In today’s world, culture and public space, in general, are increasingly filled with a feminist agenda. The topic of “women’s rights” is increasingly becoming the subject of propaganda manipulations. In recent decades, despite the blurring and diversity of currents, the ideas of feminism are becoming more and more popular, especially among young women. The formation and development of feminism can be formally divided into three waves – peculiar outbreaks of the feminist movement, which chronologically spread over several decades.
The beginning and feminist books
The issue of women’s participation in public and political life was raised as early as the 18th century. An organized women’s movement appeared as early as the 19th century. It cannot be said that there is a single feminist movement that has become key in the world. After all, women began to fight for their rights in different parts of the world and had the same value. Nowadays, many books can tell about feminism in one way or another. This article lists some good reads for women from feminist writers.
“The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins
The whole story is believed to be an allegory for the oppressed position of women and their lack of opportunity to express themselves. The image that flickers to the heroine behind the yellow upholstery is intended to reflect in the flesh the isolation of women within the framework imposed by society. In the 19th century, women had minimal opportunities. Charlotte’s story, which we read in the 21st century, confirms that. The story is semi-autobiographical and written after a bout of post-partum depression. For its time, the story probably sounded innovative. However, it deserves attention even today.
In many educational institutions, they may even be asked to write a feminist essay. And this book can be helpful. But not everyone has sufficient writing skills. This is not a problem in the modern world because everyone can use The Yellow Wallpaper essays by Gradesfixer and get a flawless essay. Thanks to free essay samples, you will be able to understand the topic of feminism and better understand what Charlotte Perkins wrote about. After all, the book is about the lack of understanding between people living under the same roof and about inner loneliness when you seem surrounded by attention.
“The Second SƎx” by Simone de Beauvoir
“The Second Sǝx” is one of the most challenging and scandalous books of the 20th century. It is a complete history of feminism written by Simone de Beauvoir. She used historical examples to demonstrate how society and its laws turned women into second-class citizens. The writer was suitable because France gave women the right to vote five years before publication. The writer reflects on:
- What is hidden behind the stereotype of “female destiny”?
- How does a woman’s position differ from a man’s?
- What circumstances limit a woman’s freedom?
De Beauvoir was one of the first to question the belief that gender roles were always innate traits and the first to speak for gender freedom.
“The Golden Notebook” by Doris Lessing
Doris Lessing is a famous English science fiction writer and Nobel Prize in Literature laureate. Her novel “The Golden Notebook” was published in 1962, and today it is considered a classic of feminist literature. The action takes place in London in the 60s and tells the story of a talented girl, Anna Wolf, who records her entire life in four diaries. The girl reflects on motherhood, sexual liberation, racism, colonialism, communism, and the mental illness she suffers. Later, she starts a fifth notebook – a golden one, which helps her cope with her problems. Interestingly, “The Golden Notebook” was received critically, first of all, because the heroine Anna Wolf in some of her views, is not always pleasant and convenient, and many people said that Lessing is a “hater of men.”
“The Feminine Mystique” by Betty Friedan
Betty Friedan was a journalist and president of the National Organization for Women. In the early 1960s, she wrote an article called “The Secret of Womanhood,” in which she wondered why American housewives were unhappy even though they had everything a woman, according to society, should want:
- a husband;
- a house;
- children;
- financial security.
When Friedan could not find a publication that would agree to publish this article, she decided to turn it into a book. It happened in 1963 when all the media in the States positioned a woman as a housewife. Friedan was one of the first to publicly say that a woman cannot realize herself at home and feels unhappy. The book of Betty Friedan proved to be very effective. She sparked the second wave of feminism in the US and even influenced labor laws.
Conclusion
Thus, feminism is a significant movement in the modern world. Every self-respecting person should know what it is and what women are fighting for. Because in the modern world, unfortunately, some people think feminism is the same as degrading men. Therefore, to understand this concept well, it is worth reading books that will help in education. In this way, you will not only understand the history of feminism but also discover something new for yourself.
Jack Griffiths
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