Why Stories Matter

The Political Grammar of Feminist Theory

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Gender Studies, Feminism & Feminist Theory
Cover of the book Why Stories Matter by Clare Hemmings, Inderpal Grewal, Caren Kaplan, Robyn Wiegman, Duke University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Clare Hemmings, Inderpal Grewal, Caren Kaplan, Robyn Wiegman ISBN: 9780822393702
Publisher: Duke University Press Publication: January 18, 2011
Imprint: Duke University Press Books Language: English
Author: Clare Hemmings, Inderpal Grewal, Caren Kaplan, Robyn Wiegman
ISBN: 9780822393702
Publisher: Duke University Press
Publication: January 18, 2011
Imprint: Duke University Press Books
Language: English

Why Stories Matter is a powerful critique of the stories that feminists tell about the past four decades of Western feminist theory. Clare Hemmings examines the narratives that make up feminist accounts of recent feminist history, highlights the ethical and political dilemmas raised by these narratives, and offers innovative strategies for transforming them. Drawing on her in-depth analysis of feminist journals, such as Signs, Feminist Review, and Feminist Theory, Hemmings argues that feminists portray the development of Western feminism through narratives of progress, loss, and return. Whether celebrating the move beyond unity or identity, lamenting the demise of a feminist political agenda, or proposing a return to a feminist vision from the past, by advancing these narratives feminists construct a mobile “political grammar” too easily adapted for postfeminist agendas. Hemmings insists that it is not enough for feminist theorists to lament what is most often perceived as the co-optation of feminism in global arenas. They must pay attention to the amenability of their own stories, narrative constructs, and grammatical forms to broader discursive uses of gender and feminism if history is not simply to repeat itself. Since citation practices and the mobilization of affect are central to how the narratives of progress, loss, and return persuade readers to suspend disbelief, they are also potential keys to telling the story of feminism’s past, present, and future differently.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Why Stories Matter is a powerful critique of the stories that feminists tell about the past four decades of Western feminist theory. Clare Hemmings examines the narratives that make up feminist accounts of recent feminist history, highlights the ethical and political dilemmas raised by these narratives, and offers innovative strategies for transforming them. Drawing on her in-depth analysis of feminist journals, such as Signs, Feminist Review, and Feminist Theory, Hemmings argues that feminists portray the development of Western feminism through narratives of progress, loss, and return. Whether celebrating the move beyond unity or identity, lamenting the demise of a feminist political agenda, or proposing a return to a feminist vision from the past, by advancing these narratives feminists construct a mobile “political grammar” too easily adapted for postfeminist agendas. Hemmings insists that it is not enough for feminist theorists to lament what is most often perceived as the co-optation of feminism in global arenas. They must pay attention to the amenability of their own stories, narrative constructs, and grammatical forms to broader discursive uses of gender and feminism if history is not simply to repeat itself. Since citation practices and the mobilization of affect are central to how the narratives of progress, loss, and return persuade readers to suspend disbelief, they are also potential keys to telling the story of feminism’s past, present, and future differently.

More books from Duke University Press

Cover of the book All in the Family by Clare Hemmings, Inderpal Grewal, Caren Kaplan, Robyn Wiegman
Cover of the book From Fanatics to Folk by Clare Hemmings, Inderpal Grewal, Caren Kaplan, Robyn Wiegman
Cover of the book Citizenship from Below by Clare Hemmings, Inderpal Grewal, Caren Kaplan, Robyn Wiegman
Cover of the book Theology of Money by Clare Hemmings, Inderpal Grewal, Caren Kaplan, Robyn Wiegman
Cover of the book The Right to Maim by Clare Hemmings, Inderpal Grewal, Caren Kaplan, Robyn Wiegman
Cover of the book The Tao and the Logos by Clare Hemmings, Inderpal Grewal, Caren Kaplan, Robyn Wiegman
Cover of the book The Effective Republic by Clare Hemmings, Inderpal Grewal, Caren Kaplan, Robyn Wiegman
Cover of the book Foundations of World Order by Clare Hemmings, Inderpal Grewal, Caren Kaplan, Robyn Wiegman
Cover of the book Israel/Palestine and the Queer International by Clare Hemmings, Inderpal Grewal, Caren Kaplan, Robyn Wiegman
Cover of the book Lion Songs by Clare Hemmings, Inderpal Grewal, Caren Kaplan, Robyn Wiegman
Cover of the book Object Lessons by Clare Hemmings, Inderpal Grewal, Caren Kaplan, Robyn Wiegman
Cover of the book New World Drama by Clare Hemmings, Inderpal Grewal, Caren Kaplan, Robyn Wiegman
Cover of the book Exit-Voice Dynamics and the Collapse of East Germany by Clare Hemmings, Inderpal Grewal, Caren Kaplan, Robyn Wiegman
Cover of the book Tours of Vietnam by Clare Hemmings, Inderpal Grewal, Caren Kaplan, Robyn Wiegman
Cover of the book Retrospectives on Public Finance by Clare Hemmings, Inderpal Grewal, Caren Kaplan, Robyn Wiegman
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy