English
1. Unlikely destinations
I did some research about what aspects of Perth, Australia make it a 'hidden gem'. This travel destination has more to offer than meets the eye. Read ↓ if you'd like to know more.
For better quality, click the download button below
2. Podcast
This document is an audioclip, in which my classmate and I try to make a somewhat professional podcast episode about a scene from Macbeth (Act 4 Scene 1). We also acted it out.
3. Research project
In the coming months, I will be researching feminist writers of the 20th century and how their literature impacted feminist discourse to answer the question below. I will gradually add more of my findings on the website.
Research question (2nd version)
''How did literary fiction by women influence or shape feminist thought, discourse, and activism in the 20th century?''
Personal motivation
I've always found the concept of feminism intriguing; thus, for this research project, I wanted to expand on the knowledge I already have about feminism by looking at how specific writers from the 20th century and their works helped propel feminist ideas. I'm not very knowledgeable when it comes to the women's rights movement, so I was glad I could use this opportunity to gain more of an understanding of how the movement began to take shape. I chose this particular approach because I like reading and wanted to incorporate that into my research project as well. Furthermore, I thought it would be interesting to draw a connection between feminist literature and feminist ideology in action.
I will primarily be analysing The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath and Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf to answer my question, but I'll probably also mention other pivotal writers and their works like Simone de Beauvoir or Joanna Russ in my subquestions.
STRUCTURE OUTLINE: first version
BIBLIOGRAPHY
I will add more sources over time. Last updated: 9/05
Burkett, E., & Brunell, L. (2024, 24 januari). Feminism | Definition, History, Types, waves, Examples, & Facts. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/feminism
Effects of Feminism on Literature | Teen Ink. (z.d.). https://www.teenink.com/nonfiction/academic/article/895299/Effects-Of-Feminism-On-Literature
Famous Feminist Writers of the 20th Century. (z.d.-b). Viva. https://vocal.media/viva/famous-feminist-writers-of-the-20th-century
Gay, R. (2020, 17 september). The Legacy of Audre Lorde - The Paris Review. The Paris Review. https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2020/09/17/the-legacy-of-audre-lorde/
Green, W. (2023, 7 september). Audre Lorde: The Voice of the Marginalized. Poem Analysis. https://poemanalysis.com/audre-lorde/biography/
Lohnes, K. (2024, 12 april). Mrs. Dalloway | Summary, Context, & Interpretation. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Mrs-Dalloway-novel-by-Woolf
Mrs. Dalloway: Summary & Analysis, Virginia Woolf | StudySmarter. (z.d.). StudySmarter UK. https://www.studysmarter.co.uk/explanations/english-literature/american-literature/mrs-dalloway/
Nasr, G. A. (2022, 4 juni). Feminism and Feminist Literary Theory. Arcadia. https://www.byarcadia.org/post/feminism-and-feminist-literary-theory
Solly, M. (2023, 8 november). The women writers who shaped 20th-Century American literature. Smithsonian Magazine. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/women-writers-who-shaped-20th-century-american-literature-180975872/
The Cambridge Companion to Feminist Literary Theory. (2006). Cambridge University Press. https://assets.cambridge.org/052180/7069/frontmatter/0521807069_frontmatter.pdf
Wyland, J., & Wyland, J. (2022, 1 februari). Five feminist writers that changed history. The University Of Texas Permian Basin | UTPB. https://online.utpb.edu/about-us/articles/humanities/five-feminist-writers-that-changed-history/
The Bell Jar Study Guide | Literature Guide | LitCharts. (z.d.). LitCharts. https://www.litcharts.com/lit/the-bell-jar
Self evaluation
UPDATED STRUCTURE OUTLINE
Last updated: 28/05
I. Introduction
A. Descriptive data
B. Definition of feminism
II. Milestones in the feminist movement
A. What encouraged the first wave of feminism?
B. First-wave feminism
- Virginia Woolf (case study 1):
- Analysis of themes and narratives
- How her work challenged societal norms and patriarchal structures
- The role of her literature in shaping feminist consciousness and discourse
C. Second-wave feminism
- Sylvia Plath (case study 2):
- Analysis of themes and narratives
- How her work challenged societal norms and patriarchal structures
- The role of her literature in shaping feminist consciousness and discourse
- Toni Morrison
- ?Margaret Atwood
D. Third-wave feminism
III. Conclusion
A. Main points+ suggestion for further research
- recurring elements in each wave of feminism
B. Reflection on the ongoing relevance of feminist literature
ABSTRACT: final version
Throughout the 20th century, literary fiction written by women has considerably influenced and shaped feminist discussion. My study examines the contributions of women writers from the 20th century to the development of feminist ideologies and movements. Through a concise analysis of literary texts and critical perspectives, this research explores one of the diverse ways in which women challenged patriarchal norms and advocated for gender equality: through literature.
The study explains how fictional narratives served as powerful tools for social critique and raising awareness. Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway and Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar are both essential works with a profound impact on feminist literature, by addressing in particular women's mental health and the shortcomings of the patriarchal society. Given that such themes remained largely unaddressed back then, is what makes them all the more significant for research.
My research highlights the importance of women's voices in shaping the feminist movement in the 20th century. By recognizing the power of storytelling, this analysis focuses on the vital role of women's literary fiction in advancing gender justice and equality.