FEMINISM AND MARXISM: THE MARITAL METAPHORS (FROM 1979 UNTIL TODAY)

Abstract

The paper details an analysis of the marital metaphor and its variations, used by the authors of works in socialist feminism and related approaches during the last fourty years, to describe the relationship of Marxism and feminism. By analysing individual examples, the paper provides an explanation of the subtle differences and connections between the socialist, Marxist, materialist, and 99% feminisms; as well as an interpretation of the various nuances invoked by the choice of this metaphor, its advantages and limitations, when used to describe a relationship of two theoretical concepts, such as feminism and Marxism. In addition to the fact that they use or mention the key marital metaphor, the works analysed in this paper were also chosen by their publication date, so that each couple of texts were published in each of the surveyed decades, which is important for tracking down the development of leftist feminist theories during this period. Apart from works by the Anglo-American authors, an important spot is given to the study by Blaženka Despot, one of the most profound Yugoslav Marxist feminist authors. Thus, by analysing the variations of the key metaphor, the paper aims at a better understanding of the historical development of socialist feminism and related approaches, as well as of the changes (or lack thereof) in the relationship of Marxism towards feminism in the last four decades. At the same time, the paper tackles the question of the relationship of Marxism and feminism today; what kind of a metaphor is the most suitable – if neccessary at all – for us to conceive this relationship today.