Feminist Perspective Research Articles

Edna's Struggle Against Oppressions in The Awakening

This study explores Edna Pontellier's struggle against societal oppressions in Kate Chopin's novel, The Awakening. Edna's quest for self-discovery and liberation from the constraints of late 19th-century societal norms is analyzed through the lens of feminist perspectives. This paper argues that Edna's unconventional behavior signifies a profound challenge to patriarchal norms, emphasizing her pursuit of identity and autonomy. Edna emerges as a symbol of resistance against societal expectations, seeking personal freedom amidst oppressive forces. Furthermore, the study explores the influence of characters like Adele Ratignolle and Mademoiselle Reisz on Edna's journey, highlighting contrasting paths of womanhood and autonomy.

Reimagining Feminism and Gender Relations in Saudi Arabia: A New Theoretical Framework

This article seeks a deeper understanding of the issues Arab women face in the Arab world and their rights. It is set in a framework that considers the context of these rights and issues. Whilst women throughout the Arab world often share similar experiences, there is variation, and this article focuses mainly on the experience of Saudi women. Theoretical feminist and interdisciplinary approaches analyse and highlight diverse perspectives in seeking a more profound understanding of women's rights, roles, status, challenges, and achievements. They also expose the various feminist paradigms underlying the theoretical framework. The study emphasises the importance of recognising the unique experiences of Arab women, respecting cultural differences, and avoiding universalisation and homogenisation of gender. It highlights the value of integrating feminist and postcolonial theoretical perspectives to comprehend better the complexities surrounding Saudi women's study. It also emphasises the contextualisation of literary works within local environments to provide a deep understanding of women's evolving roles, rights, and status contributions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Ultimately, the study aims to bridge the academic gap between English and Arabic scholarship in the representation of Saudi women.

My Path to Recovery From Gender-Based Violence: Elusive, Victimized, or Agentive Position.

This article analyzes 10 autobiographical narratives of women who had experienced intimate relationship violence. In these narratives, we find several positions, that come from master narratives. These positions have some effects on the construction of subjectivities and on the process of recovery or redefinition of identity. The positions are (a) elusive, (b) victimized, and (c) agentive. The purpose of this article is to describe and analyze, from a feminist perspective, the position and subjectivity of women who suffer violence to address the prevention and treatment of this problem that affects individuals and society.

Role and the Untold Stories of the Women in Power in the Epic Mahabharata

This paper provides an overview of existing research papers analysing "Palace of Illusions" by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. It highlights key findings and contributions of these studies, which explore various aspects of the novel, including its feminist perspective, narrative techniques, cultural representation, and character analysis. Through close textual analysis and theoretical frameworks such as feminism, postcolonialism, and psychology, scholars investigate how Divakaruni reimagines traditional mythology, crafts her narrative, navigates cultural complexities, and portrays the character of Draupadi. The paper concludes by suggesting avenues for further research to deepen our understanding of this captivating work and its significance within Indian literature, feminism, and postcolonial discourse.

Watching Photographs: Inhabiting a Queer Feminist Perspective to Contest Reproductions of the ‘Refugee Crisis’

ABSTRACT Journalists have claimed that the 2015 European ‘refugee crisis’ is one of the most photographed crises in human history. It is important to understand what kind of messages these photographs convey, how they reproduce the hegemonic narrative, and how they become commodities. In this paper, we critique the visual economy of the ‘refugee crisis’ from a queer feminist perspective through the lens of reproduction. We show how the reproduction of images of ‘refugees’ is structured by, and naturalises reproductive heteronormativity, amongst other institutions, which we argue is essential to the functioning of bordered nation-states: the figure of the refugee is reproduced as presumptively heterosexual, and as reproductive. We focus on watching photographic images because, as we have seen over the past six years, through the use and control of photography, states seek to generate consent to the necropolitical management of ‘crisis’, to the undeclared war against refugees. We argue that by watching photographs, as opposed to merely looking at them, we can inhabit a queer feminist perspective that seeks to abolish state-imposed divisions between ‘refugees’, ‘migrants’, and ‘citizens’.

Asbab Al-Wurud as an Approach to Understanding the Purpose of Hadith (Maqasid Al-Sunnah) in a Wasatiyyah and Balanced Way that is Practiced in Contemporary Society

Objective: The understanding and implementation of the Hadith, as the second main source in Islam, should align with the intended purpose and message delivered by the Hadith to its audience. To preserve the peace of humanity, one of these qualities involves being balanced, moderate, and not extreme. Currently, there are still a significant number of Muslims who excessively adhere to the Hadith of the Prophet, exhibit harsh behavior from a liberal perspective, or solely rely on logical reasoning. Theoretical framework: This article seeks to elucidate the application of maqasid al-Sunnah in the interpretation of the Hadith of the Prophet SAW, employing the methodologies established by renowned scholars as well as the method of asbab al-wurud in a balanced and moderate manner. Method: This article uses content analysis to examine discussions on the method of asbab al-wurud as an approach to maqasid al-sunnah. This method is used to interpret hadith in a comprehensive and balanced way. Results and Discussion: Attaining equilibrium and unity in life is one of the primary objectives of the observance of the Hadith of the Prophet. To achieve this objective, it is necessary to comprehend the Nabawi Hadith in a straightforward and equitable manner, aligning with its intended purpose and objective. The understanding and interpretation of a hadith, as well as its transmission to the listener, can be obtained by consulting the scholarly opinions of the Salf al-Salih and considering the asbab al-Wurud. Conclusion: The concept of maqasid al-sunnah, when understood through the lens of the ultimate hadith and the application of the method of asbab al-wurud, allows for a more comprehensive and balanced comprehension of a hadith. This approach ensures that the hadith is interpreted in a manner that is in line with the conditions of the current times and places, and is accepted by all Muslims. This strategy enables the effective management and regulation of extreme, excessively literal, and radical comprehension, resulting in the attainment of peace and well-being for all of humanity.

Hagar’s spirituality prior to and after captivity: An African and gendered perspective

This study is an exploration of the Hagar narrative from the perspective of African Womanist Theology. The article focuses on the spirituality of Hagar before and after her captivity (Gn 16). The research takes an Afrocentric perspective and uses a postcolonial lens to comment on the preceding text as well as consider how this story is captured in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. At the core of the article is an attempt at reclaiming the African in Hagar who is largely portrayed in the stories of Sarah and Abraham within a Hebrew perspective which itself is arguably imperial. The aim is to inspire modern African women (and in the diaspora) to reclaim their African spirituality within their stories and experiences. Summarily, the article is a critique of the colonial project, slavery and its legacies in dehumanising and disenfranchising people and African knowledge systems. The article is structured as follows: firstly, it introduces the Hagar and/or Hajar traditions from the perspectives of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Secondly, it takes a step back to consider Hagar’s identity as an Egyptian princess before she encountered Sarah and Abraham. The article also discusses how Hagar’s past in Egypt had a bearing on her spiritual encounters when she and her son Ishmael and/or Ismail were exiled. Finally, the article concludes with a recommendation for continued reflection on an African spirituality narrative of the Hagar traditions alongside the predominant narratives from Abrahamic religions.Contribution: This article demonstrates that the religious scriptures must be read from liberation perspectives such as the postcolonial paradigm to inspire the recovery of authentic experiences of the oppressed and displaced, and it is an inspiration to African women to reclaim their true identity and spirituality.

‘There’s nowhere for us’: spatial and scalar experiences of judgement amongst young women in the UK

ABSTRACT This paper addresses girls and young women’s experiences of spatial forms of judgement in the public spaces of their local areas. It posits the feminist question: what is the relationship between judgement, gender, youth, and the material realities that make up the public realm? Findings are derived from two seven-week long peer research projects on public space and gender with 13 individuals aged 16–27 who identified as young women from Trowbridge, Crewe, and London (UK). We suggest that young women do not only experience judgement interpersonally but as a physical material reality that permeates their daily lives on various scales from the objects that compose the public realm – a bench; to delineated spaces – a playground; to whole networks of spaces – the high street. Through these three scales, we argue that physical manifestations of judgement – far from being innocuous or subtle – shape the geographies that young women occupy and their affective experiences of public space. These experiences should not be viewed as totalising, however; young women navigate such realities and in many cases adopt techniques to overcome them. Using an intersectional feminist perspective, our paper argues that gender is not only inherent to the built environment but constituted through its material realities. We respond to both a recent push amongst feminist academics to draw attention to the inequalities wrought in the physicality of place; and a longstanding neglect within urbanism, planning, design, and feminism to address meaningfully youths, especially young women, and their experiences of – and exclusions from – public space.

Masking the Inner-Killjoy: A Critical Feminist Perspective on Police Research

Masking the Inner-Killjoy: A Critical Feminist Perspective on Police Research

I Am in Prison, Making Batik, and You Are Visiting Me

AbstractThis article contributes to the literature on interreligious engagement in prison from the perspective of Christian religious educational and missional ministry. It uses a case study conducted in the Class IIA Women's Correctional Institution in Semarang, Indonesia. In Indonesia, educational and missional ministry in prisons plays a vital role in supporting prison services. This ministry is understood as part of the Christian mandate to serve those in prison, regardless of their religion. Though spiritual development for Christian inmates is also essential, it is important to consider a comprehensive interreligious engagement programme that includes art, creativity, and imagination, including batik‐making. Using a postcolonial feminist perspective, this article proposes practices relevant to prison ministry, especially for female inmates. The practices are both educational and missional. We call the interconnection between the educational and missional a liberating third space – a space of interreligious engagement that is relevant for female inmates in Indonesia.

“Boasa Hami Ingkon Gabe Sipangoloi?” Eksistensi Perempuan Batak Dalam Film Ngeri-Ngeri Sedap

Women existence is often in an ambiguous position. Women are sometimes acknowledged for their existence, but on the other hand they are also often looked down. The culture have a significant influence on understanding a woman's existence. One of them is in Batak culture, the hierarcy pattern between men and women is very thick with patrilineal elements and this is very detrimental to the existence of women in their lifes. Batak women's efforts to find their existence are often seen as a form of resistance to patriarchal culture. This is what ultimately results in women being asked to be 'obedient' figures in the sense of obeying all orders and even depending on men. This paper will look at how the existence of women in an existentialist feminist perspective, especially from Beauvoir's point of view. Existentialist feminists will dismantle the patrilineal element and reconstruct it so that the existence of women, especially Batak, is not always under the influence of men. Batak women also have the autonomous right to express opinions, to be heard, to be empowered and to dream their goals.Keywords: existence, feminist, patrilineal.

Representasi “Alpha Female” di Dalam Konten Video “Kick Andy - Gita Savitri dan Paul Mantap Memilih Childfree atau Hidup Tidak Punya Anak”

This study attempts to describe and analyze the representation of Alpha Female in a feminist perspective. Alpha Female is described as a strong, independent, and confident woman, who puts herself in a dominant position and dares to take initiative in her life. However, the representation of Alpha Female in the media often creates debate among feminist activists as well as the public.. This study discusses and observes the concept of alpha female representation in a feminist perspective in a YouTube video titled "Kick Andy - Gita Savitri and Paul Steadfast in choosing childfree or living without children" describes how Gita Savitri as Alpha Female is represented in the media, and evaluates its impact on her role in public. Gita Savitri is an Indonesian female activist who has become an icon of Childfree Feminism in Indonesia and has become an inspiration for many women in Indonesia to pursue careers and choose not to have children, despite social and cultural pressures that still think women must have children to be considered perfect. This study uses a constructivism paradigm with a qualitative approach using multimodality research strategies. The method used is focus group discussion (FGD) which is a data collection technique, generally carried out in qualitative research with the aim of finding the meaning of a theme according to the understanding of a group with purposive sampling subjects with the participants age range from 25 to 27 years old.

Oppressed Become the Oppressor: Psychoanalytical Intersections of Trauma in Toni Morrison’s the Bluest Eye

This paper explores the intricate interplay of racism, trauma, and identity in Toni Morrison's novel The Bluest Eye. It delves into the challenges faced by African Americans within a predominantly white society by utilizing current trauma theory and Black feminist concepts. The theoretical framework includes cultural trauma theories, including the contributions from scholar Evelyn J. Schreiber, and insights from feminist thinkers like Bell Hooks and Patricia Hill Collins. Moreover, through an intersectional analysis, the study scrutinizes how gender, racial, class, and generational trauma intertwine to mold individuals’ experiences and self-perception. Therefore, by amalgamating trauma theories with feminist perspectives, the research provides valuable insights into the struggles of the characters and the societal dynamics portrayed in Morrison's novel, The Bluest Eye.

READING CLAUDIO FROM MEASURE FOR MEASURE THROUGH FEMINISM

The present paper attempts to examine the character of Shakespeare’s Claudio from Measure for Measure in the light of feminism. Though a number of studies have been conducted on the character of Claudio, his character from the feminist perspective still seems to have scope for further investigation. This paper undertakes to revisit the character of Claudio and expose his patriarchal character that looks at women only as secondary to men.

Desacralizing The Past: The Liberal Approach to Islamic History

This research examines the approach of liberal thinkers towards the history of Islam, focusing on the articles published on the online platform Islamlib.com. The research problem is formulated as follows: How do the historical articles on Islam, particularly in terms of content and thematic choices, manifest themselves on Islamlib.com. Additionally, what criticisms regarding the history of Islam are developed by Islamlib.com, encompassing sources, methodology, and approaches. The research employs the historiographical method, analyzing themes, methods, data sources, and approaches through content analysis techniques. The findings indicate that the historical articles on Islamlib.com are crafted within the framework of Islamic history as part of world history and total history. This research argues that the historiography of liberal thinkers has reached a sophisticated level. The articles explore a variety of themes related to Islam, embracing a comprehensive view that goes beyond conventional narratives. The historiographical critiques offered by Islamlib.com extend to source reliability, methodological choices, and the adopted approaches. The methodology used in this study, content analysis, facilitates a thorough examination of the themes, methods, sources, and approaches present in the historical articles. The liberal historiography demonstrated on Islamlib.com reveals a nuanced and advanced understanding of Islamic history. This research contributes to the ongoing discourse on liberal perspectives in historiography, shedding light on the diverse themes and critical methodologies employed by liberal thinkers in shaping the narrative of Islamic history.

A Study of Feminine Identity Crisis in Anita Desai’s Fictional Work

This research delves into Anita Desai's literary exploration of the feminine identity crisis, examining how her novels depict women's battles against societal and familial restrictions. Through an intersectional feminist perspective, Desai's works, including Fire on the Mountain, Cry the Peacock, and Voices in the City, are analyzed to reveal the enduring perception of women's inferiority and their roles as sacrificial figures within the family structure. Employing a descriptive methodology and drawing from primary sources and socio-psychological frameworks, this study interprets Desai's portrayal of women's struggles for autonomy amidst societal pressures. Through thematic exploration and character analysis, it uncovers the nuances of female experiences, their quest for identity, and the entrenched influence of patriarchal norms. Ultimately, the research illuminates Desai's depiction of women's resilience and their journey toward emancipation in the face of systemic oppression.

Women at War: A Feminist Study of Militarism in Gayle Tzemach Lemmon’s Daughters of Kobani

The study of women in war spans ancient to modern times, highlighting their significant contributions as combatants, nurses, spies, resistance fighters, and home front workers. Their experiences challenge traditional gender norms and have led to lasting social and political changes. This study aims to examine the profound effects of war on women, using documentary novel to enhance our understanding of the role of women in war. By exploring the real stories of Kurdish women fighters in Syria, the study illuminates the multifaceted impact of war on women and their transformative roles in conflict and peace-building. Adopting a feminist perspective, the study explores Daughters of Kobani by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon (2021), focusing on the unique suffering experienced by women in war.

A Look at Human Trafficking and the Anti-Trafficking Apparatus in Mexico through the Experience of Victoria, a Trans Woman

In this article, we discuss the experience of Victoria, a trans woman who was trafficked in the context of the criminal war in Mexico. Drawing on anthropological and feminist perspectives that privilege the dialogue of knowledge, Victoria’s experience allows us to problematise two central elements of the phenomenon of human trafficking in Mexico: first, the relationship between organised crime groups and human trafficking, and its effects on daily life in local contexts in Mexico, specifically in the experience of a trans woman. And second, the functioning of the Mexican anti-trafficking apparatus which, by focusing on the rescue of victims of sexual exploitation in places where independent sex work occurs, overlooks the identification of other forms of trafficking, such as trafficking for labour exploitation and servitude, both experienced by Victoria at the hands of organised crime groups.

Women Playwrights at the Crossroads: A Comparative Study of Ireland and Korea in the Mid-Twentieth Century

This paper examines plays by Irish and Korean women playwrights whose work is often neglected in their national canons and in the male-dominated theatre scene of the mid-twentieth century. The cases of Ireland and Korea overlap in compelling ways with discussions of modernity that are being reconstructed from the perspectives of colonial subjugation (under Britain and Japan) and wartime experience (in the Irish Civil War of 1922-23 and Korean War of 1950-53). There is a close relationship between these women writers’ marginalised place in their respective countries’ literary and theatrical scene and the process of Irish and Korean modernisation. The paper conducts a comparative analysis of works by Teresa Deevy, Kim Ja-rim, Maura Laverty and Jeon Ok-joo, highlighting the various thematic, political and formal strategies that these playwrights adopted at a time when their nations were ‘at the crossroads’. Against the grand narratives of ‘the nation’, women playwrights focused on depicting the aesthetics of daily life, emphasising aspects that had been neglected or marginalised in the discourse of modernity/coloniality. They dismantled clichés of dutiful wives and pacifist mothers, choosing instead to create complex and authentic depictions of femininity, endowing their female characters with a potent political voice in the public sphere. By reassessing their plays from a transnational feminist perspective, the paper seeks to expand feminist discourses in both Irish and Korean theatre history.

Corporeal Conflict: Unmaking and Making the Self in Margaret Atwood’s The Edible Woman

The classical canons of literature create and consider the construction of women as objects of beauty and desire, who are motivated by no concern for themselves, inherently weak and impoverished. This study seeks an alternative narrative structure to such cultural constructions by exploring how Margaret Atwood’s The Edible Woman (1969) portrays and represents the female body in connection with female agency and power by writing against classical representations. Accordingly, this study employs recent theorists who blend feminist perspectives with theories based on the body including Elizabeth Grosz, Susan Bordo and Kim Chernin along with feminist literary critics including Simone de Beauvoir and Linda Hutcheon. By incorporating feminist theory and body politics together with literary criticism, this study presents a discourse of resistance and the potentiality of a new meeting point for shared experience and a common knowledge. In this regard, Atwood’s The Edible Woman suggests that there is agency and power to be attained through the knowledge of our bodies. As a counter-narrative, The Edible Woman promotes a resistance to dominant cultural and social constructions that proceed to objectify and undervalue the female body. Atwood’s novel attempts to bring a credibility and a value to knowledge to which we gain through our corporeal experience. What emerges from this perception is that corporeal knowledge appears to be essential to be able to acquire an understanding of our existence as well as to be read as a means to resistance.