Empowerment in Literature & Literary Theory

Empowerment: Etymology, Meanings and Concept

Etymology/Term:

The term “empowerment” traces its linguistic roots to the mid-17th century, derived from the Old English word “im-,” meaning ‘in’ or ‘into,’ and “power,” indicating the act of conferring authority or enabling individuals. Initially used in legal contexts, the term has evolved over time to encompass a broader sense of granting autonomy, strength, and confidence to individuals or communities.

Meanings and Concept:

• Individual: Refers to the process of enhancing an individual’s abilities, confidence, and agency, enabling them to take control of their own life, make informed decisions, and pursue personal goals.
• Social : Involves the collective strengthening of marginalized or disadvantaged groups within society, promoting equal access to resources, opportunities, and rights.
• Economic: Focuses on providing individuals or communities with the means to achieve economic self-sufficiency, often through education, skill development, and access to financial resources.
• Political: Entails fostering the ability of individuals or groups to participate in decision-making processes, advocate for their rights, and engage in civic activities to influence political structures.
• Psychological: Encompasses the development of self-esteem, self-efficacy, and a sense of control over one’s circumstances, contributing to mental and emotional well-being.

It as a multifaceted concept, emphasizes the enhancement of capabilities and the removal of barriers that hinder individuals or communities from realizing their full potential and exercising control over their lives.

Empowerment: Definition of a Theoretical Term

Empowerment, as a theoretical term, denotes the process of equipping individuals or communities with the tools, resources, and mindset to assert control over their own lives and overcome systemic barriers. It involves fostering a sense of agency, autonomy, and self-efficacy, enabling individuals to make informed decisions, set and achieve goals, and actively participate in societal processes. The concept emphasizes a transformative approach, aiming to redistribute power dynamics, promote inclusivity, and enhance the overall well-being and capacity for self-determination within the empowered entities.

Empowerment: Theorists, Works and Argument

Feminist Empowerment:

• Theorists: bell hooks and Audre Lorde.
• Works and Arguments: bell hooks’ “Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center” (1984) and Audre Lorde’s “Sister Outsider” (1984) contribute to feminist empowerment theories, emphasizing the intersectionality of oppressions and the importance of empowering women from various social backgrounds.

Community Empowerment:

• Theorists: Paulo Freire and Robert D. Putnam.
• Works and Arguments: Paulo Freire’s “Pedagogy of the Oppressed” (1968) and Robert D. Putnam’s “Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community” (2000) explore the empowerment of communities through education, social capital, and collective action.

Psychological Empowerment:

• Theorists: Julian Rappaport and Albert Bandura.
• Works and Arguments: Julian Rappaport’s psychological empowerment theory and Albert Bandura’s social cognitive theory contribute to understanding how individuals can develop a sense of control, self-efficacy, and resilience, promoting psychological empowerment.

Critical Empowerment:

• Theorists: Paolo Freire and Henry Giroux.
• Works and Arguments: Henry Giroux’s “Education and the Crisis of Public Values” (2005) builds on critical pedagogy, aligning with Paulo Freire’s work, to examine how education can be a tool for critical consciousness and empowerment, particularly within marginalized communities.

Corporate Empowerment:

• Theorists: Rosabeth Moss Kanter and Peter Senge.
• Works and Arguments: Rosabeth Moss Kanter’s “Men and Women of the Corporation” (1977) and Peter Senge’s “The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of the Learning Organization” (1990) discuss empowerment within corporate structures, emphasizing the role of leadership and organizational culture in fostering employee empowerment.

These theorists and their works contribute to diverse perspectives on empowerment, spanning feminist, community, psychological, critical, and corporate contexts, providing insights into the multifaceted nature of empowerment theories.

Empowerment: Major Characteristics

1. Autonomy and Self-Determination:
   • It involves promoting individuals’ ability to make independent decisions, exercise control over their lives, and pursue their goals with a sense of self-determination.
2. Access to Resources and Opportunities:
   • It entails providing access to educational, economic, and social resources, ensuring that individuals have the tools and opportunities necessary for personal and collective growth.
3. Participation and Inclusivity:
   • Empowerment emphasizes active involvement in decision-making processes, encouraging participation in societal structures, and promoting inclusivity to ensure diverse voices are heard and considered.
4. Capacity Building:
   • It involves the development of skills, knowledge, and capabilities to enable individuals or communities to overcome challenges, navigate complexities, and respond effectively to opportunities.
5. Equity and Social Justice:
   • Empowerment strives to address systemic inequalities and injustices, advocating for fairness and equal opportunities, particularly for marginalized or disadvantaged groups.
6. Collaboration and Collective Action:
   • Empowerment often involves fostering collaboration and collective action, recognizing the strength that comes from unified efforts toward shared goals within communities or social movements.
7. Critical Consciousness:
   • It encourages the development of critical thinking and awareness, enabling individuals to analyze and challenge existing power structures, social norms, and systemic barriers.
8. Sustainable Change:
   • Empowerment seeks to bring about lasting and sustainable change by addressing root causes of oppression, fostering resilience, and promoting enduring shifts in attitudes, behaviors, and societal structures.
9. Positive Self-Image and Well-Being:
   • Empowerment contributes to the cultivation of positive self-esteem, self-efficacy, and overall well-being, recognizing the importance of mental and emotional strength.
10. Adaptability and Flexibility:
    • Given the dynamic nature of empowerment, it involves the ability to adapt to changing circumstances, learn from experiences, and evolve strategies for continued growth and resilience.

These characteristics collectively form the foundation of empowerment, emphasizing its multidimensional and context-dependent nature in promoting positive change and self-actualization.

Empowerment: Relevance in Literary Theories

Literary Theory	Relevance to Empowerment
Feminist Criticism	Examines the portrayal of gender roles, empowering others is relevant in analyzing how literature can challenge or reinforce traditional power dynamics and contribute to the empowerment of women.
Postcolonialism	Focuses on the aftermath of colonialism, empowering others is pertinent in exploring narratives that depict resistance, identity reclamation, and the empowerment of formerly colonized individuals and cultures.
Marxist Criticism	Explores social class structures, empowering others is relevant in evaluating how literature reflects or challenges economic inequalities and the potential for characters or communities to achieve social and economic empowerment.
Psychoanalytic Theory	Analyzes the psychological motivations of characters, empowering them is relevant in understanding how literature can depict characters overcoming internal conflicts, gaining self-confidence, and achieving psychological empowerment.
Reader-Response Theory	Emphasizes the role of the reader in interpreting meaning, empowering them is relevant in exploring how readers engage with texts that inspire a sense of agency, self-reflection, or activism, contributing to their personal empowerment.
Cultural Studies	Examines the intersection of culture and power, empowering is relevant in analyzing how literature can challenge cultural norms, empower marginalized voices, and contribute to cultural shifts that promote equity and inclusivity.

These literary theories provide distinct lenses through which the theme of empowering othrs in literature can be analyzed, addressing various aspects of power dynamics, social structures, identity, and individual agency.

Empowerment: Application in Critiques

1. The Power by Naomi Alderman (2016):

• Empowerment Critique: Explore the novel’s speculative premise where women develop the ability to generate electrical energy, analyzing how this newfound power reshapes gender dynamics and societal structures, and considering the consequences of empowering them in the narrative.

2. Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (2006):

• Empowerment Critique: Examine the impact of the Nigerian Civil War on characters within the novel, exploring how individuals navigate the challenges of conflict, loss, and political upheaval, and assessing moments of personal and collective empowerment.

3. Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (2003):

• Empowerment Critique: Focus on the protagonist Kambili’s journey toward self-discovery and empowerment in the context of her oppressive family environment, analyzing how she navigates familial expectations and finds her voice.

4. Beloved by Toni Morrison (1987):

• Empowerment Critique: Explore the novel’s exploration of the psychological and emotional impact of slavery, highlighting how characters confront trauma, reclaim their identities, and seek empowerment in the face of historical oppression.

Empowerment: Relevant Terms

Literary Term	Brief Description
Agency	The capacity of characters or entities in a narrative to take independent and purposeful actions.
Character Development	The evolution and growth of characters over the course of a story, often involving increased agency and self-awareness.
Empowerment Narrative	A storyline that focuses on characters gaining strength, confidence, and control over their lives.
Resistance Literature	Literary works that depict characters or groups challenging oppressive systems and striving for power.
Quest Narrative	A storyline in which characters embark on a journey, facing challenges and acquiring personal growth and empowering others along the way.
Identity Formation	The process through which characters shape their sense of self, often involving moments of empowering and self-discovery.
Coming-of-Age Story	Narratives that explore the transition from adolescence to adulthood, often involving themes of empowering and self-realization.
Transformational Arc	The narrative progression wherein characters undergo significant changes, often leading to increased agency or empowering others.
Resilient Characters	Characters who demonstrate strength and adaptability in the face of adversity, contributing to themes of empowering communities and characters.
Dystopian Rebellion	Literary settings where characters resist oppressive regimes, showcasing narratives of empowering through collective action.

Empowerment: Suggested Readings

1. Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi. Half of a Yellow Sun. Anchor Books, 2007.
2. Alderman, Naomi. The Power. Little, Brown and Company, 2016.
3. Atwood, Margaret. The Handmaid’s Tale. Anchor Books, 1998.
4. Freire, Paulo. Pedagogy of the Oppressed. Bloomsbury Academic, 2018.
5. hooks, bell. Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center. South End Press, 1984.
6. Lorde, Audre. Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches. Crossing Press, 2007.
7. Morrison, Toni. Beloved. Vintage, 2004.
8. Senge, Peter M. The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of the Learning Organization. Doubleday, 2006.
9. Wright, Quincy. A Study of War. University of Chicago Press, 1942.
10. Zimbardo, Philip. The Lucifer Effect: Understanding How Good People Turn Evil. Random House, 2007.