Symbolic Gender Role Reversal and Touchstone Criticism: The Feminist Rhetoric of Gloria Steinem
Issue Date
2009-12-18Author
Howell, Jaclyn Brooke
Publisher
University of Kansas
Format
144 pages
Type
Thesis
Degree Level
M.A.
Discipline
Communication Studies
Rights
This item is protected by copyright and unless otherwise specified the copyright of this thesis/dissertation is held by the author.
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Show full item recordAbstract
The purpose of this thesis is to analyze a sampling of Gloria Steinem's feminist rhetoric by way of "If Men Could Menstruate" (1978/1983) and "What If Freud Were Phyllis?" (1994). I use a historical-descriptive methodology, in which I situate each essay in terms of their historical contexts, and I closely analyze Steinem's rhetoric in light of each historical situation. I also examine "If Men Could Menstruate" and "What If Freud Were Phyllis?" in terms of their enduring contributions. Towards this end, I consider whether or not these essays are touchstones of feminist criticism, meaning that a text meets audience demands and stands the test of time. Focusing on these two essays is necessary because they are memorable, they have received popular acclaim, they function as a pair, and they transcend the boundaries of second wave feminism.
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- Communication Studies Dissertations and Theses [275]
- Theses [3901]
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