Feminism and Its Pioneers in Literature (Essay Sample)

Feminism and Its Pioneers in Literature Student’s Name Institutional Affiliation Course Number and Name Instructor Name Due Date Feminism and Its Pioneers in Literature Feminism is not a new term in the world of literature. Over the years, several women's rights advocates have primarily relied on the pen as a powerful and convincing medium for communicating their message. McAfee (2018) defines feminism as the belief that all people are equal in economic, social, and political perspectives despite their gender differences. Thus, feminist literature attempts to define, establish, and promote equal rights for women in patriarchal societies. Christine de Pizan, Mary Wollstonecraft, and Maya Angelou are some of the feminist writers that broke boundaries by placing the plight of women at the heart of their stories and perspectives. Christine de Pizan was one of the prominent pioneers of feminist literature. After her husband's death, de Pizan was denied the opportunity to inherit his estate because of her gender. De Pizan's mother also discouraged her from writing, reminding her to concentrate on women's chores. Through her renowned works, The Treasure of the City of the Ladies and The Book of the City of Ladies, de Pizan embodied the values of feminism, advancing the need to accord women the same rights, opportunities, and respect as their male counterparts (Mark, 2019). Christine de Pizan was among the most accomplished professional writers of her era despite living at a time when society did not recognize or appreciate women. The 18th century also witnessed the rise of another outspoken feminist writer, advocate, and feminist philosopher by the name of Mary Wollstonecraft. Through her literary masterpiece, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, Wollstonecraft contended that women deserved equal economic, educational, and political rights to men. In this book, Wollstonecraft revolutionarily says, "I shall first consider women in the grand light of human creatures, who, in common with men, are placed on this earth to unfold their faculties…” (Ruston, 2013). She also urged society to empower women to earn a living and support themselves. Wollstonecraft's literary works rejected the traditional concept that women represented the weaker and lower gender, thus making her a prominent feminist writer. Maya Angelou is another women's rights advocate whose compelling literary works inspired new-age feminists. As a victim of gender violence, Angelou suffered psychological trauma for several years after being sexually abused by her mother's boyfriend (Saxena, 2022). Angelou later became the pillar of the rising feminist movement through her literary works such as I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. This book resonated well with several abuse survivors, cementing Angelou's name in the history books of literary icons. Notably, Angelou was the first woman of color to have her play, Georgia Georgia, developed into a film (Saxena, 2022). To date, people still quote her works across the globe, as most African-American women continue to honor her contributions. ...