Identity Criticisms

Identity Criticisms, like Marxism, are sociological criticisms in that they see literature as primarily the product of social forces. However, instead of focusing on class struggle, they allow for various forms of identity beyond that of the social class.

There are three main types. Each is a vibrant field of critical debate, but on the GRE Literature exam, you'll rarely be asked to do more than identify a caricature almost certain to include the buzzwords below.

1. Feminist Criticism
-phallocratic hegemony, patriarchy
2. Black Criticism
-Euro-American patriarchy
3. Post-Colonial Criticism
-subaltern; marginalization of the other
-Edward Said, Orientalism

For more information, I recommend Culler's Literary Theory: A Very Short Introduction.