“Sexual Politics And Critical Judgment” by Elizabeth A. Meese: Summary and Critique

Introduction: “Sexual Politics And Critical Judgment” by Elizabeth A. Meese

“Sexual Politics and Critical Judgment” by Elizabeth A. Meese first appeared in the 1985 collection “After Strange Texts.” This essay has been instrumental in shaping the field of feminist literary theory, as it incisively analyzes the ways in which gender and sexuality intersect with literary criticism. Meese argues that traditional critical approaches have often been biased towards male-dominated narratives, neglecting the contributions of women writers and the significance of gendered perspectives within literature.

 Summary of “Sexual Politics And Critical Judgment” by Elizabeth A. Meese

• Critique of Established Literary Standards: Elizabeth A. Meese discusses how established literary standards predominantly serve a white, male elite culture. Leslie Fiedler’s observation is cited, noting that the literature taught and valued in English departments forms a closed circle that often excludes diverse voices and perspectives. “We all know in our hearts that literature is effectively what we teach in departments of English; or conversely what we teach in departments of English is literature.”
• Role of Interpretive Communities: Meese explores Stanley Fish’s concept of interpretive communities, asserting that these communities often act as gatekeepers, deciding what constitutes valid literature and critical judgment. This control over literary evaluation enforces a bias that can exclude or marginalize non-traditional perspectives, particularly from a feminist viewpoint. “A strong insider-outsider dynamic, taking the form of a gender-based literary tribalism, comes into play as a means of control.”
• Feminist Criticism’s Challenge to Traditional Criticism: The essay argues that feminist criticism should not only challenge the subjective nature of critical judgments but also the very structures that dictate these judgments. Feminist criticism aims to transform how literature is understood and valued, challenging the dominance of traditional, often patriarchal views. “Feminist criticism is a monumental undertaking which involves changing the very structure/sex of knowledge.”
• Poststructuralism and Ideology: Meese mentions the role of poststructuralism in critiquing the ideological underpinnings of traditional criticism. However, she argues that while poststructuralism has initiated critical discussions, it has not yet fully overturned the hierarchies present in critical discourse, which continue to resist diversifications like feminist, black, and Marxist criticisms. “Just as the masters are never obliged to learn the language of the slave, the hierarchy of critical communities will continue to resist feminist, black, and Marxist criticism.”
• Political Implications of Criticism: Meese aligns with Michel Foucault’s ideas on the politics of truth. She emphasizes that criticism is inherently political, not merely an intellectual or aesthetic exercise. Truth and knowledge are shaped by those in power, and changing this dynamic is a key challenge for feminist criticism. “The essential political problem for the intellectual is … that of ascertaining the possibility of constituting a new politics of truth.”
• Need for a New Critical Language: Meese ends with a call for a new language and approach in literature and criticism that moves beyond traditional patriarchal narratives. Citing Luce Irigaray, she suggests that only by fundamentally changing the language and stories of criticism can true transformation occur. “If we continue to speak the same language to each other, we will reproduce the same story. Begin the same stories all over again.”

Literary Terms/Concepts in “Sexual Politics And Critical Judgment” by Elizabeth A. Meese

Term/Concept	Definition	Example/Explanation from the Essay
Interpretive Community	A group of readers or critics sharing similar values and approaches to interpreting texts.	Meese discusses how interpretive communities maintain power by controlling which interpretations and texts are deemed valid.
Feminist Criticism	A critical approach that examines texts and literary practices from a feminist perspective.	The essay advocates for feminist criticism to challenge and change the male-dominated critical landscape.
Poststructuralism	A movement in literary theory that suggests structures and language create meaning rather than merely reflect reality.	Meese references poststructuralism as initiating critiques of traditional critical hierarchies but not yet dismantling them.
Epistemology	The study of knowledge, its nature, and verification.	The essay argues for a change in the epistemological foundations of literary criticism, integrating feminist perspectives.
Hegemony	Dominance of one group over others, often supported by legitimating norms within a social structure.	Meese critiques the hegemonic control of traditional, male-dominated critical communities over literary standards.
Phallogocentrism	A term used in critical theory referring to the privileging of masculine (phallic) ways of thinking and logocentric (focused on clear, logical expression) attitudes.	The essay calls for an end to phallogocentric structures in criticism, advocating for new ways of thinking and expressing.
Paradigm	A typical example or pattern of something; a model.	Meese talks about challenging and shifting the existing paradigms of literary criticism to include feminist perspectives.

Contribution of “Sexual Politics And Critical Judgment” by Elizabeth A. Meese to Literary Theory/Theories

Literary Theory	Contribution of “Sexual Politics and Critical Judgment”
Feminist Criticism	Meese’s essay directly addresses the gender bias in literary criticism, arguing that traditional approaches often privilege male-dominated narratives. It highlights the importance of considering gender perspectives in the interpretation of literature and calls for a more inclusive canon.
New Historicism	Meese’s work aligns with New Historicism’s focus on the historical and cultural contexts of literary texts. She emphasizes the role of power dynamics, including gender, in shaping literary production and reception.
Poststructuralism	Meese’s critique of the “authoritative community” in literary criticism echoes poststructuralist ideas about the instability of meaning and the power of language. Her essay challenges the notion of a fixed or objective interpretation, highlighting the subjective and political nature of critical judgment.
Cultural Studies	Meese’s analysis of the cultural and political factors influencing literary criticism aligns with Cultural Studies’ focus on the intersection of literature with broader social and historical forces. She demonstrates how literary value is shaped by cultural norms and power structures.

Examples of Critiques Through “Sexual Politics And Critical Judgment” by Elizabeth A. Meese

Literary Work	Critique Through Meese’s Lens
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë	Meese might argue that Jane Eyre reinforces traditional gender roles and stereotypes, particularly in its depiction of Jane’s dependence on male figures. The novel could be criticized for its portrayal of women as passive objects of desire and for its emphasis on romantic love as the ultimate fulfillment for women.
Paradise Lost by John Milton	Meese could analyze Paradise Lost through a feminist lens, focusing on the gendered power dynamics between Adam and Eve. She might critique the poem’s portrayal of Eve as the cause of humanity’s fall, perpetuating harmful stereotypes about women’s sexuality and agency.
Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf	Meese might praise Woolf’s novel for its exploration of women’s inner lives and its challenge to traditional gender roles. However, she could also critique the novel for its limited representation of women’s experiences, focusing primarily on the upper-class and ignoring the struggles of women from marginalized backgrounds.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald	Meese could analyze The Great Gatsby through a feminist lens, focusing on the portrayal of women as objects of desire and their limited agency within the patriarchal society depicted in the novel. She might critique the novel for its emphasis on material wealth and social status as markers of success, which can be harmful to women’s aspirations.

Criticism Against “Sexual Politics And Critical Judgment” by Elizabeth A. Meese

• Overemphasis on Ideology: Critics might argue that Meese places too much emphasis on ideological factors, potentially overlooking the aesthetic and literary merits of texts. This could be seen as diminishing the value of literary works by primarily viewing them through a political lens.
• Generalization of Interpretive Communities: Meese’s characterization of interpretive communities could be criticized for oversimplification. Critics might argue that she portrays these communities as monolithic and uniformly oppressive, which may not account for the diversity and complexity within them.
• Feasibility of Proposed Changes: Some might question the practicality of the sweeping changes Meese advocates for in literary criticism. Critics could argue that her proposals for transforming the structures of criticism are idealistic and may not be achievable within the current academic and cultural frameworks.
• Potential for New Exclusions: While advocating for inclusion, Meese’s call for a radically new form of feminist criticism could, paradoxically, lead to new forms of exclusion. Critics might worry that such a shift could marginalize those who do not align perfectly with the new feminist critical paradigm.
• Ambiguity in Feminist Critique: There may be criticism regarding the specificity and clarity of what constitutes feminist criticism in Meese’s framework. Critics might argue that without clear definitions, feminist criticism risks becoming as exclusionary and prescriptive as the traditions it seeks to replace.
• Reliance on Poststructuralist Theory: Meese’s heavy reliance on poststructuralist theory could be seen as problematic, especially given that poststructuralism itself has been critiqued for its often dense, inaccessible language and its sometimes abstract detachment from real-world issues.
• Impact on Literary Scholarship: Critics from more traditional schools of literary criticism might argue that Meese’s approach undermines the disciplinary integrity of literary studies by prioritizing political and social agendas over literary analysis and appreciation.

Suggested Readings: “Sexual Politics And Critical Judgment” by Elizabeth A. Meese

1. Butler, Judith. Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion of Identity. Routledge, 1990.
2. Culler, Jonathan. Literary Theory: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford UP, 1997.
3. Eagleton, Terry. Feminist Literary Theory: A Reader. Wiley-Blackwell, 3rd ed., 2011.
4. Fish, Stanley. Is There a Text in This Class? The Authority of Interpretive Communities. Harvard UP, 1980.
5. Fiedler, Leslie A., and Houston A. Baker, Jr., editors. Opening Up the Canon: Selected Papers from the English Institute, 1979. Johns Hopkins UP, 1981.
6. Foucault, Michel. The Archaeology of Knowledge and the Discourse on Language. Pantheon Books, 1972.
7. Irigaray, Luce. This Sex Which Is Not One. Translated by Catherine Porter, Cornell UP, 1985.

Representative Quotations from “Sexual Politics And Critical Judgment” by Elizabeth A. Meese with Explanation

Quotation	Explanation
“We all know in our hearts that literature is effectively what we teach in departments of English…”	This quote reflects the circular nature of literature as defined by academic institutions, suggesting a self-reinforcing system that may exclude diverse voices or innovative interpretations.
“A strong insider-outsider dynamic, taking the form of a gender-based literary tribalism, comes into play…”	Meese highlights the exclusionary practices within literary criticism, emphasizing how gender biases contribute to maintaining an insider group that holds power over literary standards.
“The interpretive community is really the ‘authoritative community’.”	This statement critiques the notion of interpretive communities by revealing them as closed groups with the authority to define acceptable interpretations, often excluding feminist and other critical voices.
“Out of commitment to the illusion of objectivity, they miss an essential distinction…”	Meese criticizes the mainstream literary community for claiming objectivity while overlooking the biases and subjective foundations of their own critical judgments.
“The authority of the mainstream literary tradition could be seriously threatened.”	This quote reflects the perceived danger to traditional literary authority when diverse or feminist interpretations challenge established norms.
“Art is what white people do. All other people are ‘propagandists’.”	Citing Ishmael Reed, Meese underscores the racial and cultural biases in defining what is considered “art,” pointing out the discriminatory labeling faced by non-white authors.
“Feminist criticism is a monumental undertaking which involves changing the very structure/sex of knowledge.”	Here, Meese defines feminist criticism as an effort to fundamentally alter the foundations of how knowledge is structured and understood in literary studies.
“Truth does not hold an independent relationship to systems of power.”	Aligning with Foucault’s ideas, this quote challenges the notion of an objective “truth” in literature, arguing that truth is intertwined with and often manipulated by prevailing power structures.
“It’s not a matter of emancipating truth from every system of power…”	This quote, referencing Foucault, emphasizes the necessity of understanding and disentangling the power dynamics that shape what is accepted as truth in literary criticism.
“If we continue to speak the same language to each other, we will reproduce the same story.”	Quoting Luce Irigaray, Meese advocates for a new language and approach in criticism to break away from patriarchal narratives and foster genuine change in how literature is interpreted and valued.