PREPATRIARCHAL REPRESENTATIONS OF FEMALE FIGURES.   Term Paper ID:30246 Click to get this paper

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Paper Abstract: Archaeological discoveries of female figures representing cult fertility objects an ancient goddesses. Representations of Paleolithic, Neolithic periods. Greek and Roman depictions of goddesses. Feminist ideology & goddess imagery. Patriarchal ideology. Varied views of contemporary ecofeminism in deconstructing patriarchy. Paper Introduction: CONTEMPORARY ECOFEMINISM Introduction Prepatriarchal Representations The earliest interpretations of archaeological discoveries of female figures was that they represented cult fertility objects. However, by the 1970s, there were numerous interpretations of these figures, and others, as representing ancient goddesses. These representations varied between civilizations and epochs in how they represented goddesses and stories that were told about them. In the Paleolithic period, the representations were the simplest. These are the female figurines that early archaeologists identified as Venus figurines (Eisler, 1987). They were often broad-hipped, pregnant, stylized, and sometimes were missing faces or Text of the Paper: The entire text of the paper is shown below. However, the text is somewhat scrambled. We want to give you as much information as we possibly can about our papers and essays, but we cannot give them away for free. In the text below you will find that while disordered, many of the phrases are essentially intact. From this text you will be able to get a solid sense of the writing style, the concepts addressed, and the sources used in the research paper. Nicholson (ed.) The Second Wave. (1999). Forher, women's work helps perpetuate both male domination ad capitalistvalues, while dismissing women's characteristics and qualities, nature, andsocial needs. Callicott, G. Shiva, V. That might be easier said than done, however. References Ecofeminism. The stories told aboutthem are of jealous and petty goddesses who resent the beauty or talents ofmortal women (Arachne, for example) and take sides in various conflicts.Although still associated with the natural world to some extent, as withthe story of Demeter and Persephone, they are more associated with thepolitical world and its conflicts. While Shiva's is a radical voice calling for fundamental change inthe way that the world organizes its resources, there are otherperspectives. Oxford UniversityPress. They were numerous,found in caves and burial sites throughout the region. To some extent Shiva's approach also sees nature as contingent, buther system also views the relationship between nature and people asreciprocal. (1997). Nicholson, L. Feminist Ideology While one branch of the feminist movement focused on goddess imageryand its meaning both historically and for contemporary women, other aspectsignored or disparaged this focus. Warren (1993) agreed with this characterization, noting that just asthere is no one feminism, there are multiple ecofeminisms depending uponthe feminism with which one starts. (1986). These depictions indicatedthat women had an important role in the religion of the times and served inpowerful positions in temple society. Sierra Club Books. Thus, people too, are contingent, or else both can be seen asinherent value in relationship to each other. Warren, K. By the height ofGreek and Roman civilization goddesses were more associated with symbols ofpower, including serving as the patrons of war. Gimbutas, M. (2 ). In looking at Lerner (1986), some of the approaches of ecofeminismseem designed to be more effective in deconstructing the patriarchy andreplacing it with a system that is more egalitarian and more nature-based.The approach represented by Roszak is an approach likely to allowpatriarchy to remain in place, because it continues to rely on ananthropocentrism that sees nature as of contingent, rather than inherent,value. CONTEMPORARY ECOFEMINISM Introduction Prepatriarchal Representations The earliest interpretations of archaeological discoveries of femalefigures was that they represented cult fertility objects. It simply requiresthem to work harder on environmental issues in order to improve their ownpsychology. The chalice and the blade. Again, this is more representative of the liberal feministapproach in which the rights of nature are seen as contingent upon theneeds of human beings. For example, Hartmann (1997) discussed the combination of Marxismand feminism, which she believed was an unhappy alliance because itactually mirrored the patriarchal reality in which woman is subsumed inman. However, by the197 s, there were numerous interpretations of these figures, and others, asrepresenting ancient goddesses. To refer to Hartmann (1997) again, shebelieves that it is a misconception to even refer to patriarchy before theRenaissance, because it was at that time that capitalism began to developand differentiate men's and women's roles in the means of production. (1997). (Ed.). This is expressed religiously, orspiritually, more than politically, although some women are involved withenvironmental activism. For example, Roszak (1995) has become the guru of theecopsychology movement in the United States. Liberal feminism bases its claims on legal rightsand seeks to share equally in the goods and power within society. Stolen harvest: the hijacking of the globalfood supply. Roszak, T. While women continued to be priestesses and powerful religiousfigures during the development of Greek and Roman civilization, thedepiction of the goddesses began to change drastically. Ecopsychology. There is also a difference between ecofeminists east and west in thedegree to which Western capitalism is implicitly seen as the source of thedomination of both women and nature, and other countries (who have becomefemale in their subjugation to the colonial powers). She indicated that patriarchy must be deconstructed byreversing the process of its development. They resistedthe influence of the earlier goddess imagery and associations (1987). In this case, the health of nature is linked to thepsychological health of people. (1993). In thePaleolithic period, the representations were the simplest. As Eve Online(Ecofeminism, 2 ) noted, if you ask 12 ecofeminists for a definition, youwill probably get 12 different answers. However, she also indicated thatmost would probably agree with a core statement that the domination ofwomen and the domination of nature are connected in a fundamental, andessential, way. Los Angeles, CA: University of California Press. This latter type of feminism also viewswomen as being closer to nature, more in tune with "her" rhythms andaligned with "Mother Earth". Contemporary Ecofeminism How does contemporary ecofeminism fit into this mix of goddessrepresentations, feminist ideology, and patriarchal societies? Starting withradical feminism can leave an ecofeminism that assumes women are closer tonature and more likely to be interested in preserving it, leaving men in anoutsider position as dominators. Hartmann, H. NY: Routledge. In M.E.Zimmerman, J.B. It isnot primarily concerned with changing society, or altering capitalism andits relationship to the rest of the world (Nicholson, 1997). This is a little lessdemanding approach than that of Vandana Shiva, since it does not actuallyrequire Americans to give up much of their privilege. Sessions, K.J.Warren and J. According to Gerda Lerner (1986), it is essential to understand howpatriarchy came into existence, because until that is possible, it will notbe reversible. These are thefemale figurines that early archaeologists identified as Venus figurines(Eisler, 1987). Lerner, G. Boston, MA: South End Press. Yet another type of representation is that of the priestess in OldEuropean civilization, although there is much cross-fertilization.Gimbutas (1982) noted that not only are there goddess representations,there are murals and other depictions showing women as supervising andperforming rituals dedicated to the goddess. Thus, feminism was asked to subsume its struggles under the largerstruggle of Marxism. The creation of patriarchy. Goddesses and gods of Old Europe, 7 -35 B.C. Feminist ideology has taken many forms during the last severalcenturies, coming to fruition in this century with an outburst of differentmodes. An introduction to ecofeminism. Food is controlled by multinational corporationswho tell people what to grow and where to send it, patent seeds so thatfarmers are constantly dependent upon them (like the sharecroppers in theUnited States), and even seek to patent plants and genetic material ofplants from other countries that has been used by the common people foryears as part of their daily lives (Shiva, 1999). For example, starting with liberalfeminism leaves an ecofeminism that bases claims for consideration ofnonhumans on legal rights or the interests of human beings. San Francisco, CA:Harper & Row, Publishers. (1982). For example, VandanaShiva is a consistent critic of Western capitalist actions, noting in herlatest book that the result of those policies is the virtual hijacking ofthe global food supply. On the other hand, radical or romantic feminism, sees women and menas fundamentally different, but views women as having superior values andsocialization (Nicholson, 1997). Yet, they are still clearly associated with theGreat Mother archetype. Patriarchal Ideology There are certainly different definitions of patriarchy and differentways of interpreting its ideology. Patterns includerepresentations of sun and waters, such as the wavy forms termed meanders(Gimbutas, 1982). Eisler () indicated that thesegoddesses are distorted by the fact that ancient Greek and Roman religionsand culture had become androcratic and domination-oriented. On the other hand, the figurines and representations became moresophisticated in the Neolithic period. They were oftenplaced with other objects that represented the natural world, such asshells. For example, in the Neolithic period, the emphasisis on nature and natural objects, not symbols of power. In L. These representations varied between civilizations and epochs in howthey represented goddesses and stories that were told about them. Clark (Eds).Environmental philosophy: From animal rights to radical ecology.Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall. Introduction. (1987). TheSecond Wave. The unhappy marriage of Marxism and feminism.In L. The goddesses are often associatedwith shrines in people's dwellings, and are covered with geometric symbolsand other representations. It mighthelp to start with a definition. Nicholson (Ed.). Internet:(http://mebers.tripod.com/~Ecofem2 / ecofem.html) Eisler, R. But, Warren agreed, ecofeminists do havethe core understanding that there is a connection between the domination ofwomen and nature and that these connections need to be made visible so thedestructive elements and institutions can be dismantled. Liberal feminism has emphasized the rights orientation which is mostsimilar to patriarchal ideology, and the values of the Renaissance andEnlightenment period. They were often broad-hipped, pregnant, stylized, andsometimes were missing faces or other body parts. NY: Routledge. If this paper is not what you are looking for, you can search again: Search for: or Click here to request an essay written just for you.