Exploring Literature
through the Feminist Lens
Feminist Lens
 The feminist lens allows us to look at text through
the eyes of a feminist to closely analyze how women
are portrayed and presented in comparison to men.
 Feminism- movement for social, political, economic,
and cultural equality between men and women;
campaigns against gender inequalities.
 Feminist critics believe:
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Civilization is patriarchal
“Gender” is socially constructed
Reading through a Feminist Lens
 How are women portrayed?
 What are the roles of women?
 What is expected of women? What is valued?
 What sexual stereotypes are present?
 How does society’s construction of gender influence women?
 What is portrayed as “feminine”?
 How do women relate with men?
 How do marriages, families, friendships, and other relationships
function between men and women?
 How is power dispersed between men and women?
 How are the identities of women presented?
 Are women’s voices heard? Why or why not?
 What is the author’s view of women?
How have we already used a Feminist Lens
in our study of The Odyssey?
 Harkness Discussion

What is Homer’s view of women, and how is it presented in the
text?
Roles— What does it mean to be a woman in Ancient Greece? What
different roles do women play in The Odyssey? Are they all
traditionally feminine roles?
 Power and Influence— How are women denied power and
influence in the epic? In what ways are women able to exert their
power and influence? How do women both aid and hinder Odysseus
and other men during their journeys?
 Relationships— How do men and women relate with one another in
the epic? What are their relationships like? How do Odysseus and
other male characters view women? Is this the same way Homer
views women?

Feminist Lens in The Odyssey
 Why do you think Scylla and Charybdis are
personified as women, and why is it significant?
What qualities do the two monsters possess? Do
they remind us of other female characters in the
epic?

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“I never noticed that they were referred to as she.”
When looking at the text through the Feminist Lens, readers
are constantly considering how women are presented in
comparison to men. Readers search for use of language (such
as the word ‘she’ referring to both the monsters Scylla and
Charybdis) that indicate gender roles, stereotypes, inequalities,
and relationships.
Feminist Lens: Mount Rushmore
 Mount Rushmore
 Traditional Lens:

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Monument honoring our
country’s founding
presidents.
Feminist Lens:
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History glorifies men;
women have no impact in
America’s history.
Till this day, there hasn’t
been a female president.
Politics is a “masculine”
career path.
Feminist Lens: Barbie Doll
 Barbie Doll
 Traditional Lens:
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
The Barbie doll is a popular girl’s
toy.
Feminist Lens:
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Barbie reinforces traditional female
roles (mother, nurse, teacher). The
doll tells girls that these are the
“ideal” career paths.
Depicts fashion and materialism as
“feminine”
Promotes an unrealistic body image
-2007: Barbie Learns to Cook
Speech bubble states: "Ken loves my
famous casserole - yummy!"
Feminist Lens: “Love Story” by Taylor Swift
Feminist Lens: “Love Story” by Taylor Swift
 “Love Story” by Taylor Swift
 Traditional Lens:
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Daydreaming of marriage
Idealization of the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet
Feminist Lens:
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Women are incomplete without a man
Men are in control (“Romeo save me,” “I’ll be waiting,” “you were
everything to me,” “I was begging you,” “I talked to your dad”)
Switching of “gender roles” from Shakespeare’s original text
Exit Questions
 Define “feminist lens” in your own words.
 In your opinion, why is it important to analyze
cultural icons or music (ex. Barbie and “Love Song”)
as well as literature (ex. The Odyssey) with a
feminist lens?