Literary Canon Definition Essay

A literary canon is a classification of literature. It is compromised of literary deeds that shargon similar or related characteristics and be considered to be the around important of a specific time frame or place. The swear out in which a work is canonized is completely subjective. And just as the judgments and opinions of people change over time, so do literary canons. The shape a work receives when it is entered into a literary canon is based on its relevance to the time period.Therefore a accessible change such(prenominal) as the feminist movement can determine what works are added and removed from a literary canonBoth the works of Gail Godwins A woebegone fair sex and Karen Van Der Zees A Secret Sorrow were composed during the rise of feminism. However, the perspective of fair sex severally work has varies greatly. A Secret Sorrow reflects the stereotypical view of woman that the feminist movement so strongly opposed. The view that woman are child bearing objects and should complete the role of the traditional housewife is inappropriate to the social changes happening during time period.In stark contrast, A Sorrowful Woman is written about a woman who is weary and ungratified with her role as a mother and child. She even goes as out-of-the- expressive style(prenominal) as to detach herself from her family and isolate herself into one room. This perspective ties closely with way many women felt during the time period when feminism was rising. Thus its social and historical relevance to the time period makes A Sorrowful Woman a much better fit to be entered into the literary canon.