Appleman Ch 5

Chapter 5 of Appleman's Critical Encounters in High School English is centered on feminist critique. Here she discussed the conventions of feminist critique and aimed to subvert the common notion of feminist theory being a male bashing tool used by angry women. Through the classroom examples, Appleman showed readers that feminist critique isn't about choosing a side a staying loyal to it. Infact, it's aim is to help readers to view their world through an unbiased lense. Appleman noted that 'the point is to help adolescent readers read texts and worlds more carefully as they become aware of the ideologies within which both are inscribed' (Appleman 76). The classroom examples further enriched this aim. There were a few classroom examples thatI really liked. She had students think of traditional and feminist outlooks on certain characters. This was awesome because it simplistically shows students the bias built into our societywhen it come sto gender roles, sexuality and general perceptions of women. I would definitely encourage my students to do an exercise like this not only with texts but also national monuments and other cultural artifacts.
She also used the same text to cover two theories. I like the idea of overlapping modes of critique to help students thoroughly examine a text. Another idea I would use from this chapter is the poem from Epithalamium-II. So simple yet simultaneously complex, this poem got her students thinking and their response were intelligent, evidence of critical thinking. Overall I think this chapter does an exceptional job at explaining feminist critique. Her examples and classroom exercises all, in some form, allowed readers to put on the bifocals of feminist theory and gather their own conclusions. I will definitely use the examples given in this chapter.