A Feminist Criticism of Dickens Great Expectations Essay

A Feminist Criticism of Dickens Great Expectations Of all the modern theories that are embraced under the umbrella-term of `critical Theory, feminist criticism is undoubtedly the most agreeable to apply. Drawing on notions and theories from psychoanalytical criticism, post-structuralism, deconstruction, and Marxist criticism, it seeks to bring to light the inequality between the sexes in literature, and how our entire social ideology is in fact structured according to `the male gaze. As Barry points out in Beginning Theory, the representation of women in literature ...provided the role models which indicated to women, and men, what constituted acceptable versions of the `feminine and legitimate†¦show more content†¦Elements from all of the mentioned feminist critique approaches can help illustrate the social constraints and stereotypes that permeate the novel, and will enable us to observe how Dickens own view of women helped to manifest such strictly antithetical female characters. Dickens women fall into clear categories - they either willingly undertake their `dutiful domestic duties, very much in line with traditional Victorian values at the time - or rebel against it, and are thus depicted as almost villainous. A prime example is the depiction of Mrs Joe. Her constant abuse and violence toward Pip and her husband is the complete antithesis to Dickens archetypal female ideal. Mrs Joe alienates the reader through her lack of compassion and love for the young Pip, and Dickens thus creates in the mind of the reader a dislike for deviation from the domestic role. There are many references to her disagreeable nature, particularly in herShow MoreRelatedFeminist Criticism Of Great Expectations1190 Words   |  5 PagesFeminist Criticism of Great Expectations The correct portrayal of women in literature is highly significant as women have been marginalized throughout history. Although Charles Dickens wrote powerful and dominant female characters in his novel Great Expectations, Dickens’ portrayal of female strength is unsympathetic considering the period when he wrote this novel. During the Victorian Era, women never had dominance in situations and had less rights than men. In this case, Dickens alienated theRead MoreNothing1505 Words   |  7 Pagescentres on the very idea of class. Not only does the novel concern itself with what class the characters belong to, but also by what means, or means of production, each character gained their status. 2. Attempt A Feminist Reading of â€Å"Wuthering Heights.† Ans. :- The feminist criticism is perhaps the perspective that best applies to  WutheringHeights. For one, any personal possessions of a woman goes straight to the husband once she marries. 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