Patriarchal Norms in Literature & Literary Theory

Patriarchal Norms: Etymology / Term, Meanings and Concept

Etymology / Term: The term “patriarchal” originates from the Greek words “patriarkhēs,” meaning “chief or head of a family,” and “arkhē,” meaning “rule or govern.” It refers to a social system where men hold primary power and dominate in roles of leadership, authority, and privilege. “Norms” in this context refer to societal standards or expectations that dictate acceptable behavior within a patriarchal system.

Meanings and Concept:

• Social Hierarchy: Patriarchal norms establish a hierarchical structure where men hold greater power and status than women, influencing decision-making processes and resource distribution within society.
• Gender Roles: These norms prescribe specific roles and behaviors based on gender, reinforcing traditional expectations such as women’s domestic responsibilities and men’s breadwinning duties.
• Systemic Oppression: Patriarchal norms perpetuate systemic oppression by marginalizing women and other marginalized genders, limiting their access to opportunities, resources, and representation.
• Intersectionality: Patriarchal norms intersect with other forms of oppression, such as racism, classism, and ableism, compounding marginalization for individuals who face multiple forms of discrimination.
• Resistance and Change: While patriarchal norms have deep historical roots, they are not immutable. Resistance movements and feminist activism seek to challenge and dismantle these norms, advocating for gender equality, intersectional justice, and the recognition of diverse gender identities and expressions.

Patriarchal Norms: Definition of a Theoretical Term

Patriarchal Norms can be defined as the societal standards, beliefs, and practices that prioritize and uphold the dominance of men in social, political, economic, and familial spheres. These norms reinforce a hierarchical structure where men hold primary power and authority, while women and other marginalized genders are systematically marginalized and oppressed. Patriarchal norms shape expectations regarding gender roles, behaviors, and relationships, perpetuating gender inequality and contributing to the maintenance of patriarchal systems.

Patriarchal Norms: Theorists, Works and Arguments

Theorists:

• Simone de Beauvoir: In her seminal work “The Second Sex,” de Beauvoir analyzes the ways in which patriarchal norms and structures perpetuate the subordination of women, arguing that women are historically defined in relation to men and constrained by societal expectations.
• Kate Millett: Millett’s book “Sexual Politics” explores how patriarchal norms are reinforced through literature, politics, and culture, perpetuating gender inequality and limiting women’s agency.
• bell hooks: Hooks’ work, including “Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center” and “The Will to Change: Men, Masculinity, and Love,” critiques patriarchal norms and their impact on both men and women, advocating for feminist consciousness-raising and transformative social change.
• Judith Butler: Butler’s theory of gender performativity, discussed in works like “Gender Trouble,” examines how patriarchal norms are enacted and reinforced through repetitive performances of gender identity, challenging the notion of fixed or essential gender categories.

Works:

• The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir
• Sexual Politics by Kate Millett
• Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center by bell hooks
• Gender Trouble by Judith Butler

Arguments:

• Structural Oppression: Theorists argue that patriarchal norms perpetuate structural oppression by privileging men and subordinating women and other marginalized genders in various aspects of society, including politics, economics, and culture.
• Gender Socialization: Patriarchal norms shape gender socialization processes, prescribing specific roles, behaviors, and expectations based on gender, which limit individual autonomy and perpetuate gender inequality.
• Intersectionality: Critics emphasize the intersectional nature of patriarchal norms, acknowledging that the experience of gender oppression is compounded by factors such as race, class, sexuality, and ability, which intersect to shape individuals’ experiences of privilege and marginalization.
• Resistance and Transformation: While patriarchal norms are deeply entrenched in society, theorists argue that resistance movements, feminist activism, and critical discourse offer pathways for challenging and transforming these norms, advocating for gender justice, equality, and the recognition of diverse gender identities and expressions.

Patriarchal Norms: Major Characteristics

1. Male Dominance: Patriarchy prioritizes the authority and power of men in various spheres of life, including politics, economics, and family structures. Men are often positioned as the primary decision-makers and leaders within society.
2. Gender Roles: These norms prescribe specific roles and behaviors based on gender, reinforcing traditional expectations such as women’s roles as caregivers and men’s roles as providers. Gender roles are often rigidly enforced, limiting individual autonomy and perpetuating gender inequality.
3. Hierarchy and Control: Patriarchy establishes a hierarchical structure where men hold greater status and privilege than women and other marginalized genders. This hierarchy is maintained through systems of control, including laws, customs, and social norms that reinforce male dominance.
4. Normalization of Violence: Patriarchy may normalize and condone various forms of violence, including domestic violence, sexual violence, and discrimination against women and gender minorities. Violence is often used as a tool to maintain power and control over marginalized groups.
5. Reproductive Regulation: Patriarchy exerts control over women’s bodies and reproductive rights, often through policies and practices that restrict access to contraception, abortion, and reproductive healthcare. This control reinforces traditional gender roles and limits women’s autonomy over their own bodies.
6. Resistance and Subversion: Despite the pervasive influence of patriary, there are ongoing efforts to resist and subvert these norms through feminist activism, advocacy, and cultural critique. These resistance movements aim to challenge gender inequality, promote gender justice, and create more inclusive and equitable societies.

Patriarchal Norms: Relevance in Literary Theories

Literary Theory	Relevance of Patriarchal Norms
Feminist Theory	Patriarchy is central to Feminist Theory, which critiques the dominance of male perspectives in literature and society, exploring how gender roles and power dynamics shape literary representation.
Postcolonial Theory	Patriarchal norms intersect with Postcolonial Theory by analyzing how colonialism perpetuated and reinforced gender hierarchies and stereotypes, examining the impact on colonized societies and literature.
Psychoanalytic Theory	Psychoanalytic Theory explores how patriarchal norms influence individual psychology and behavior, examining concepts like the Oedipus complex and the role of the father figure in shaping identity and desire.
Queer Theory	Patriarchal norms are examined in Queer Theory to understand their role in the construction and regulation of heterosexual norms and the marginalization of LGBTQ+ identities in literature and society.
Marxist Theory	Patriarchal norms intersect with Marxist Theory by analyzing how capitalism and patriarchy intersect to perpetuate social inequalities, particularly in relation to labor, property, and gender roles.
New Historicism	New Historicism examines how patriarchal norms are embedded in historical contexts, analyzing literary texts as products of specific power structures and ideologies that shape gender relations and representations.
Cultural Studies	Patriarchal norms are critiqued in Cultural Studies to understand how they are constructed and maintained through cultural practices and representations, exploring their impact on identity, ideology, and power.
Ecocriticism	Ecocriticism examines how patriarchal norms influence human interactions with the environment, analyzing how gendered representations of nature and ecological issues reflect and reinforce power imbalances.

Patriarchal Norms: Application in Critiques

1. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen: Patriarchy is evident in the societal expectations placed on women to marry for financial security rather than love. Critics may examine how characters like Mr. Bennet exert authority and control over their daughters’ lives, reflecting the gender hierarchies of the time. Elizabeth Bennet’s defiance of patriarchal expectations and her pursuit of personal agency can be analyzed as a critique of the constraints imposed by patriarchal society.
2. The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman: This story critiques patriarchy by portraying the protagonist‘s descent into madness as a result of her husband’s oppressive control and the confines of domesticity. Critics may explore how the male-dominated medical profession dismisses the protagonist’s suffering, reflecting broader attitudes towards women’s mental and emotional well-being. The yellow wallpaper itself serves as a symbol of the patriarchal forces that imprison and isolate women within domestic roles.
3. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood: Patriarchy are central to the dystopian society depicted in this novel, where women are oppressed and controlled by a totalitarian regime. Critics may analyze how patriarchy and religious fundamentalism are used to justify the subjugation of women, particularly through the system of reproductive control enforced upon the handmaids. The protagonist, Offred, navigates this oppressive society, offering a critique of patriarchal power structures and the erosion of women’s rights.
4. The Awakening by Kate Chopin: This novel critiques patriarchy through the protagonist, Edna Pontellier, who rebels against societal expectations of motherhood and marriage. Critics may examine how Edna’s awakening to her own desires and autonomy challenges the patriarchal constraints placed on women’s lives. The novel’s ambiguous ending, where Edna chooses freedom over societal conformity, invites readers to consider the consequences of resisting patriarchal norms in a society that enforces them rigidly.

Patriarchal Norms: Relevant Terms

Theoretical Term	Brief Description
Gender Roles	Social expectations tied to masculinity and femininity.
Sexism	Discrimination based on sex or gender.
Androcentrism	Centering male perspectives and values in society.
Heteronormativity	Assumption of heterosexuality as the norm.
Misogyny	Hatred or prejudice against women.
Male Gaze	Objectification of women in media from a male viewpoint.
Hegemonic Masculinity	Dominant, idealized form of masculinity reinforcing patriarchy.
Gender Binary	Classification of gender into male and female categories.
Patriarchy	Social system where men hold primary power and authority.
Toxic Masculinity	Harmful traits associated with traditional masculinity.

Patriarchal Norms: Suggested Readings

1. Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. Penguin Classics, 2003.
2. Chopin, Kate. The Awakening. Dover Publications, 1993.
3. Gilman, Charlotte Perkins. The Yellow Wallpaper. Dover Publications, 1997.
4. Atwood, Margaret. The Handmaid’s Tale. Anchor Books, 1998.
5. hooks, bell. The Will to Change: Men, Masculinity, and Love. Washington Square Press, 2004.
6. Butler, Judith. Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion of Identity. Routledge, 2006.
7. Connell, R.W. Masculinities. University of California Press, 2005.
8. de Beauvoir, Simone. The Second Sex. Vintage Books, 2011.
9. Faludi, Susan. Backlash: The Undeclared War Against American Women. Crown, 2006.
10. Smith, Dorothy E. The Everyday World as Problematic: A Feminist Sociology. Northeastern University Press, 1987.