Critical Theory
Choose 2 theories from Semester 1 and highlight the advantages and disadvantages of the theories’ application.
In this essay two theories will be examined in regards to their advantages and disadvantages, when applied. For this, Feminism and Post-Colonialism will be used, as both theories unite in their aim to deconstruct the dominant ideologies and stereotypes in a patriarchal and imperialistic ‘white European male ’ dominated society, thus overthrowing centuries of colonization, subordination, marginalization and exploitation
Feminists seek to reconstruct decrepit ideas of femininity, and extinguish female oppression over the years. Feminist literary criticism, in the first and seconds waves, critique patriarchal language, by exposing how these reflect masculine ideology. It examines the gender politics and pre-conditioned, constructed sex role stereotypes, while making us aware of marginalizing, inequality and the underlying dominant discourse prevailing in literature as early as the tale of Adam and Eve.
In short, Post Colonialism is the rebellion of a once colonized society. They reject conventional norms and study the political, socio economic and psychological effects of Europe’s domination.
‘’West Indian novelist George Lamming expresses in a personal manner the way in which
‘Eurocentric assumptions about race, nationality and literature return time and again to haunt the production of post- colonial writing’’- The Colonial Reader.
Through the use of both theories, what are known as the classic ‘canonical’ texts. ie. Noun. a list of writings, esp. sacred writings, officially recognized as genuine – Collins dictionary (6) will be critically examined, to identify the advantages and disadvantages of both theories in application.
By challenging sex role stereotypes such critics have forced us to review the nature of our perceptions and in doing so effectively highlighted that gender is a social construct and did not develop inherently.
In this essay two theories will be examined in regards to their advantages and disadvantages, when applied. For this, Feminism and Post-Colonialism will be used, as both theories unite in their aim to deconstruct the dominant ideologies and stereotypes in a patriarchal and imperialistic ‘white European male ’ dominated society, thus overthrowing centuries of colonization, subordination, marginalization and exploitation
Feminists seek to reconstruct decrepit ideas of femininity, and extinguish female oppression over the years. Feminist literary criticism, in the first and seconds waves, critique patriarchal language, by exposing how these reflect masculine ideology. It examines the gender politics and pre-conditioned, constructed sex role stereotypes, while making us aware of marginalizing, inequality and the underlying dominant discourse prevailing in literature as early as the tale of Adam and Eve.
In short, Post Colonialism is the rebellion of a once colonized society. They reject conventional norms and study the political, socio economic and psychological effects of Europe’s domination.
‘’West Indian novelist George Lamming expresses in a personal manner the way in which
‘Eurocentric assumptions about race, nationality and literature return time and again to haunt the production of post- colonial writing’’- The Colonial Reader.
Through the use of both theories, what are known as the classic ‘canonical’ texts. ie. Noun. a list of writings, esp. sacred writings, officially recognized as genuine – Collins dictionary (6) will be critically examined, to identify the advantages and disadvantages of both theories in application.
By challenging sex role stereotypes such critics have forced us to review the nature of our perceptions and in doing so effectively highlighted that gender is a social construct and did not develop inherently.
Bibliography: Bronte, Charlotte, Villette, (Penguin Books, 1985) Conrad, Joseph, Heart of Darkness, ed Eagleton, Mary (ed.), Feminist Literary Theory: A Reader, (Basil Blackwell, 1986) ‘Feminist Debates and Readings of Villette, Wide Saragossa Sea and Showalter, Elaine, A Literature of their own: from Charlotte Bronte to Doris Lessing, (Virago Press, 1977) Showalter, Elaine, "The Feminist Critical Revolution", in Elaine Showalter (ed.), The New Feminist Criticism: Essays on Women, Literature and Theory, (Virago Press, 1986) M Woolfe, Virginia. A room of ones own,Four.e.books@Adelaide.18/11/2012 Woolf, Virginia, A Room of one 's own, (Harvester, 1981)