The importance of language and representation in literature, such as the use of gendered language and how it reinforces or challenges gender norms.
Patriarchy: The systemic oppression of women and marginalized genders perpetuated by patriarchal structures in society.
Sexism: Prejudice or discrimination based on gender, typically against women.
Gender roles: Social expectations and norms for behavior and appearance based on a person's perceived gender.
Intersectionality: The interconnected nature of social categories and identities, such as race, gender, class, and sexuality, and how they combine to produce unique experiences of privilege or oppression.
Stereotypes: Overgeneralized and often negative assumptions made about a group based on their perceived identity.
Objectification: Treating a person as an object or commodity, commonly seen in the sexualization of women.
Body image: Societal expectations and pressures around physical appearance, particularly for women.
Representation: The portrayal of individuals and groups in media and literature, and the impact it has on social beliefs and attitudes.
Language and power: The ways in which language can be used to assert or challenge power dynamics and hierarchies.
Femininity/masculinity: Socially constructed concepts of what it means to be feminine or masculine, and how they impact individuals’ experiences and interactions with others.
Feminist Criticism: This is a type of literary analysis that focuses on how gender influences the way literature is written and interpreted. Feminist criticism aims to expose and challenge patriarchal attitudes and biases in literature.
Intersectional Feminism: This is a type of feminist theory that recognizes and addresses the overlapping and intersecting systems of oppression that affect different groups of people. Intersectional feminists acknowledge the ways in which race, class, gender, sexuality, and other factors intersect and shape our experiences.
Queer Theory: This is a type of literary theory that examines representations of sexuality and gender in literature. Queer theory challenges heteronormative assumptions and seeks to understand the ways in which sexuality and gender are constructed and performed.
Postcolonial Feminism: This is a type of feminist theory that examines the ways in which colonialism and imperialism have shaped gender relations and women's experiences. Postcolonial feminists critique the ways in which Western feminism has historically excluded women of color and women from the global South.
Ecofeminism: This is a type of feminist theory that explores the connections between environmental degradation and patriarchy. Ecofeminists argue that the domination and exploitation of nature is linked to the domination and exploitation of women.
Cyberfeminism: This is a type of feminist theory that examines the ways in which technology and the internet are shaping gender relations and women's experiences. Cyberfeminists argue that the digital space provides new opportunities for feminist activism and expression.
Chicana Feminism: This is a type of feminist theory that focuses on the experiences of Chicana women, who are often marginalized both as women and as members of the Chicano/Latino community. Chicana feminists seek to challenge both patriarchy and racism in order to empower Chicana women.