Describe Feminism And Existing Attitudes Towards Women

Feminism
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Feminism
Feminist literature is understood as non-fiction or fiction writing that is in support of the feminist objectives which seek to define, establish and defend equal social, economic, political and civil rights for women. Female characters in feminism literature are presented as agents. This type of literature, as Sanders (32) pointed out, was born of the need to convey unfairness, inequality, as well as a need for change. This writing, which mostly occurred in France, Britain and the United States in the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, has had a significant impact as a change agent. In addition, feminist literature has left a lasting legacy for women. This paper discusses feminist literature and how it affects common day literature.
Feminist literature addresses existing attitudes towards women within the society and pertinent political issues. It also tries to break down gender-specific misapprehensions. In general, it is not limited across religion or culture, and therefore there is a wide array of topics ranging from religion to the institution of marriage, race and politics among other topics (Barcan 14). It is worth mentioning that feminist literature depicts ideas or characters that try to alter gender norms. This form of literature examines, questions, and argues for change against old-fashioned and time-honoured gender roles by means of written word. It seeks to change inequalities between men and women across political and societal arenas. It also strives to add a unique and usually ignored feminine-specific voice and tone to political, societal, and gender matters, in addition to social inequalities in which a feminine voice is required in order to make an impact (Sifaki 112).
Feminism itself, and the feminist literature that gives voice to feminism, have continued to evolve over the centuries in expression, intent, as well as meaning across social, moral and political arenas in what has been categorized as the 3 waves of feminism. The 1st Wave Feminism started from late 18th century to early 20th century. Female authors such as Mary Wollstonecraft underscore the inequalities between men and women. The 2nd Wave Feminism started in the 1960s and ended in the 1970s. Authors such as Elaine Showalter and Simone de Beauvoir developed the foundation for the dissemination of feminist theories (Barcan 15). The 3rd Wave Feminism began in the 1990s and still continues to this day. It borrows from the contemporary and post-structural theories on race and gender to expound the experiences of marginalized populations. Novelists such as Alice Walker seek to reconcile feminism with the concerns of African Americans, as well as the wholeness and survival of her people, both women and men. They also work to promote dialog and to valorise women and all the sorts of work that they do (Sifaki 113).
Feminist literature of the 17th to 20th centuries affects common day literature in different ways. Female writers such as George Eliot, Bronte sisters, Jane Austen, Virginia Woolf, Alice Walker, Mary W...