1. Gender Inequality in Literature
Feminist Criticism
Gender Inequality in Literature

2. Feminism Men have much more power in Western society than they should.
Males seek to keep their power through brute force, domineering behavior (both sexual and psychological), and making women seem weaker mentally and emotionally.

3. Examples/Common Stereotypes
Male sports tend to use female stereotypes to shame players into action.
Calling men by women’s names; implying their actions are female (cry like a girl; don’t be a sissy)
Females are often portrayed as weak and needing male protection, even when women are writing.
Females are stereotyped as overly emotional and unstable; therefore, unfit to do things men do.

4. More Examples/Common Stereotypes
Women are so hormonally handicapped, that their intellects are clouded and their judgments and decisions should always be questioned.
Women can’t drive, shop all the time, care more about material goods than anything.
Women are great nurturers but aren’t tough enough to do what needs to be done. That’s what men are for.
Get the idea?

5. Examining Feminism in Literature
Look for situations where men take advantage of women, victimize them or simply are seen as superior to them.
Figure out if this was intentional because the author is male or is it only the situation itself that needs to be examined.
Either way, the analysis should include: What the man or men did that was wrong, why it was wrong and what the woman needed to do to correct it, if it’s realistically possible. In cases of violent crime, being prepared may not have been enough, but in cases of sexual harassment, the woman may have had options like going to her boss or suing the company.

6. Examining Feminism in Literature
At times, especially in the past, woman did not have a choice and this should be examined as part of a system-wide problem that women were forced to both overcome and endure.
It’s everything you know about racial inequality and reform, but we are dealing with gender, not ethnicity (though that can play a part in some circumstances).