Feminist Literary Studies
An Introduction

K. K. Ruthven looks at the impact of Marxism, structuralism, and post-structuralism on feminist critical practice.

K. K. Ruthven (Author)

9780521398527, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 13 September 1990

164 pages
21.3 x 13.5 x 1.3 cm, 0.22 kg

' … a stimulating book … wide-ranging in the light of its modest claim to be an introduction to its subject.' The Times Higher Education Supplement

The rise of feminism is undeniably one of the major events in the development of literary criticism this century. Feminist approaches have pushed forward both the theory of literary criticism and the understanding of individual works of literature. K. K. Ruthven's lucid introduction to the subject offers a broad survey, looking at the impact of Marxism, structuralism, and post-structuralism on feminist critical practice; the argument that literary language has been shaped by masculine bias; and feminist claims for distinctive styles and traditions of women's writing. As a lively contribution written by a man to a highly controversial topic dominated by women, K. K. Ruthven's study is original and even provocative, but above all serves as a valuably clear and sympathetic guide to the complexities of an important issue in modern literary studies.

Preface
1. The gendering of critical discourse
2. Constructing feminist theories of criticism
3. Dismantling androcentric assumptions
4. Gynocritics
Notes
Select bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Literary studies: general [DSB]