Sexual And Textual Politics Feminist Literary Theory

In her book Sexual/Textual Politics: Feminist Literary Theory, Toril Moi writes that a feminist author must show a truthful picture of women and that reality and experience are among the most essential factors in feminist writing (Moi 4, 7, 45). These factors occur in Annie John. For example, the main character s experience with her first menstruation is described very realistically -- her feelings of shame, her pain, the uncomfortable sensation of a wet cloth between her legs (Annie 51, 52). The author also describes the changes of Annie s body during her puberty -- but not only the features described in non-feminist novels such as growing taller and more beautiful, or having larger breasts. Kincaid mentions the fact that Annie s smell has changed and that hairs have grown at various parts of her body. Moreover, the author deals with Annie s feelings about these changes of her body (Annie 25). In the novel, we can find many examples of gender stereotypes and female discrimination. Annie s mother, for example, is a housewife, economically dependent on her husband, who works as a carpenter and earns money (Annie 15). Also, in the society described in the novel, it is generally accepted that a man is promiscuous, but all the women mentioned have hadShow MoreRelatedEssay about The Introduction of Feminist Criticism1815 Words   |  8 PagesSuch literary women as Austin, Bront#235;s, Eliot and Dickenson appeared that time. In the early 20th century, women finally gained the suffrage which marked the climax of the womens liberation movement. In the 1960s, New Feminism concerned with the human rights for black people again came to its climax. This time, it was more pervasive and comprehensive in all fields of society, according feminist literary criticism found its way to critical theories. 2. 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