Patriarchy in Literature & Literary Theory

Etymology of Patriarchy

The term “patriarchy” has its etymological origins in the Greek words “patria,” meaning “father,” and “archein,” meaning “to rule” or “to govern.” This etymology underscores the central concept of male authority and control within familial, societal, and political contexts.

Patriarchy has played a pivotal role in shaping historical and sociocultural dynamics, with its roots deeply embedded in the past. It serves as a fundamental concept in feminist discourse, highlighting the pervasive nature of male dominance and the systemic inequities that have historically favored men across various facets of life, including family, politics, and economics.

As a critical and analytical term, patriarchy has been instrumental in identifying and dissecting power imbalances, contributing to a greater understanding of the structures that perpetuate gender-based discrimination and inequality.

Meanings of Patriarchy

Aspect	Meanings
Social Hierarchy	Patriarchy denotes a hierarchical social structure where men hold a disproportionate share of power and authority.
Gender Inequality	Patriarchy signifies a system characterized by gender inequality, favoring men in opportunities and resources.
Male Dominance	Patriarchy implies men’s dominance in relationships and households, with their opinions and choices carrying weight.
Gender Roles	Patriarchy establishes rigid gender roles and stereotypes, limiting individual freedom of expression.
Historical Context	Patriarchy has deep historical roots, shaping gender norms and expectations over centuries.
Reinforcement of Norms	Patriarchy reinforces traditional gender norms, leading to social and cultural pressures to conform.
Intersectionality	Patriarchy intersects with other oppressions

Definition of Patriarchy as a Theoretical Term

Patriarchy, as a theoretical term in academic discourse, refers to a social and political system characterized by the dominance of men in positions of power, authority, and influence across various facets of society.

It encompasses a hierarchical structure that perpetuates gender inequality, reinforcing traditional norms and roles that prioritize men while subordinating women. Scholars employ the concept of patriarchy to analyze and critique the systemic and historical manifestations of gender-based discrimination and oppression.

Patriarchy: Origin, Theorists, Works and Arguments

Origin:

• Patriarchy as a social concept has ancient origins, with roots in early human societies where male dominance became prevalent due to factors such as physical strength and division of labor.

Influential Theorists:

• Friedrich Engels: Engels, in collaboration with Karl Marx, explored the connection between patriarchy and capitalism in his work The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State, highlighting how property ownership influenced gender relations.
• Simone de Beauvoir: In The Second Sex, de Beauvoir examined the ways in which women have been historically oppressed and argued for the need to challenge patriarchal structures.
• Kate Millett: Millett’s Sexual Politics analyzed how patriarchy perpetuates gender inequalities through literature, politics, and culture.

Notable Works on Patriarchy:

• The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir: This seminal work delves into the cultural, psychological, and historical aspects of women’s oppression within patriarchal societies.
• The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State by Friedrich Engels: Engels discusses the connection between patriarchy and the emergence of private property and class divisions.
• Sexual Politics by Kate Millett: Millett critiques patriarchal norms and their impact on literature, politics, and society.

Key Arguments About Patriarchy:

• Gender Inequality: It perpetuates gender inequality by concentrating power and privilege in the hands of men, limiting opportunities for women in various spheres of life.
• Socialization and Gender Roles: It enforces rigid gender roles through socialization, dictating behaviors, occupations, and expectations based on one’s assigned gender.
• Intersectionality: It intersects with other forms of oppression (e.g., racism, classism), leading to unique challenges for individuals facing multiple forms of discrimination.
• Resistance and Change: Scholars argue that it is not static and can be challenged through activism, policy changes, and cultural shifts aimed at achieving gender equality.

Patriarchy and Literary Theories

1. It is central to feminist literary theory, which examines how literature reflects and reinforces gender inequalities and oppressive power structures. It explores how female characters are often depicted within patriarchal norms and how women writers have historically been marginalized.
2. Gender studies within literary theory analyze how patriarchal systems influence the construction of gender identity in literature. It delves into the portrayal of masculinity and femininity, gender roles, and how literature can challenge or perpetuate these norms.
3. In Marxist literary theory, it is examined in the context of class struggle and economic systems. It explores how capitalism and patriarchy intersect, with an emphasis on how property ownership and class dynamics reinforce gender inequalities.
4. Postcolonial theory often considers the impact of patriarchy in colonized societies. It explores how colonialism introduced or intensified patriarchal norms and how these systems intersect with other forms of oppression, such as racism and imperialism.
5. Psychoanalytic theory, particularly Sigmund Freud’s ideas, is used to analyze the representation of patriarchal authority figures, Oedipal complexes, and the dynamics of power and control in literature.
6. Queer theory examines how patriarchal norms reinforce heteronormativity and the marginalization of LGBTQ+ voices in literature. It explores how literature can challenge and subvert these norms.
7. Ecofeminist literary theory explores the connections between environmental issues and patriarchy. It considers how the exploitation of nature is often linked to the subjugation of women, and how literature can address these intersections.
8. Intersectional approaches within literary theory examine how patriarchy interacts with other forms of oppression, such as race, class, and sexuality, in the construction of characters and narratives in literature.
9. Postmodern literary theory may deconstruct and subvert traditional narratives and gender roles, challenging the conventions of patriarchy and offering alternative perspectives on power and identity.

Patriarchy in Literary Criticism

Literary Work	Description
“Daddy” by Sylvia Plath	Sylvia Plath’s poem “Daddy” is a poignant piece of confessional poetry that delves into the complex and fraught relationship between the speaker and her father. Through vivid and often surreal imagery, Plath explores the emotional and psychological consequences of a domineering father figure, weaving themes of oppression, loss, and rebirth into a powerful critique of patriarchal authority and its impact on the individual psyche.
“The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman	Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s short story, “The Yellow Wallpaper,” is a seminal work of feminist literature that vividly portrays the devastating effects of patriarchal control over women’s lives and mental health. Through the first-person narrative of a woman suffering from postpartum depression, Gilman exposes the constraints imposed by a patriarchal society on women’s autonomy and self-expression. The story serves as a critique of the medical and social practices that perpetuate the subjugation of women, using the metaphor of the deteriorating wallpaper to symbolize the protagonist’s descent into madness within the confines of a patriarchal domestic space.
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood	Margaret Atwood’s dystopian novel, The Handmaid’s Tale, offers a chilling portrayal of a theocratic society known as Gilead, where patriarchal control over women’s bodies and roles is taken to extremes. Through the eyes of the protagonist, Offred, the novel explores themes of reproductive oppression, gender-based violence, and the erasure of women’s agency. Atwood’s work serves as a stark warning about the consequences of patriarchal ideologies taken to their extreme and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of oppressive systems.
The Testaments (sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale) by Margaret Atwood	In The Testaments, Margaret Atwood continues her exploration of the patriarchal dystopia of Gilead, offering multiple perspectives, including those of women who have lived under its oppressive regime. The novel delves into the intricacies of resistance, the complicity of some women in upholding the system, and the complex web of power dynamics within a patriarchal society. Atwood’s sequel provides further depth to the examination of patriarchy and women’s struggles for autonomy and survival in a totalitarian regime.

Suggested Readings

1. hooks, bell. The Will to Change: Men, Masculinity, and Love. Washington Square Press, 2004.
2. Faludi, Susan. Backlash: The Undeclared War Against American Women. Crown, 1991.
3. Friedan, Betty. The Feminine Mystique. W.W. Norton, 1963.
4. Millett, Kate. Sexual Politics. University of Illinois Press, 2000.
5. Pateman, Carole. The Sexual Contract. Stanford University Press, 1988.
6. Plath, Sylvia. Ariel. Harper & Row, 1965.
7. Rich, Adrienne. Of Woman Born: Motherhood as Experience and Institution. W.W. Norton, 1976.
8. Walker, Alice. The Color Purple. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1982.
9. Woolf, Virginia. A Room of One’s Own. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1929.
10. Yalom, Marilyn. A History of the Wife. Harper Perennial, 2002.