Feminist Practice and Poststructuralist Theory

by Chris Weedon

What do the theories of poststructuralism have to offer contemporary feminism? In a discussion which assumes no prior knowledge of these complex theoretical issues, Chris Weedon argues that feminism is a politics which depends for its effectiveness on an alliance of theory and practice. Making the case that poststructuralism is the theory with the most explanatory and practical relevance to feminism, she examines the possibilities for a feminist practice.

In Feminist Practice and Poststructuralist Theory she suggests that patriarchal power is structural: it exists in institutions and social practices and not merely in individual intentions. It is, therefore, not a part of immutable nature but open to effective theoretical analysis and practical change. To develop this view, she mobilizes recent poststructuralist developments in the theory of language, subjectivity and power to develop a sophisticated feminist politics that takes into account not only questions of language and gender but also of class and race. Her argument, finally, is that it is through poststructuralist theory that an adequate feminist practice may emerge.

Genres: Feminism, Philosophy, Gender, Nonfiction, Theory

224 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 1987

Reviews

[KD]

This book offered a very readable introduction to poststructuralist theory and its feminist applications, as well as useful comparisons and contrasts to other feminist theories. I found the focus on language especially useful.

[Baran]

How useful are post-structuralist theories of language and subjectivity for feminist practice? That’s the question I hoped this book would answer, unfortunately it doesn’t seem to get there. The final chapter that finally goes on to explain how to apply these theories into practice speaks only of literary criticism. This is hardly effective practice in my opinion and not a very satisfying conclusion to the arguments built. The author spends far too long discussing psycho-analytics which doesn’t seem to productively contribute to the core of the books message. I do think the book does a good job of explaining various theories in a simple introductory way, I think it failed to cleanly present the argument it sets out to make.

[Ali]

The theory is not not useful at all, but Weedon explains it and its influences in a way that is easy to understand and also tries to give practical examples, something other poststructuralist texts, even introductory ones, completely lack. The practise part is not any sort of activism but literary practise - which again is not useful in terms of struggle for liberation, but also very typical for poststructuralism and therefore a very honest approach.

[Nyoman.Indra]

The key concepts are subject position, discourse and the relationship between language, social institutions and individual consciousness. From there we can make clear what Weedon means by “subjectivity.”

[Cloud]

Easily understandable and packed full with so very useful information. I've quoted from it already and I've just started my dissertation. Great work Ms Weedon!

[Ketab Dozd]

بعنوان یه کتاب مربوط به تقریبا ۴۰ سال پیش جالبه

[Stef Rozitis]

I found this book very useful because it is written in a clear, simple no-nonsense way for all that it cites people like Foucault and Derrida. I thought it would be dated but actually it explained a lot of the "backstory" for me on more recent texts I have read and I wish someone had got me to read this a lot earlier (but of course since noone lives inside my head they don;t know where my gaps are just as I don't know what I ought to read cause I haven't read it yet).

It outlines different sorts of feminisms (liberal, marxist and rad-fem being the main ones) and goes through the philosophical frameworks around them showing their relationship to things like psycho-analysis (eg Freud) where even when they are critical of the patriarchy they are taking on some of the assumptions and more or less buying into essentialism.

I found it helpful that the book wasn't saying that Marxism (for example) was wrong but just relating the gender essentialism within those frameworks to continued inequality of voice and status. Then it brings in postructuralism not instead of other forms of feminism but as a way of making them work harder and get further. It also explained postructuralism really well and so clearly that I only had to slow down my reading slightly to understand. I will return to this text again and again I think.

I think the book has challenged my own "easy answer" feminism somewhat while it hasn't told me I am "wrong" as such (because I am not). I will read more of Weedon and I hope she is still around and writing :)

[Robin]

Truly I only half-read this. Based on the discussion in my feminist book club, it seemed to have lots of interesting ideas.

[Jona]

i read the chapter on psychoanalysis...pp 42-70.

[Monica]

An excellent and accessible introduction and overview of the usefulness of poststructuralism in feminism. A must read for those interested in these fields!