Composing Independent Critique of A Chosen Selection
Composing Independent Critique of A Chosen Selection
Composing Independent Critique of A Chosen Selection
Independent
Critique of a
Chosen
Selection
CRITIQUE
Verb
Critique means to review or examine
something critically.
Noun:
Critique is that review or examination,
like an art essay or a book report.
CRITIQUE
The French version of this word
is spelled the same (meaning
"the art of criticism") and
came from the Greek kritike
tekhne ("the critical art").
CRITIQUE
Evaluating (a theory or practice) in a
detailed and analytical way.
When speaking of feminist literature that is prominent and manages to touch on incredibly controversial
issues, The Yellow Wallpaper is the first book that comes to mind. Written from a first-person perspective,
magnifying the effect of the narrative, the short story by Charlotte Perkins Gilman introduces the reader to
the problem of the physical and mental health of the women of the 19th century. However, the message
that is intended to concern feminist ideas is rather subtle. Written in the form of several diary entries, the
novel offers a mysterious plot, and at the same time, shockingly realistic details.
What really stands out about the novel is the fact that the reader is never really sure how much of the story
takes place in reality and how much of it happens in the psychotic mind of the protagonist. In addition, the
novel contains a plethora of description that contributes to the strain and enhances the correlation between
the atmosphere and the protagonist’s fears: “The color is repellent, almost revolting; a smoldering unclean
yellow, strangely faded by the slow-turning sunlight” (Gilman).
Despite Gilman’s obvious intent to make the novel a feminist story with a dash of thriller thrown in, the
result is instead a thriller with a dash of feminism, as Allen (2009) explains. However, there is no doubt
that the novel is a renowned classic. Offering a perfect portrayal of the 19th-century stereotypes, it is a
treasure that is certainly worth the read.