ENGL 469 Study Guide: Postmodernism, Feminism, Reader Response, Queer Theory, Postcolonialism, Intersectionality, Ecocriticism

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key terms and concepts in Postmodernism, Feminism, Reader Response Theory, Queer Theory, Postcolonialism, Intersectionality, and Ecocriticism.

Postmodernism

A reaction against high modernism that emphasizes the removal of boundaries in culture.

Resistance

Opposition that arises from unfamiliarity in Postmodernism.

Pastiche

Neutral imitation in art that does not humorously critique but simply replicates old styles.

Death of the Individual

The idea in Postmodernism that individualism is an ideology rather than a realistic representation.

Aesthetic Dilemma

Challenges faced by artists and writers when individualism is regarded as dead.

Schizophrenia

In Postmodernism, viewed as a language disorder that disconnects experiences and signifiers.

Blank Irony

A neutral form of irony, having no depth of meaning or emotional engagement.

Nostalgia

A longing for the past that reflects an inability to engage with current experiences.

Fragmentation

The division of society into distinct styles and codes influencing individual identity.

High Culture

Cultural products and practices associated with the elite, such as philosophy and poetry.

Pop Culture

Mass culture that contrasts with high culture and emerges in Postmodern contexts.

Collective Memory

The shared memories and history that connect a society, often diminishing in Postmodernity.

Feminism

A movement challenging the definition of women as 'other' and inferior.

Patriarchy

A male-dominated system that limits both men and women by enforcing stereotypes.

Androgyny

The idea that art has no specific gender and can embody both male and female traits.

Equal Feminism

The belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities.

Radical Feminism

A viewpoint that sees men as the source of women's oppression and rejects male systems.

French Feminism

A feminist approach grounded in psychology, language, and desire.

Reader Response Theory

The concept that a text has no inherent meaning without a reader's interpretation.

Active Reader

A reader who engages with and interprets the text rather than passively absorbing it.

Gaps

Missing information in a text that the reader fills in with their creativity and imagination.

Horizon of Expectations

The preconceived notions a reader brings to a text, influencing their interpretation.

Queer Theory

A framework that questions fixed identities in gender and sexuality, asserting fluidity.

Heteronormativity

The assumption that heterosexuality is the default or normal sexual orientation.

Performative Gender

The idea that gender is acted out, shaped by societal expectations and norms.

Displacement

The experience of losing one’s home or culture due to factors like migration or colonization.

Postcolonialism

The study of the cultural, political, and social impacts of colonialism and imperialism.

Eurocentrism

The focus on European culture as a standard, marginalizing other perspectives.

Intersectionality

A framework that examines how overlapping social identities relate to systems of oppression.

Structural Power

Influence exerted through social institutions like law and economic systems.

Cultural Power

Impact of cultural beliefs and ideas on power relationships and social norms.

Disciplinary Power

Regulations and norms that control behavior based on race, gender, and class.

Interpersonal Power

Personal experiences shaped by the convergence of structural, cultural, and disciplinary power.

Ecocriticism

The study of literature’s relationship to the environment and humanity's connection to nature.

Sublime

The overwhelming and powerful feelings inspired by nature, enhancing our connection to it.

Cultural Denigration

The degradation of one's culture, often due to repressive societal structures.

Cultural Integration

The process of incorporating diverse cultural practices within a society.

Social Justice

The pursuit of fair treatment and equitable opportunities for all individuals.

Relationality

The interconnectedness of various social identities and their implications on power dynamics.

Complexity

The multifaceted nature of human experiences that cannot be reduced to single narratives.

Imitation of British Literature

The mimicry of British literary forms that has historically dominated Canadian literature.

Self-Knowledge

Understanding oneself through the examination of culture, language, and identity.

Hybridity

The blending of cultural identities that emerge from the experience of colonialism.

Rereading

The act of reading texts multiple times, leading to new interpretations and insights.