Barbara Smith
Toward a Black
Feminist Criticism
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Barbara Smith, a prominent figure in Black
feminism, has received significant recognition and
acclaim within the literary community for her
contributions to feminist theory and activism. Her
essay "Toward a Black Feminist Criticism" is
regarded as a seminal work that has played a
crucial role in the development of Black feminist
criticism.
Presentation By Dr. Cecilia Osyanju
Barbara Smith, a prominent figure in Black feminism, has received significant recognition
and acclaim within the literary community for her contributions to feminist theory and
activism. Her essay "Toward a Black Feminist Criticism" is regarded as a seminal work that
has played a crucial role in the development of Black feminist criticism.
Toward a Black Feminist Criticism
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Black Women: Shaping
Feminist Theory
Understanding Criticism
The act of judging, evaluating, or analyzing literary or
artistic works, dramatic or musical performances, or
similar creations, with the goal of determining their
merits and demerits
Criticism refers to the act of judging, evaluating, or analyzing literary or artistic works,
dramatic or musical performances, or similar creations, with the goal of determining their
merits and demerits.
A critic is someone who expresses opinions about the good and bad qualities of books,
music, theater, visual arts, and so forth.
Criticism involves:
- Judging the merits and demerits of creative works.
- Expressing unfavorable opinions when necessary.
- Evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of a particular piece or performance.
- Providing constructive feedback to improve future works.
Professional critics may write reviews for newspapers, magazines, websites, or other
media platforms, sharing their thoughts on cultural productions with a wide audience.
However, anyone can be a critic, as everyone is entitled to form their own opinions about
the works they encounter[2 ].
Examples of criticism include book reviews, film reviews, music reviews, and theater
reviews, where professionals and amateurs alike analyze and comment on the quality of
the respective works.
Critics play an essential role in shaping public perception and guiding audiences toward
high-quality content. They also provide creators with valuable feedback to enhance their
craft.
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Toward a Black Feminist Criticism
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Black Women: Shaping
Feminist Theory
What is Feminist
Criticism?
Feminist literary criticism is a school of thought that
analyzes literature through the lens of feminist theory,
focusing on the representation of gender, power
dynamics, and social structures within literary works.
Key aspects of feminist criticism include:
Intersectionality
Reinterpretation
Rediscovery
Social Critique
Feminist Criticism
Feminist literary criticism is a school of thought that analyzes literature through the lens
of feminist theory, focusing on the representation of gender, power dynamics, and social
structures within literary works.
It seeks to critique and challenge the patriarchal norms and biases present in literature,
aiming to uncover and address issues related to gender inequality and stereotypes.
Key aspects of feminist literary criticism include:
- Intersectionality: Examining how gender intersects with other identities such as race,
class, and sexuality in literature.
- Reinterpretation: Reevaluating canonical works to reveal how gender stereotypes and
biases influence their portrayal of characters and themes.
- Rediscovery: Bringing attention to works by women authors that have been historically
overlooked or marginalized in literary studies.
- Social Critique: Analyzing how literature reflects and perpetuates societal norms and
power structures related to gender.
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Feminist literary criticism has evolved over time, incorporating diverse perspectives and
methodologies.
It has expanded to include considerations of race, sexuality, class, and other intersectional
identities in its analysis of literature.
By challenging traditional interpretations and highlighting marginalized voices, feminist
criticism aims to create a more inclusive and equitable literary discourse.
........
Feminist theories analyze and critique societal structures, seeking to address gender
inequalities. They encompass various perspectives, such as liberal feminism advocating
for legal and social equality, radical feminism challenging systemic patriarchy, and
intersectional feminism recognizing the interconnected impact of gender, race, and other
factors on oppression.
Citations:
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feminist_literary_criticism
[2] https://www.thoughtco.com/feminist-literary-criticism-3528960
[3] https://blogs.baruch.cuny.edu/blackwomenwriters/files/2020/09/Toward-a-BlackFeminist-Critici sm.pdf
[4] https://www.rep.routledge.com/articles/thematic/feminist-literary-criticism/v-1
[5] https://www.nypl.org/node/5672
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Examples of feminist
literary criticism
1. Women Authors
2. Male Canonical Authors
3. Gender and Powe
4. Queer Perspectives
5. Transnational Perspective
Examples of feminist literary criticism include:
1.Women Authors: Works by female authors like Charlotte Perkins Gilman ("The Yellow
Wall-Paper"), Virginia Woolf ("A Room of One's Own"), and Mary E. Freeman ("A New
England Nun") have long served as touchpoints for feminist criticism due to their
exploration of gender roles and women's experiences.
2. Male Canonical Authors: Feminist critics have analyzed the representation of women in
the works of male authors, such as George Eliot, Margaret Fuller, and Charles Dickens,
revealing the limitations and biases inherent in their portrayals of female characters.
3. Gender and Power: Feminist criticism explores the relationship between gender and
power in literature, examining how literary texts reflect and reinforce societal norms
regarding gender roles and hierarchies.
4. Queer Perspectives:
Feminist literary criticism has been closely associated with the birth and growth of queer
studies, exploring the representation of nontraditional gender identities and expressions
in literature.
5. Transnational Perspective: Recent feminist criticism has expanded to include more texts
from transnational perspectives, while still maintaining its roots in analyzing how maledominated societies affect the interpretation and creation of literature[1].
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These examples demonstrate the breadth and depth of feminist literary criticism, which
continues to evolve and expand our understanding of literature and culture.
...........................
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Considerations for feminist criticism include:
1. Representation of Gender
2. Intersectionality
3. Critique of Gender Norms
4. Feminist Literary Criticism Goals
5. Comparative Analysis
6. Feminist Theory Models
Some key concepts to cover when using feminist criticism include:
1. Representation of Gender: Analyzing how people of all genders are represented in a
text, especially concerning known social norms, and examining whether the text treats
those who fall outside gender norms favorably or unfavorably.
2. Intersectionality: Exploring how gender intersects with other identities such as race,
class, sexuality, and ability in literature, highlighting the complexities of individuals'
experiences and ident ities.
3. Critique of Gender Norms: Examining how literature reflects and perpetuates societal
norms related to gender roles, challenging stereotypes, and biases present in literary
works[5].
4. Feminist Literary Criticism Goals: Understanding that the main goal of feminist criticism
is to question established social understandings of gender and sex primarily, alongside
other social identities like race and class, by examining literature through a feminist lens.
5. Comparative Analysis: Conducting comparative analyses between texts by authors of
different genders from the same period to evaluate depictions of women and women's
lives, revealing disparities in representation and treatment.
6. Feminist Theory Models: Introducing various feminist theory models such as Black
feminist criticism, lesbian feminist criticism, feminist psychoanalysis, and feminist
technoscience (feminist
Toward a Black Feminist Criticism
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cybertheory) to provide a comprehensive understanding of feminist literary analysis[1].
By covering these key concepts when using or undertaking feminist criticism, you can
develop a nuanced understanding of how gender dynamics operate within literature and
society, enabling them to critically analyze texts through a feminist perspective.
..........................
Various feminist theory models have expanded our understanding of feminist literary
analysis, offering nuanced approaches to gender, power dynamics, and social justice.
Notable models inclu de:
1. Black feminist criticism(introduced by Bell Hooks) focuses on the intersection of race,
gender, and class in the analysis of literature, challenging traditional interpretations that
marginalize Black women's experiences[1][5].
2. Lesbian feminist criticism examines the representation of lesbian and bisexual women in
literature, emphasizing the concept of compulsory heterosexuality and the impact of
patriarchy on women's lives.
3. Feminist psychoanalysis challenges traditional psychoanalytic theories that suggest
women are passive and lacking compared to men. By looking closely at Freud's original
ideas and expanding upon them, feminist psychoanalysts propose that the unconscious
does not strictly follow biological distinctions between males and females. Instead, they
believe that people learn to identify as male or female throughout their lives, influenced
by societal expectations and experiences. This field encourages new interpretations of
the unconscious, allowing for deeper understandings of the complexity of human
behavior and relationships
4. Feminist technoscience (feminist cybertheory) interrogates the ways that women are
portrayed in science fiction and explores the connections between cyborgs, technology,
and gender.
These models have inspired new research questions and methods for analyzing literature,
promoting a better understanding of gender, power dynamics, and social justice. Each
model brings a unique perspective to the table, allowing scholars to recognize and value
the diverse experiences of women across cultures and time periods.
Citations:
[1] https://study.com/academy/lesson/feminist-theory-models-criticisms-examples.html
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feminist_theory
[3] https://typeset.io/questions/what-are-some-of-the-key-concepts-of-feminist-literary1pa0lhmvf0
[4] https://literariness.org/2022/10/07/feminist-literary-criticism/
[5] https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/508377
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Main Argument
According to Barbara Smith a new critical
framework is necessary to address the complex
intersection of race and gender within the
context of Black women's writing.
Smith advocates for a critical approach that
recognizes the unique experiences of Black
women, acknowledging the importance of both
sexual and racial politics in understanding their
literature.
The main argument of Barbara Smith's "Toward a Black Feminist Criticism" is that a new
critical framework is required to address the complex intersection of race and gender
within the context of Black women's writing. Specifically, Smith argues for:
1. Recognizing the uniqueness of Black women's experiences and perspectives in
literature.
2. Emphasizing the importance of analyzing Black women's writing within its cultural,
historical, and social context.
3. Highlighting the limitations of existing feminist literary theories in adequately analyzing
Black women's literature.
4. Advocating for an inclusive and accurate representation of Black women's voices in
literary studies.
5. Challenging essentialist representations of Black women and promoting the multiplicity
of voices.
6. Calling for a comprehensive literature that recognizes the diversity of Black women's
identities and perspectives.
Smith's essay proposes a radical shift in literary criticism, moving away from the exclusive
focus on white women's experiences and toward a more inclusive and accurate
representation of Black women's voices in literature.
............................
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Some examples of Black women's literature to which Barbara Smith's
argument in "Toward a Black Feminist Criticism" applies include:
Toni Morrison's Novels
Alice Walker's "The Color Purple
Zora Neale Hurston's "Their Eyes Were
Watching God
Octavia Butler's Science Fiction
Ntozake Shange's "For Colored Girls Who
Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow
Is Enuf
Some examples of Black women's literature to which Barbara Smith's argument in "Toward
a Black Feminist Criticism" applies include:
1. Toni Morrison's Novels: Works like "Beloved" and "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison
explore themes of race, gender, and identity, offering profound insights into the
experiences of Black women in America.
2. Alice Walker's "The Color Purple": This novel delves into the lives of African American
women in the early 20th century South, addressing issues of race, gender, and power
dynamics within the context of systemic oppression.
3. Zora Neale Hurston's "Their Eyes Were Watching God": Hurston's novel examines the
journey of a Black woman named Janie Crawford as she navigates love, independence,
and self-discovery in the face of societal expectations[4].
4. Octavia Butler's Science Fiction: Butler's science fiction works, such as "Kindred" and
the "Parable" series, challenge traditional narratives and explore themes of race, gender,
and power through speculative fiction.
5. Ntozake Shange's "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow
Is Enuf: This choreopoem addresses issues faced by Black women, including love, trauma,
and resilience, through a powerful blend of poetry and performance[4].
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These examples represent a range of Black women's literature that engages with themes of
race, gender, identity, and power dynamics—themes central to Barbara Smith's argument
for a new critical framework that recognizes and values the unique experiences of Black
women writers.
These examples demonstrate how Barbara Smith's argument has been applied to a diverse
range of Black women's literature, enriching the analysis of these texts by emphasizing
the unique experiences and perspectives of Black women writers.
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Barbara Smith's contribution to the study of Black
women's literature
1. Establishes a foundation for Black feminist criticism
2. Highlights the complexity of Black women's experiences
3. Challenges essentialist views of Black women's literature
4. Encourages a broader appreciation of Black women's literature
5. Inspires new directions for research
6. Contributes to the ongoing conversation about Black women's literature
Barbara Smith's argument in "Toward a Black Feminist Criticism" contributes to the study
of Black women's literature in several important ways:
1. Establishes a foundation for Black feminist criticism: Smith's essay provides a starting
point for a new critical framework that focuses on the unique experiences of Black women
writers, thereby encouraging scholars to analyze Black women's literature through a
feminist lens[2].
2. Highlights the complexity of Black women's experiences: Smith emphasizes the brutal
systems of oppression that shape Black women's existence, experience, and culture,
calling for a more nuanced understanding of Black women's literature.
3. Challenges essentialist views of Black women's literature: Smith critiques the idea of a
singular "black female language" or identity, arguing that Black women's literature
encompasses a variety of voices and perspectives.
4. Encourages a broader appreciation of Black women's literature: Smith's essay promotes
the inclusion of Black women's literature in scholarly debates and conversations, ensuring
that this rich and diverse body of work receives the attention it deserves.
5. Inspires new directions for research: Smith's call for a new critical framework has led to
the emergence of new research questions and approaches to studying Black women's
literature, resulting in a more robust and dynamic field of study.
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6. Contributes to the ongoing conversation about Black women's literature: Smith's essay
has helped to generate a vibrant and engaging discussion about Black women's literature,
leading to the publication of numerous anthologies, monographs, and journal articles on
the topic.
Overall, Barbara Smith's argument in "Toward a Black Feminist Criticism" has had a
transformative effect on the study of Black women's literature, inspiring new avenues of
research and helping to establish a more inclusive and accurate representation of Black
women's voices in literary studies.
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Criticisms leveled against Smith’s Argument
1. Essentialism
2. Uniqueness vs. Plurality
3. Global Scope
Barbara Smith's argument in "Toward a Black Feminist Criticism" supports studying Black
women's literature but has faced some concerns.
People disagree with her ideas because:
1. Essentialism: Smith mentions a special way Black women speak and think, but others
believe this oversimplifies their varied experiences.
2. Uniqueness vs. Plurality: While Smith highlights the unique side of Black women's
writing, some say she doesn't acknowledge enough differences within the Black female
community.
3. Global Scope: Critics claim Smith's argument isn't broad enough; it mainly discusses
Black women's literature in the US and Canada without considering worldwide
perspectives.
However, despite these objections, Smith's argument remains influential in Black feminist
criticism, prompting researchers to examine Black women's literature in fresh ways and
appreciate the unique experiences of Black women writers.
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Thank You
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