How can feminist criticism be applied to short stories?
Feminist criticism can be applied to short stories by examining the portrayal of female characters. Look at their roles, whether they are strong and independent or passive. For example, in 'The Yellow Wallpaper', the female protagonist's restricted situation reflects the oppression of women in a patriarchal society.
One way is to analyze the power dynamics in the story. Are women in positions of power or are they dominated by male characters? In many short stories, female characters are often sidelined. By using feminist criticism, we can expose this inequality. Also, consider the language used. If it's often male - centric, it shows a bias. We can also look at how female relationships are depicted, whether they are supportive or competitive in a way influenced by gender norms.
