1. Feminist Lens

2. What Do You See?
The following images are of women in the media at different times and settings. For each describe how the woman is portrayed (iPad notes or on paper).
Consider which images are preferred.
Consider how images have changed over time or why they have.

10. Definition
The Feminist Lens looks at the ways in which texts, or, literature and other cultural productions (like movies, commercials, etc.), reinforce and undermine the economic, political, social, and psychological oppression of women.
Oppression: an unjust or cruel exercise of authority or power.

11. Cultural Attitudes/ Societal Views of Women
Widely accepted attitudes about the traditional gender roles of men and women contribute to the continual oppression of women.
Women are seen as emotional, weak, submissive, and irrational.
Men are seen as strong, rational, decisive, and protective.

12. Feminism is not…
Man-hating.

13. Feminism is…
It is exploring the ways in which attitudes in society about gender oppress women; many branches of feminism also explore the ways in which men are confined by society’s patriarchal gender roles.
Examples for analysis: Men should not cry, men must be strong, men should be white knights, etc.

14. Feminism is…
The idea that a patriarchy portrays behaviors as being bad or unattractive by relating them to female experiences (being “girly”), further oppressing women.
Critical of the idea that a woman needs to rely on a man.
Examples:
Cinderella needed a man in order to escape her peasant lifestyle…
Snow White could only be re-awakened with the kiss from a man. She literally could not live without a man
Ariel from The Little Mermaid…she gave up her identity as a mermaid and her family to be with a man

15. …in addition, feminism shows…
That in order to be attractive to men, women must get in touch with their femininity…that means being less smart, more submissive, and dressing risqué to show off their sex appeal.
Examples???

16. Objectification of Women
Women are constantly objectified in a patriarchal society. Objectifying a woman means viewing them/treating them as an object or commodity to be had, won, or used.
Many books, films, songs, etc objectify women by exploiting their sex appeal.

17. Questions to Consider When Analyzing a Text through a Feminist Lens
What gender stereotypes are present in the novel? How do these stereotypes reinforce patriarchal values in society?
How does the author challenge gender stereotypes and traditional gender roles?
What words are used to describe the male and female characters? What language of patriarchy is present in the novel?