Feminist Literary Criticism: Reinterpreting Women's Voices in English Literature

Abstract

Feminist literary criticism has transformed the study of English literature by examining how gender, power, and representation shape literary texts. It challenges patriarchal interpretations, recovers neglected women writers, and reinterprets canonical works through the lens of women's experiences. This paper explores the development of feminist literary criticism, its major themes, and its influence on contemporary literary studies. It argues that feminist criticism has expanded the literary canon, encouraged inclusive scholarship, and deepened understanding of women's voices in English literature.