Which of the following are basic issues in feminist literary criticism?

1. A. Women are trapped in the 'prison-house' of a male-centred language.
2. B. Gender equality is just an idea and largely unachievable.
3. C. Society is largely entrenched in patriarchal ideology.
4. D. Sex and gender cannot be treated as distinct categories.
5. E. A single universal feminism is the remedy for historical subjugation.

1. A(A) and (D) only
2. B(A) and (E) only
3. C(A) and (C) only
4. D(B) and (D) only

Pick an option to check yourself, or open the answer below.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C. (A) and (C) only

Explanation

French feminists (Cixous, Irigaray) argue that language is phallogocentric, and patriarchy is feminism's founding premise. Feminism distinguishes biological sex from social gender, and rejects a single universal feminism in favour of intersectional ones.