure Madonna – virgin mother Angel of the House Obedient daughter Heroine New Woman Whore Mistress figure Eve – the mother of fallen humankind Magdalen – fallen woman Femme Fatale Shrew Madwoman / Hysteric Witch Victim ‘Types’ of Women How do writers present and/or challenge these received images of women?

13. Key Issues 1. Women’s attitudes towards their roles in: - Courtship (as lover) - Marriage (as wife) - Family (as mother, daughter) - Work - possible conflict with the traditional role of woman as wife & mother? - How far can women challenge / redefine their experiences in these roles and in their own terms?

14. Sex & Sexuality – its significance in woman’s identity and place in relations of love & marriage • How, and to what success, do authors present sex? • How convincingly can a writer represent the sexual desires of a woman? • Sexual politics – power dynamics btwn men & women?

15. Women’s aspiration for independence • How patriarchy oppresses women • Influences of other social forces: - Social Class - Religion - Relations with patriarchy? • Women’s resistance to patriarchal culture – how successful? And at what cost?

16. Setting Questions • Questions could be worded in these ways: a) Compare and contrast / Compare the ways … b) Discuss / Consider / Examine … c) In what ways and with what effects? • In what ways and how effectively? • How far do you agree? • How helpful do you find this view?