Gender and Destiny: Women Writers and the Holocaust (Contributions in Women's Studies) [Hardcover]

Marlene Heinmann (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 16, 1986 | ISBN-10: 0313246653 | ISBN-13: 978-0313246654

This penetrating study explores some of the critical approaches common to works written by women about an extreme situation--the Holocaust--affecting both sexes. The two novels and four fictionalized memoirs on which Heinemann's analysis is based describe experiences unique to women in the Holocaust. Among Heinemann's chief areas of focus are themes, modes of characterization, peer relations, and authenticating strategies and how they differ significantly from the ways that men have shaped their prose versions of the Holocaust. This first critical treatment of Holocaust literature from a feminist perspective effectively challenges the widespread assumption that the literature of the Holocaust reflects identical experiences for both men and women.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

This penetrating study explores some of the critical approaches common to works written by women about an extreme situation--the Holocaust--affecting both sexes. The two novels and four fictionalized memoirs on which Heinemann's analysis is based describe experiences unique to women in the Holocaust. Among Heinemann's chief areas of focus are themes, modes of characterization, peer relations, and authenticating strategies and how they differ significantly from the ways that men have shaped their prose versions of the Holocaust. This first critical treatment of Holocaust literature from a feminist perspective effectively challenges the widespread assumption that the literature of the Holocaust reflects identical experiences for both men and women.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 158 pages
• Publisher: Praeger (October 16, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0313246653
• ISBN-13: 978-0313246654
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,394,476 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Women and Destiny, September 21, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Gender and Destiny: Women Writers and the Holocaust (Contributions in Women's Studies) (Hardcover)

Heinemann is in fact successful in proving that women and men lived through different experiences in the Holocaust. Her work isn't a feminist piece but rather an exhibition of women strength and weakness in the face of fear, despair, and death. The reader should be aware of general terms pertaining to the Holocaust and should try to familiarize itself with the terms. Nevertheless the book does offer a great insight on the lives of these women (not all of them were Jews) and especially about their relationships with their relatives (for those who don't lose them) and with other inmates.