Gender Theory: An Intro

Gender is not just male and female; it is a concept. Gender is complicated. Gender theory goes beyond the simplicity of that male/female and uncovers layers upon layers of integrated theory, meaning, and questions to form multifaceted lenses through which one can examine literature.

What is it to be a man or a woman – is it based on biology or society? Who defines gender roles – is it nature or nurture? How has history shaped “femininity” and “masculinity”? What about the relationship between gender and sexuality – is homosexuality natural or wrong? How does society’s institutions and language create barriers and ideals around gender and sexuality? These are just a few questions answered by philosophers and posed when examining a text through the lens of Gender Theory. For more detail, see Branches of Gender Theory.