Description
Book SynopsisFrench Feminism Reader is a collection of essays representing the authors and issues from French theory most influential in the American context. The book is designed for use in courses, and it includes illuminating introductions to the work of each author. These introductions include biographical information, influences and intellectual context, major themes in the author''s work as a whole, and specific introductions to the selections in this volume. The contributors represent the two trends in French theory that have proven most useful to American feminists: social theory and psychoanalytic theory. Both of these trends move away from any traditional discussions of nature toward discussions of socially constructed notions of sex, sexuality and gender roles. While feminists interested in social theory focus on the ways in which social institutions shape these notions, feminists interested in psychoanalytic theory focus on cultural representations of sex, sexuality and gender roles, an
Trade ReviewA useful volume with careful and detailed introduction to each extract. * Times Literary Supplement *
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Preface: French Feminism in an American Context Chapter 2 Acknowledgments Chapter 3 One Is Not Born a Woman Chapter 4 Beauvoir and Feminism Chapter 5 Sex and Gender Chapter 6 Sex and Race Are Not Natural Chapter 7 A Lesbian Is Not A Woman Chapter 8 Maternity, Feminism, and Language Chapter 9 There Are Two Sexes, Not One Chapter 10 Feminine Writing and Women's Difference Chapter 11 Index Chapter 12 About the Author
