Weedon discusses the influences of poststructuralism on the way we talk about feminism. She elaborates on the importance of language, subjectivity and discourse within the context of feminism. She explains that not all poststructuralist lens are appropriate for feminism, Foucalt's works especially well due to its addressing of history, gender, class and race. She explains that the language used provides a social organization for feminism. This allows us to see that the term gender is "socially produced." This is important to see, because Saussure's theory did not allow for multiple meanings of gender, despite it's necessity. By showing the evolution of structuralism, to post-structuralism, she explains that the word 'woman' is able to contain several meanings. The subjectivity Weedon explains, refers to "conscious and unconscious thoughts and emotions of the individual… and her ways of understanding her relation to the world." This subjectivity provides room for discourse and allows the way we talk about feminism to change and create new meanings.
Weedon's theories can certainly be seen to spawn from Foucault, as she explicitly states; however we can also see that she takes ideas from Bazerman. This is very important for Weedon's ideas of discourse and her discussion of language's effect on social organization. In discussing subjectivity, it is not hard to relate Zizek and Freud. They continually discuss the way we must repress our desires and Weedon's discussion of the conscious and unconscious thoughts.
Comparing Weedon to previous theorists, her ideas are certainly more relatable. She explains the relevance in a way not always present with the others. I was particularly intrigued about her discussion of gender. Despite being open-minded and accepting, I have a hard time actually understanding the way gender is presented in our society today. Coming from a background of science and logic, it is natural for me to think of the biological definition of gender we have always been taught. However, Weedon discusses this in a way I had not previously heard. In contrast to my typical thoughts black and white, Weedon explains that it can have multiple meanings and has changed over time. Her explanation is important because, sometimes, we are used to seeing a definition we feel comfortable with and don't realize others even exist. Not just regarding gender, this can be true for many of words we come across, which, I think, becomes her point for language as discourse regarding feminism.
Weedon's theories can certainly be seen to spawn from Foucault, as she explicitly states; however we can also see that she takes ideas from Bazerman. This is very important for Weedon's ideas of discourse and her discussion of language's effect on social organization. In discussing subjectivity, it is not hard to relate Zizek and Freud. They continually discuss the way we must repress our desires and Weedon's discussion of the conscious and unconscious thoughts.
Comparing Weedon to previous theorists, her ideas are certainly more relatable. She explains the relevance in a way not always present with the others. I was particularly intrigued about her discussion of gender. Despite being open-minded and accepting, I have a hard time actually understanding the way gender is presented in our society today. Coming from a background of science and logic, it is natural for me to think of the biological definition of gender we have always been taught. However, Weedon discusses this in a way I had not previously heard. In contrast to my typical thoughts black and white, Weedon explains that it can have multiple meanings and has changed over time. Her explanation is important because, sometimes, we are used to seeing a definition we feel comfortable with and don't realize others even exist. Not just regarding gender, this can be true for many of words we come across, which, I think, becomes her point for language as discourse regarding feminism.
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