Decolonial Feminism and Gender in Literature: Challenging Patriarchal and Colonial Power Structures
Keywords:
Decolonial feminism, gender, patriarchal, colonial power structuresAbstract
Aim: The aim of this study was to critically engage with literature through a decolonial feminist lens, with the ultimate goal of shedding light on the ways in which literature has been a site of resistance, empowerment, and transformative potential in the face of patriarchal and colonial power structures.
Methods: The methodology employed in this study involved a comprehensive analysis of literary texts through a decolonial feminist lens. A selection of relevant literary works was identified and examined using qualitative research methods such as close reading, textual analysis, and literary theory. The study critically engaged with the representation of gender and power dynamics within the chosen texts, exploring how they challenge or reinforce patriarchal and colonial power structures.
Results: The decolonial feminist perspective forms the link between the symbolic, constructed, and cultural dimension of gender relations and their economic and political dimension, from the domestic, local and global levels.
Conclusion: From the literature works examined, it is evident that the narratives intricately explore the complexities of women's experiences, revealing struggles for autonomy and agency amid intersecting forms of oppression. Across diverse works, from classic novels to postcolonial literature, the portrayal of gender dynamics within colonial contexts underscores the transformative potential of storytelling in unveiling, challenging, and reshaping societal norms.
Recommendations: Future researchers should delve into the agency and empowerment of authors themselves within the decolonial feminist discourse. Research could explore how writers navigate their own identities, resistances, and negotiations with power structures, providing insights into the role of the author as an agent of change.
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