Abstract

For millennia, societal norms remained unchallenged, but a seismic shift began to unfold a couple of centuries ago, triggered by court disputes, kitchen sparks, defiant opinions, and literary mentions. This revolution, led by the feminist ideology, has subtly reshaped our lives, challenging entrenched beliefs and fostering a continuous transformation. This paper delves into the profound influence of feminism, a political ideology striving for gender equality, particularly in literature, and its role in questioning stereotypes, promoting societal change, and providing a voice for both women and men. Literature has been a powerful force in this feminist movement, offering a platform for diverse voices and perspectives. Works like Virginia Woolf's "A Room of One’s Own" and Jean Sassoon's "Love in a Torn Land" have created figural spaces and empowered women to defy norms. Feminist non-fiction, exemplified by Joanna Russ's "How to Suppress Women's Writing" and Maya Angelou's "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," bluntly confronts political insecurities and suppressed ambitions, challenging societal norms in the process. The feminist movement, evolving across centuries, has witnessed significant transformations. This paper explores the changing face of feminism, from early suffrage movements to demands for equal representation and contemporary redefinitions by authors like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie in "We Should All Be Feminists." Adichie challenges the negative connotations associated with the term "feminist" and advocates for a broader societal shift to achieve true equality. Furthermore, this research examines the role of poetry in communicating feminist ideas, with works like Nikita Gill's "Fierce Fairy tales" questioning traditional narratives and advocating for a gender-neutral upbringing. The paper underscores how literature, through poetry and prose, is not merely a reflection but an active participant in shaping societal perceptions, challenging ingrained gender biases, and contributing to a more equitable future.

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