FEMINISM

Some roots of prejudice against women: Aristotle's idea that the male is by nature superior and the female inferior. Biblical statement of the fall from Eden blamed on Eve. St. Augustine and other religious leaders dictating that women are spiritually weak, sensual creatures that tempt men away from spiritual truths. Darwin's theory that sees women as a past and lower state of civilization. Early feminist voices: Mary Wollstonecraft's A vindication of the Rights of Women (1972): …

…amp;amp;eacute;criture feminine) Questions for a feminist criticism: 1.Is the author male or female? 2.Is the narrator male or female? 3.What role(s) do women play in the text? 4.Are the female characters primary or secondary? 5.Are there any stereotypical characterizations of women? 6.What are the attitudes toward women held by male characters? 7.What is the author's attitude to women in society? 8.Do female characters speak often? How often, compared to male characters?