AN EXPLORATION OF NEW PERSPECTIVES IN FRENCH FEMINISM

Abstract

 The present research paper sheds light on and  deliberates  the new perspectives offered by French feminists such as Helen Cixous, Luce Irigaray, Julia Kristeva, Christine Delphy, Monique Wittings, and Colette Guillaumin. The French feminists gave a new theoretical orientation and direction to feminist movement in twentieth century by providing new insights. Their work is based on the new developments and theoretical perspectives of post structural thinkers such as Jacques Lacan, Jacques Derrida, Foucault and Louis Althusser. The female body is at the centre in the writing of French feminists. Language is also a main concern in their works. The new discoveries and theories in psychoanalysis largely influenced and shaped their works.  Their main contention is that the man and the women experience the world quite differently and women need a different style of writing and a new language to express their perceptions of the world. Ecriture feminine is one the major contribution of French feminists.