The Female Tradition: Elaine Showalter

Elaine Showalter’s essay “The Female Tradition” is a pivotal work in feminist

literary criticism that explores the development and contributions of women
writers throughout history. Showalter seeks to establish a distinct female
literary tradition that is separate from the male-dominated canon. She divides
this female tradition into three main phases: the Feminine, the Feminist, and
the Female.
The Feminine phase (1840-1880) is the first of the three phases in Elaine
Showalter’s “The Female Tradition,” which outlines the development of
women’s literature. This phase is characterized by women writers imitating and
adhering to the prevailing male literary conventions of the time. They often
expressed their ideas within the constraints of the dominant social and cultural
norms, and were hesitant to openly challenge the patriarchal system.
1. Social and cultural context: The Feminine phase took place during the
Victorian era, a period marked by strict moral codes and rigid gender roles.
Women were expected to focus on their duties as wives and mothers and
conform to the ideals of modesty, piety, and domesticity. These social
expectations greatly influenced the literature of the time, as women writers
were often cautious about addressing controversial subjects or straying too far
from traditional norms.
2. Literary themes and styles: Works from the Feminine phase often revolve
around themes such as love, marriage, and family life, reflecting the social
expectations placed on women during the Victorian era. Authors tended to
adhere to the dominant literary styles, such as the realist novel, and avoided
overtly challenging traditional gender roles. Instead, they subtly questioned
societal norms and explored women’s inner lives and desires within the
confines of the accepted literary forms.
3. Notable authors and works: Some of the prominent authors from the
Feminine phase include George Eliot (Middlemarch, The Mill on the Floss),
Elizabeth Barrett Browning (Sonnets from the Portuguese), the Brontë sisters
(Charlotte’s Jane Eyre, Emily’s Wuthering Heights, and Anne’s The Tenant of
Wildfell Hall), and Louisa May Alcott (Little Women). While these authors often
followed the male literary conventions of the time, they still managed to
convey the complexities of women’s experiences and subtly challenge
societal expectations.
4. Impact on future phases and literary criticism: The Feminine phase laid the
groundwork for the subsequent phases of women’s literature, as it
demonstrated that women were capable of producing high-quality literary
works and engaging with complex ideas. Although the authors of this phase did
not directly challenge the patriarchal system, their subtle critiques and unique
perspectives laid the foundation for the more overt activism and exploration
of female experiences found in the Feminist and Female phases.
In summary, the Feminine phase in Elaine Showalter’s “The Female
Tradition” represents the beginning of women’s literary history, as it
showcases the initial efforts of women writers to express their ideas and
experiences within the constraints of the male-dominated literary landscape.
Despite the limitations of the time, these authors managed to convey the
complexities of women’s lives and paved the way for future generations of
women writers.
The Feminist phase (1880-1920) in Elaine Showalter’s “The Female Tradition”
represents a significant period in the development of women’s literature, as it
marks a shift in focus from imitating male literary conventions to actively
advocating for women’s rights and social change. This period was
characterised by women writers who used their literary works as a means to
challenge and critique patriarchal norms, express their dissatisfaction with
the limited roles assigned to women, and promote women’s independence.
1. Social and political context: This phase coincided with the rise of the
women’s suffrage movement, which sought to secure women’s right to vote
and greater representation in political decision-making. The feminist phase in
literature was greatly influenced by the social and political activism of the time,
as women began to question their roles and fight for equal rights.
2. Literary themes and styles: The feminist phase saw the emergence of
several key themes, such as the exploration of women’s identity, the critique
of marriage and domesticity, and the pursuit of educational and professional
opportunities. Writers often used symbolism, irony, and psychological realism
to express their ideas and challenge traditional gender roles. Some of the
works also focused on the concept of “the New Woman,” a figure representing
women’s growing desire for independence, autonomy, and self-expression.
 3. Notable authors and works: Some prominent authors of the feminist phase
include Virginia Woolf (A Room of One’s Own, Mrs. Dalloway), Kate Chopin
(The Awakening), Charlotte Perkins Gilman (The Yellow Wallpaper, Herland),
and Olive Schreiner (The Story of an African Farm). These authors pushed the
boundaries of what was considered acceptable for women to write about and
often faced criticism for their daring subject matter.
4. Impact on literary criticism and future generations: The feminist phase
helped lay the groundwork for future generations of women writers and
contributed significantly to the development of feminist literary criticism. By
challenging traditional gender roles and asserting the importance of women’s
perspectives, authors during this phase helped pave the way for the Female
phase, which focused on the exploration of unique female experiences and the
creation of a distinctly female literary voice.
In summary, the feminist phase in Elaine Showalter’s “The Female Tradition”
represents a crucial turning point in women’s literature, as it marked the
beginning of a conscious effort to critique patriarchal norms, promote
women’s rights, and assert the importance of women’s voices in literary
works.
The Female phase (1920-present) is the third and final phase in Elaine
Showalter’s “The Female Tradition,” which traces the development of women’s
literature. This phase is marked by women writers breaking free from male
literary conventions and exploring their unique female experiences, asserting
their own voices, and creating a distinct female literary tradition.
1. Social and cultural context: The Female phase began in the early 20th
century and continues to the present day. It is influenced by a range of social
and political factors, such as the growing women’s rights movement, the rise
of feminism, and the increased presence of women in the workforce and
public life. These developments provided women with greater freedom and
opportunities to express themselves through literature.
2. Literary themes and styles: The Female phase is characterised by a focus on
the exploration of female experiences, the assertion of female subjectivity,
and the celebration of female creativity. Women writers during this
phase often tackled themes such as gender identity, sexuality, motherhood,
and the female body. They experimented with various narrative styles, such
as stream-of-consciousness, non-linear storytelling, and magical realism, to
represent the complexities of women’s lives and challenge traditional literary
norms.
3. Notable authors and works: Prominent authors of the Female phase
include Doris Lessing (The Golden Notebook), Margaret Atwood (The
Handmaid’s Tale, Cat’s Eye), Toni Morrison (Beloved, The Bluest Eye), Zora
Neale Hurston (Their Eyes Were Watching God), Sylvia Plath (The Bell Jar), and
Adrienne Rich (Diving into the Wreck). These authors not only wrote about
women’s experiences but also contributed to the development of a distinct
female literary tradition.
4. Impact on literary criticism and future generations: The Female phase has
had a significant impact on literary criticism and the broader understanding
of literature. It has led to the development of feminist literary theory, which
seeks to analyse and interpret literary works from a gender-conscious
perspective. Additionally, the Female phase has inspired and paved the way for
future generations of women writers, who continue to explore and assert their
unique experiences through literature.
In summary, the Female phase in Elaine Showalter’s “The Female
Tradition” represents the culmination of women’s efforts to create a distinct
female literary tradition. This phase is characterised by women writers
asserting their own voices, experimenting with new narrative styles, and
exploring the complexities of female experiences, ultimately contributing to a
richer and more diverse literary landscape.