Working with Feminist Criticism

Using the concepts and practices of feminist literary criticism, this constantly challenging workbook not only makes the connection between women's writing and women's lives but breaks new ground in enabling students to apply critical concepts and to feel more at ease with the texts common to feminist literary theory.

Acknowledgments vi

Introduction 1

Speech and Silence 16

Defining a Feminist Text 32

Creating a Matrilineage 37

The Woman Author: Lost and Found 49

The Death of a Woman Author? 65

Gender and Genre 77

Feminism and Genre Fiction 91

Feminist Publishing 105

Feminist Reading 119

Feminist Criticisms 135

Patriarchal Binary Thought 146

Gender Play 158

Feminine Writing and Reading 172

Finding the Subject 189

The Politics of Location 208

Conclusion 219

Works Cited 221

Index 234

"Working with Feminist Criticism is both a guide to understanding and using feminist criticism and also a valuable source book for simple classroom exercises and for wider reading. This is not a daunting tome, but a fantastic source of ideas for the teacher of more advanced English language. It is also a worthwhile addition to the bookshelves of anyone with an interest in criticism and a passion for reading." Vatime Newsletter.

"Working with Feminist Criticism is an invaluable resource for students coming to feminist literary criticism for the first time. However, it contains lots of useful and illuminating ideas that could be taken up by more experienced students." Caroline Guerin University of Adelaide.

Mary Eagleton is Senior Lecturer in English and Women's Studies at the University College of Ripon and York St John. She has been closely involved in the development of feminist criticism and Women's Studies and is known for her contributions to this field. She is the editor of Feminist Literary Theory: A Reader (second edition 1995, Blackwell Publishers) and author of Feminist Literary Criticism. Using the concepts and practices of feminist literary criticism, this constantly challenging workbook not only makes the connection between women's writing and women's lives but breaks new ground in enabling students to apply critical concepts and to feel more at ease with the texts common to feminist literary theory. Based on extraordinarily wide-ranging material gathered over many years by the UK's leading specialist, the workbook embodies the best of current teaching in this field.

The emphasis throughout the workbook is on taking the reader more deeply into the issues raised, rather than on finding "correct" answers. Active participation is stimulated as the reader is asked to investigate, discuss and evaluate the exciting and representative texts presented by the author. Each clearly-focused section:

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• engages the reader with direct questions and specific tasks.
  
• provides a rich variety of materials and approaches.
  
  
• includes suggestions for further reading and research.

Working with Feminist Criticism will be essential reading for students of Literary Theory, Women's Studies and Cultural Studies and an indispensable tool for teachers. Integrated into taught courses, it will provide an excellent basis for seminar discussion and small group activities.