From real essences to the feminine imaginary : critiques of essentialism in feminist theory in North America in the 1980's

• Main Author: Snider, Kathryn
• Other Authors: Nemiroff, Stanley (advisor)
• Format: Others
• Language: en
• Published: McGill University 1994
• Subjects: Essence (Philosophy); Femininity (Philosophy); Feminist theory > North America
• Online Access: http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=26330

The polemical debate, within feminist theory in North America, in the 1980s, around essentialism is the central focus of this thesis. === In particular, this work attempts to critically examine the notion of essentialism, the resistance to accepting a feminine "essence," and the loosely defined and employed terminology surrounding this field of inquiry. In accomplishing these objectives I draw upon, and critique, the more recent work elaborated around theorizing with/through the "body." === Aspects of feminist theory which are examined as contributive towards the above aim are an analysis of the explicit, and implicit, dangers of accepting or discarding essentialism, and an analysis of the inherent ontological and philosophical tenets that function within this present discourse. === It is maintained that by addressing the issue of essentialism, the relationship between subjectivity, identity, and gender, within feminist theory, will be liberated from further constraining propositions.