Literary Feminisms

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Description

Literary Feminisms provides a map for charting the difficult waters that feminist theories have created in literary studies. Ruth Robbins shows the reasons for the development of feminist literary critiques, explains the difficulties and exposes some of feminism's blindspots. A wide range of theorists is discussed, ranging from Wollstonecraft to Kristeva, showing the ways in which materialist, psychoanalytic and literary accounts of feminist thinking creatively intersect.

Through a series of exemplary readings, of texts such as The Picture of Dorian Gray and The Yellow Wallpaper, she also points out how the student reader can begin to make her or his own feminist criticism, and can learn to engage with both the politics and poetics of the literature. Review: 'This is a lively, straightforward, and highly accessible introduction to the varieties of feminist criticism which are found today.

Robbins gives a brief, and very useful overview of the history of recent feminist thought...Particularly useful are the feminist readings she offers: practical exemplar of how to turn theory into practice...I would have no hesitation in recommending this book to my own students. Robbins writes with confidence and clarity.

She explains critical concepts lucidly: her aim is to enable, not to overawe her audience. Even a student sceptical about feminist theory would gain greatly from this work, and those who already believe themselves familiar with the field will be led to see familiar texts - both theoretical and literary - in fresh ways.

Literary Feminisms provides an invaluable introduction to its field.' - Kate Flint, Linacre College, Oxford 'I thought at first - not another book on feminist literary theory. But in fact it is not just another book - it is a very good book - very readable and clear, well thought out, with original things to say.

I like it very much indeed.' - Dr C. Tylee, Brunel University 'Ruth Robbins surveys and interprets feminisms for the benefit of those who find the variety and obscurity of feminist inquiry daunting or off-putting. Proceeding both chronologically and categorically, the author presents the arguments of a wide variety of theorists who draw from a common background of Western literary tradition.

She does not shrink from addressing contentious views; her tone and her language are precise and insightful, so she illuminates theory even as she offers critical assessment of its borders and absences...An excellent resource for undergraduates, graduate students and teachers.' - R. Nadelhaft, Choice