2.   There are myriad things to notice and comment upon in any text.  Literary (critical) lenses focus our vision, drawing our attention to one specific aspect of a text  The feminist lens looks with a critical eye at a work’s portrayal of gender as it relates to power and identity. Looking through the lens…

3.   Social criticism is intrinsically tied to feminist readings—your role as a feminist critic is to interrogate the norms surrounding gender, to notice injustice, and to point out the ways that characters move to fit the “Tetris pieces” of society’s gender expectations into their lives. Your own social commentary…

4.   It is also your job (in a non-obvious way) to portray your approval or condemnation of a text based on feminist ideals. For example, a feminist analysis of Lucie Manette would likely be very critical of Dickens. On the other hand, Sophocles could be praised for Antigone … but he could also be condemned for it… depends on your argument.  P.S. Twilight is a feminist’s WORST NIGHTMARE. The Underworld series, on the other hand, would be highly acceptable as a vampire/werewolf alternative. (As long as you’re allowed to watch R-rated movies, of course!)  Your opinion about whether the work is successful or not in a feminist context should not be obvious—it will just sort of “seep out” of your writing. Evaluate

5.  Feminist Win / Feminist Fail  Everybody wanna try to box me in Suffocating everytime it locks me in Paint they own pictures, then they crop me in But I will remain where the top begins Cause I am not a word, I am not a line I am not a girl that can ever be defined I am not fly, I am levitation I represent an entire generation I hear the criticism loud and clear That is how I know that the time is near So we become alive in a time of fear And I ain’t got no mothaf----g time to spare Cry my eyes out for days upon days Such a heavy burden placed upon me But when you go hard your nays become yays Yankee Stadium with Jay’s and Kanye’s I came to win, to fight, to conquer, to thrive I came to win, to survive, to prosper, to rise To fly Drew walks by me Can he tell that I can't breathe? And there he goes, so perfectly The kind of flawless I wish I could be She better hold him tight Give him all her love Look in those beautiful eyes And know she's lucky 'cause He's the reason for the teardrops on my guitar The only thing that keeps me wishing on a wishing star He's the song in the car I keep singing Don't know why I do So I drive home alone As I turn out the light I'll put his picture down And maybe get some sleep tonight He's the time taken up but there's never enough And he's all that I need to fall into Drew looks at me I fake a smile so he won't see

6.  Watching characters Males  How do they define, choose, and participate in family/platonic/romantic/ sexual relationships?  Do they exert power over women, either against their will or with consent?  Are they trapped within the social idea of masculinity? Are they “manly”?  Do they recognize oppression? Do they resist it? Females  How do they define, choose, and participate in family/platonic/romantic/ sexual relationships?  What are their ambitions?  How intelligent/talented are they? How do they use gifts?  Do they recognize oppression? Do they resist it?  Do they have power? In what way(s)? Is it equal/fair?  Are they important?

7.   Men have their own inconveniences and pain resulting from stringent gender expectations.  Many men wish to overturn the idea of patriarchy just as much as women do. Remember, it’s not always about the ladies…

8.   The author is the mastermind behind the story, and the real game-changer. The characters are mere pawns with which to communicate the author’s vision.  What does the story as a whole say about the author’s views on gender roles? Look for motifs, symbols, metaphors, social commentary, and attitude.  Does the author paint a gender-role-transforming character’s outcome as tragic or successful? This will color the reader’s perception of gender within the story, and reveal the author’s true leanings. Watching the author