The Concept Of Androgyny/Bisexuality In Western Feminist Literary Criticism

Androgyny/Bisexuality is an important concept of westernfeminist criticism. In this paper, the concept of androgyny/bisexualityis considered as the main object analyzed. We can comprehend the gendertemperament, and theories of androgyny/bisexuality in western feministliterary criticism.Androgyny/Bisexuality has many expressions in Chinese language. As theimportant concept of feminist criticism relating to masculinity andfemininity, androgyny and bisexuality are the main words about the concept.This paper analyzed the word of androgyny first of all, in the aspect ofthe derivation, myth and psychology. Androgyny is created by combining theGreek prefixes andro (male) and gyn (female). However, when the conceptof androgyny/bisexuality is used into western feminist literary criticism,it means a literary producing condition and literary criterion in the mindwithout differentiating masculinity or femininity, or a kind of specialwriting style for women. There are different definitions which have thesame reason. But the concept of androgyny/bisexuality becomes the toolwhich both sides can use to discuss for themselves. In Carolyn Heilbrun's opinion, the society should become more free, and people can choose theirbehavior freely. No sex-typing. Viginia Woolf used the word androgyny intoliterary writing and criterion. It is related to the best condition fromthe book A Room of One's Own. Women writers must kill the angel in theroom and confide their true experience. The concept of androgyny in ViginiaWoolf's book does not mean none of sex. However Elaine Showalter foundthe word 'his' incisively in Viginia Woolf' s book. There are differentopinions towards the concept of androgyny of Woolf. Toril Moi can't agreewith Elaine Showalter. The concept of androgyny in Woolf's book is justthe destructive strategy from feminism and it is revolutionary. Otherbisexuality is presented by Helene Cixous. It is different from the wordandrogyny, and it can present to us the diversity of gender in society. In fact, androgyny and bisexuality both criticize the dichotomy ofpatriarchy. And the concept of androgyny/bisexuality gradually stands fora perfect personality which deconcentrates sex-typing and sparkplugsdiverse individuals.