Internalized Misogyny in Literature & Literary Theory

Internalized Misogyny: Etymology and Concept

Etymology

The term “internalized misogyny” is formed by combining “internalized,” referring to the process of accepting and incorporating cultural beliefs within oneself, and “misogyny,” which stems from the Greek words “miso” (hatred) and “gune” (woman). Coined within feminist discourse, internalized misogyny denotes the involuntary internalization of societal prejudices and discriminatory attitudes towards women. It encapsulates the phenomenon where individuals, including women themselves, unconsciously adopt and perpetuate negative stereotypes, biases, and discriminatory behaviors associated with their own gender.

Concept

Self-Blame and Guilt	The internalization of societal expectations may lead women to blame themselves or feel guilty for not conforming to traditional gender roles.
Stereotype Endorsement	Acceptance and reinforcement of harmful stereotypes about women, contributing to the perpetuation of gender-based discrimination.
Body Image Issues	Internalized misogyny can manifest in negative perceptions of one’s own body, often influenced by societal standards that objectify and judge women based on physical appearance.
Undermining Other Women	Women may participate in undermining other women, either consciously or subconsciously, reinforcing gender hierarchies and hindering collective empowerment.
Internalized Sexism	Unconscious acceptance of sexist attitudes and beliefs, where women may unknowingly contribute to their own subjugation by internalizing societal norms that marginalize and limit them.
Limiting Ambitions and Goals	Internalized misogyny can result in women internalizing societal messages that discourage them from pursuing ambitious goals or leadership roles, reinforcing traditional gender roles.
Normalization of Abuse	Acceptance of abusive behaviors as normal or justified, perpetuating a culture where gender-based violence is downplayed or overlooked, and the blame is placed on the victim.
Reluctance to Advocate	Women may hesitate to advocate for gender equality or challenge sexist norms due to the internalized belief that they should conform to established gender roles and avoid disrupting societal expectations.
Double Standards Acceptance	Internalized misogyny may lead to the acceptance of double standards, where women adhere to stricter norms and face harsher judgment compared to men, reinforcing inequalities in various aspects of life.
Fear of Femininity	A reluctance to embrace or express traditionally feminine qualities due to the internalized belief that such attributes are inferior, weak, or limiting, contributing to the devaluation of femininity.

Internalized Misogyny: Definition of a Theoretical Term

Internalized misogyny refers to the unconscious acceptance and internalization of societal biases, stereotypes, and discriminatory attitudes toward women. It manifests when individuals, including women themselves, adopt and perpetuate negative beliefs about their own gender, often resulting in behaviors that reinforce harmful norms and hinder collective empowerment.

This theoretical term underscores the psychological process through which cultural prejudices become ingrained within an individual’s belief system, influencing self-perception, behaviors, and attitudes toward women.

Internalized Misogyny: Theorists, Works and Argument

1. Simone de Beauvoir:
   • Work: The Second Sex (1949)
   • Argument: De Beauvoir’s exploration of women’s oppression and the societal construction of femininity contributes to the understanding of how cultural expectations become internalized, influencing women’s perception of their own roles and capabilities.
2. bell hooks:
   • Work: The Feminine Mystique (1983)
   • Argument: hooks discusses the impact of patriarchal values on women’s self-perception and relationships, highlighting how this misogyny can lead women to conform to societal expectations, hindering feminist progress.
3. Audre Lorde:
   • Work: Sister Outsider (1984)
   • Argument: Lorde addresses the intersectionality of identity and oppression, arguing that this misogyny is intertwined with racism and other forms of discrimination, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and dismantling these internalized biases.
4. Naomi Wolf:
   • Work: The Beauty Myth (1990)
   • Argument: Wolf explores the societal pressures on women to conform to beauty standards, examining how this misogyny contributes to women’s preoccupation with appearance and the impact on their sense of self-worth.
5. Jessica Valenti:
   • Work: Full Frontal Feminism (2007)
   • Argument: Valenti discusses contemporary issues facing women and argues that internalized misogyny, manifested through self-blame and adherence to traditional gender roles, remains a barrier to achieving gender equality.

These theorists have contributed significantly to the understanding of this misogyny, addressing its roots in societal expectations, its intersectionality with other forms of oppression, and its impact on women’s agency and empowerment.

Internalized Misogyny: Major Characteristics

1. Self-Blame and Guilt: Individuals, particularly women, may internalize societal expectations and, as a result, blame themselves or feel guilt for not conforming to traditional gender roles.
2. Stereotype Endorsement: Internalized misogyny involves the acceptance and reinforcement of harmful stereotypes about women, contributing to the perpetuation of gender-based discrimination.
3. Body Image Issues: Negative perceptions of one’s own body, influenced by societal standards that objectify and judge women based on physical appearance, are common characteristics of internalized misogyny.
4. Undermining Other Women: Individuals, consciously or subconsciously, may participate in undermining other women, reinforcing gender hierarchies and hindering collective empowerment.
5. Internalized Sexism: Unconscious acceptance of sexist attitudes and beliefs leads to individuals, including women, contributing to their own subjugation by internalizing societal norms that marginalize and limit them.
6. Limiting Ambitions and Goals: Internalized misogyny can result in women internalizing societal messages that discourage them from pursuing ambitious goals or leadership roles, reinforcing traditional gender roles.
7. Normalization of Abuse: Acceptance of abusive behaviors as normal or justified perpetuates a culture where gender-based violence is downplayed or overlooked, and blame is often placed on the victim.
8. Reluctance to Advocate: Women may hesitate to advocate for gender equality or challenge sexist norms due to the internalized belief that they should conform to established gender roles.
9. Double Standards Acceptance: Internalized misogyny may lead to the acceptance of double standards, where women adhere to stricter norms and face harsher judgment compared to men, reinforcing gender inequalities.
10. Fear of Femininity: Reluctance to embrace or express traditionally feminine qualities due to the internalized belief that such attributes are inferior, weak, or limiting is a characteristic of internalized misogyny.

Internalized Misogyny: Relevance in Literary Theories

Literary Theory	Relevance to Internalized Misogyny in Literature
Feminist Criticism	Provides a lens for analyzing how internalized misogyny is depicted in literature, exploring characters’ struggles with societal expectations and the impact of patriarchal norms on women’s self-perception and agency.
Psychoanalytic Theory	Examines the subconscious influences on characters’ behaviors and identities, offering insights into the origins and manifestations of internalized misogyny as depicted in literature. Analyzes the characters’ motivations and conflicts.
Postcolonial Criticism	Unveils the intersections of internalized misogyny with other forms of oppression, especially in the context of cultural norms and colonial legacies. Explores how literature portrays the complexities of identity in postcolonial settings.
Marxist Criticism	Investigates the economic and social structures contributing to internalized misogyny. Explores how literature reflects and critiques the impact of class dynamics on women’s roles, shaping their internalization of societal expectations.
Queer Theory	Examines how internalized misogyny intersects with issues of gender and sexual identity. Analyzes the portrayal of characters navigating societal expectations related to femininity and explores the impact on diverse gender identities.
Critical Race Theory	Considers the intersectionality of race and gender, exploring how internalized misogyny is shaped by cultural and racial contexts. Analyzes literature to understand the complexities of internalized biases within diverse cultural settings.
Deconstruction	Challenges fixed notions of gender and identity, offering a framework to critique and unravel the constructs of internalized misogyny in literature. Analyzes how language and representation contribute to the deconstruction of gender norms.

Each literary theory provides a unique perspective for examining the relevance of internalized misogyny in literature, shedding light on different aspects such as psychological motivations, cultural influences, and the intersections of gender with other social categories.

Internalized Misogyny: Application in Critiques

1. The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman: Analysis: Internalized misogyny is depicted through the protagonist’s acceptance of societal expectations regarding women’s roles. The narrator internalizes oppressive norms, leading to her descent into madness as she conforms to patriarchal ideals of femininity.
2. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood: Analysis: The novel explores the internalized misogyny within the oppressive society of Gilead. Women, conditioned by societal norms, participate in the subjugation of their own gender. Offred’s internal struggles illustrate the impact of ingrained misogyny on individual agency.
3. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen: Analysis: The characters in Austen’s novel navigate societal expectations, reflecting internalized misogyny of the time. Elizabeth Bennet challenges these norms, but other female characters, like Mrs. Bennett, exemplify the acceptance and perpetuation of traditional gender roles.
4. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath: Analysis: Plath’s novel delves into the protagonist’s internalized struggles with societal expectations for women. Esther Greenwood grapples with conforming to traditional roles, reflecting the damaging effects of internalized misogyny on mental health and self-perception.

These critiques highlight how internalized misogyny is intricately woven into the narratives, shaping characters’ experiences, choices, and mental well-being. The analysis explores the nuanced ways in which literature portrays and critiques the internalization of societal biases about women.

Internalized Misogyny: Relevant Terms

1. Self-Blame and Guilt: Attribution of personal shortcomings or deviations from societal expectations to one’s gender, leading to feelings of self-blame and guilt.
2. Stereotype Endorsement: Unconscious adoption and reinforcement of harmful stereotypes about women, perpetuating gender-based discrimination.
3. Body Image Issues: Negative perceptions of one’s body influenced by societal standards, resulting in concerns about physical appearance.
4. Undermining Other Women: Conscious or subconscious actions contributing to the marginalization of other women, hindering collective empowerment.
5. Internalized Sexism: Unconscious acceptance of sexist attitudes, contributing to self-subjugation through internalized societal norms.
6. Limiting Ambitions and Goals: Internalization of messages discouraging women from pursuing ambitious goals, reinforcing traditional gender roles.
7. Normalization of Abuse: Acceptance of abusive behaviors as normal or justified, perpetuating a culture downplaying gender-based violence.
8. Reluctance to Advocate: Subconscious hesitation to advocate for gender equality due to internalized beliefs about conforming to established gender roles.
9. Double Standards Acceptance: Acceptance of societal double standards subjecting women to harsher judgment, perpetuating gender-based disparities.
10. Fear of Femininity: Reluctance to embrace traditionally feminine qualities due to internalized beliefs about their inferiority or limitations.

Internalized Misogyny: Suggested Readings

1. de Beauvoir, Simone. The Second Sex. Vintage, 2011.
2. hooks, bell. The Feminine Mystique. Vintage, 2014.
3. Lorde, Audre. Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches. Crossing Press, 2007.
4. Wolf, Naomi. The Beauty Myth. Harper Perennial, 2002.
5. Valenti, Jessica. Full Frontal Feminism: A Young Woman’s Guide to Why Feminism Matters. Seal Press, 2007.