Chasing remarkable lives: a problematization of empowerment stories for girls

Garcia-Gonzalez, M. (2020) Chasing remarkable lives: a problematization of empowerment stories for girls. Journal of Literary Education, 3, pp. 44-61. (doi: 10.7203/JLE.3.18165)

Abstract

This article explores the question of how to assess children’s literature as feminist. Drawing upon a revision of the concept of postfeminism as a gendered neoliberalism that cultivates the ‘right’ disposition for succeeding in a neoliberal society, I bring together two possible objects of study upon which I outline some problematic aspects. I begin by focusing on a publishing phenomenon of the last few years: the biography compilations, such as the crowdfunded Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls, that, in a more or less explicit manner, aim to provide younger generations with new repertoires of gendered agencies. Then I analyze two picturebooks that have been recommended by reading promotion agencies and praised for their anti-sexist values: Tirititesa and La bella Griselda. In both these picturebooks, we find two protagonists tran sgressing gender norms and heteronormative ideals of romantic love. Yet, I argue that they reproduce systems of exclusions that are quite problematic if read from feminist intersectionality. The texts analyzed are modeled by a postfeminist sensibility in which a celebratory “girl power” is put forward, while obscuring how (gendered) exclusions work.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This research has been supported by ANID PIA 160007 and SOC 180023.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Garcia Gonzalez, Dr Macarena
• Authors: Garcia-Gonzalez, M.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Education
• Journal Name: Journal of Literary Education
• Publisher: Universidad de Valencia
• ISSN: 2659-3149
• ISSN (Online): 2659-3149
• Published Online: 11 December 2020