A feminist work is one that reflects upon, and thereby challenges, the various power structures that subtly or overtly shape the behaviors and beliefs of the members of a society, and produce injustice for women. These feminist works take a wide variety of approaches toward exposing these structures and inequalities, but it is not the methods used that categorize literature and films as “feminist.” Rather, it is the underlying idea that there is gender inequality that defines feminist literature and film, at least to me. The scale of the issues tackled by these works varies greatly from one to another, to the point that many of the points seem insignificant to the casual reader or viewer and do not automatically cause him or her to recognize the piece as part of the diverse collection of feminist works. However, whether the author/filmmaker addresses reproductive rights or catcalls, family relations or fashion, no matter how central any of the individual issues are to the plot of the work, it serves to stir the viewer or reader from his or her complacency with the status quo, and perhaps even stir people to take action.
Bravo -- It is important to note that a feminist text will inevitably challenge the traditional structure of power. Always!
ReplyDelete