Feminist Books

Hey guys, today I wanted to share some of my favourite books with feminist themes. Here goes!

1) The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

This book follows a slightly autobiographical storyline based around the character of Esther Greenwood. She is searching for her identity as a woman; she's trying to establish her career all while struggling with her mental health. 

One of the main themes throughout this short book is the idea of the sexual double standard. Esther talked about the idea of women being expected to be virgins when they get married but she struggles a lot when realising that the men she is seeing are not held to the same ideals. She really hates this and quite a bit of the story is her struggling with it. 

2) The Colour Purple by Alice Walker

It should be said that Alice Walker preferred the term 'womanist' to feminist but generally this book is about a black woman named Celie who is writing letters to God to try and get her through her difficult life. She has been raped and beaten throughout her young life and is now trapped in an unhealthy marriage.

This book has a huge disparity between victimised and successful females. The successful women in this story most often have gained their success by teaming up with the other women. But the victimised women are not aided at all; they are routinely subjected to rape and abuse and the men in this situation are not expected to be faithful in their marriages. Again there is also a strong theme of the double sexual standard.

3) Dear Ijeawele, or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

This set of short stories is a letter Chimamanda wrote to her friend when that friend asked for help raising her newborn baby girl as a feminist. This has some great ideals and it also brings into view some more specific feminist ideas based on the Nigerian culture that Chimamanda is part of.

The main theme throughout this story is that there is a lack of equality between the sexes and Chimamanda give fifteen pieces of advice that help to combat that in raising a child in the twenty-first century. 

4) Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Jane Eyre is without a doubt my favourite classic of all time. I think Charlotte Bronte is a complete genius and I adore her writing. This book follows the titular character who starts off life with a lot of sadness. She is treated terribly by her aunt and then similarly at the boarding school she is sent to. She then goes to Thornfield Hall, the home of Mr Rochester, to be young Adele's governess. There she learns about love and lots of things ensue.

Although the ending of this book may not be completely within feminist constraints, I think it is completely realistic to accept that there are strong feminist themes in Jane Eyre as a character. At numerous times throughout the book, Jane refuses to let situations happen which try to take away her independence, she is incredibly sympathetic to her fellow women and constantly talks about women being able to feel as men feel. 

5) Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Jane Austen as an author has been seen as a feminist author throughout her novels but I think one of the best and most interesting portrayals of these principles is in Pride and Prejudice and more specifically, the character of Elizabeth Bennett.

The main points of Elizabeth's feminism for me, shows itself when she refuses to accept marrying merely for money or financial gain and power. Instead she wishes to be married for love, as a man would be able to do no matter the social status of her potential suitor. I love Elizabeth's character because she is definitely a go-getter and is happy to go for what she wants.

These are some of my favourite texts with feminist themes but let me know which ones you love.

Until next time, happy reading!