I am taking a writing seminar this semester about George Orwell. However, as I was reading the syllabus, I came across this troublesome phrase
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google "feminist critiques of orwell"salaamalaykumOctober 21 2005, 15:23:15 UTC
I honestly haven't heard anything about this either, so I Googled. The first two links were Amazon, the third was http://pubs.socialistreviewindex.org.uk/isj62/newsinger.htm -- upon searching the page for "feminist", you'll find this paragraph:
At this point it is worth considering one of the most substantial of the recent critiques of Orwell: Daphne Patai's The Orwell Mystique. Orwell has been the subject of attack from Communist sources since the late 1930s and at different times various socialist commentators have also provided critical evaluations of his work. Patai, however, breaks new ground with what amounts to a full scale assault on the whole body of Orwell's work from a feminist perspective. She argues that throughout his writings he cultivates 'a traditional notion of masculinity, complemented by a generalised misogyny' and displays an 'insistent adherence to a gender polarisation that assumes male centrality and superiority'. Her
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I'm not familiar with any feminist arguments against Orwell. I think you should be mostly wary of how a professor who's obviously a fan of the man's work might view any feminist spin on it. Some are prone to view any unorthodox readings as evil (or misguided) feminist attacks on beloved canonical works.
From what I remember 1984 is quite misogynistic. He's also quoted as being dismissive of feminists. It's not always clear what he thinks of women because they are often left out of his work, which I suppose is a sign in itself.
I agree. She seemed normal enough at first, then as soon as they started spending time alone together she'd go all clingy and stereotypical on his ass. And such characteristics weren't being mocked as abnormal or anything, it was just like...this is how women are.
Orwell is an interesting character but highly male-focused (ie. patriarchal) and western. But I'm sure your instructor will go over the feminist critiques of Orwell, considering you're going to one of the highest ranked schools in the United States, eh?
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At this point it is worth considering one of the most substantial of the recent critiques of Orwell: Daphne Patai's The Orwell Mystique. Orwell has been the subject of attack from Communist sources since the late 1930s and at different times various socialist commentators have also provided critical evaluations of his work. Patai, however, breaks new ground with what amounts to a full scale assault on the whole body of Orwell's work from a feminist perspective. She argues that throughout his writings he cultivates 'a traditional notion of masculinity, complemented by a generalised misogyny' and displays an 'insistent adherence to a gender polarisation that assumes male centrality and superiority'. Her ( ... )
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But I'm sure your instructor will go over the feminist critiques of Orwell, considering you're going to one of the highest ranked schools in the United States, eh?
Good luck with that!
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