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CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Literary criticism has long been a vehicle for examining and interpreting works of literature, uncovering hidden meanings, and exploring the cultural and social contexts in which they were produced. Over the years, various critical theories have emerged, each offering unique lenses through which to analyze and understand literary texts. One such influential approach is the Feminist Theory of Literacy Criticism, which centers on the examination of gender-based power dynamics within literature and the broader cultural landscape. This theory seeks to expose and challenge the ways in which women and marginalized genders have been historically misrepresented, silenced, or excluded from literary canons, while also celebrating the subversive potential of women's writing.

At its core, the Feminist Theory of Literacy Criticism recognizes that literature and language play pivotal roles in shaping and reflecting societal norms, values, and power structures. Feminist literary critics argue that traditional literary canons have largely been dominated by male authors, perpetuating and reinforcing patriarchal ideologies. Moreover, these critics contend that the perspectives and experiences of women, along with other marginalized genders, have been marginalized or erased altogether. As such, feminist scholars and critics advocate for a reevaluation of literature through an intersectional lens, acknowledging the ways in which gender intersects with other identity markers such as race, class, sexuality, and ability.

The emergence of the Feminist Theory of Literacy Criticism can be traced back to the second wave of feminism in the 1960s and 1970s. During this period, feminist scholars began to question the absence of women's voices in literary history and the implications of this absence for women's empowerment and social progress. These scholars sought to challenge the prevailing notions of literary value, which had largely been determined by male-centric perspectives and

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