On Feminism in Literature
It is human nature to 'define' people and the positions they take in
order to gain an understanding and which is usually the essence of
theories.
The issue of Feminism and all related to it is steeped in raging controversy, misunderstandings and differing perspectives which makes it impossible to have a common ground for protagonists, antagonists and the 'fence-sitters'. Perhaps it is only when you look at the 'parts' that you can see the 'whole'.
Any writing that seeks to buttress the plights of the feminine gender is usually termed 'feminist'. Much as many avoid such tags, I would say it is inevitable.
It is common knowledge that 'his'-story is replete with proof that the world is dominated by the masculine. This in itself should not be a problem (apologies to the ladies)! The problem arose because injustice(s) and outright denial of a human being's 'humanity' became entrenched in different settings, epochs, and circumstances.
These well documented realities forced revolutions of varying proportions. Let me give an instance.
Prior to the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) being sent as a Messenger, two common practices in Arabia were female infanticide and inheritance of wives/women. But the ‘Literature of Islam’ came with a message of advocacy for female rights to humanity, pursuit of life’s endeavors with honor and dignity. Such strange declarations made in such climes nay unheard of anywhere in the world were what distinguished the message as promoting equity (as against equality).
The second case is much nearer our times and concerns the actual source of the word ‘Feminism’ as a movement which due to the increasing proliferation of communications technology and the various media that quickened the process of Globalization has spread like wildfire to all nooks and crannies of the world as a platform for the ‘emancipation’ of the female gender with all its attendant ‘controversies as I mentioned above. Basically it was not until as recent in History as the 18-19th century that demands and advocacy gained ascendancy and appeal to mass movements were made which naturally saw a rise specifically in ‘Feminist Literature’ and generally in ‘feminist themes’ in Literature.
Now having taken us on a historical sojourn, let us return to base. Today looking at things one can say that it has culminated to the point where the feminist movement has evolved from an ‘equity’ struggle to an ‘equality’ struggle. And this is one of the main points upon which the antagonists of the Feminism movement hit hard with their criticism. They argue that Feminists are impractically expecting everything to change in order to ‘equalize’. There are even movements that claim ‘Men’s Rights' advocacy due to the effects of the Feminism Movement.
All in all it is a whole mosaic of perspectives that cover the horizon and one cannot possibly capture the the whole (or what is nearest to the whole) picture. Suffice it so that it is demonstrably clear that Literature as an instrument of communication will continue to be littered with themes and ideas from the Feminists as much as from any other movement with its accompanying tag. The onus remains on everyone to sustain the conversations and ensure there is accommodation of differing perspectives for the benefit of the ones who are suffering and downtrodden.
Haidar Wali 201412231230hrs
The issue of Feminism and all related to it is steeped in raging controversy, misunderstandings and differing perspectives which makes it impossible to have a common ground for protagonists, antagonists and the 'fence-sitters'. Perhaps it is only when you look at the 'parts' that you can see the 'whole'.
Any writing that seeks to buttress the plights of the feminine gender is usually termed 'feminist'. Much as many avoid such tags, I would say it is inevitable.
It is common knowledge that 'his'-story is replete with proof that the world is dominated by the masculine. This in itself should not be a problem (apologies to the ladies)! The problem arose because injustice(s) and outright denial of a human being's 'humanity' became entrenched in different settings, epochs, and circumstances.
These well documented realities forced revolutions of varying proportions. Let me give an instance.
Prior to the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) being sent as a Messenger, two common practices in Arabia were female infanticide and inheritance of wives/women. But the ‘Literature of Islam’ came with a message of advocacy for female rights to humanity, pursuit of life’s endeavors with honor and dignity. Such strange declarations made in such climes nay unheard of anywhere in the world were what distinguished the message as promoting equity (as against equality).
The second case is much nearer our times and concerns the actual source of the word ‘Feminism’ as a movement which due to the increasing proliferation of communications technology and the various media that quickened the process of Globalization has spread like wildfire to all nooks and crannies of the world as a platform for the ‘emancipation’ of the female gender with all its attendant ‘controversies as I mentioned above. Basically it was not until as recent in History as the 18-19th century that demands and advocacy gained ascendancy and appeal to mass movements were made which naturally saw a rise specifically in ‘Feminist Literature’ and generally in ‘feminist themes’ in Literature.
Now having taken us on a historical sojourn, let us return to base. Today looking at things one can say that it has culminated to the point where the feminist movement has evolved from an ‘equity’ struggle to an ‘equality’ struggle. And this is one of the main points upon which the antagonists of the Feminism movement hit hard with their criticism. They argue that Feminists are impractically expecting everything to change in order to ‘equalize’. There are even movements that claim ‘Men’s Rights' advocacy due to the effects of the Feminism Movement.
All in all it is a whole mosaic of perspectives that cover the horizon and one cannot possibly capture the the whole (or what is nearest to the whole) picture. Suffice it so that it is demonstrably clear that Literature as an instrument of communication will continue to be littered with themes and ideas from the Feminists as much as from any other movement with its accompanying tag. The onus remains on everyone to sustain the conversations and ensure there is accommodation of differing perspectives for the benefit of the ones who are suffering and downtrodden.
Haidar Wali 201412231230hrs
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