Literary Canon Definition Essay Example for Free

Literary Canon Definition EssayA literary principle is a classification of literature. It is compromised of literary meshs that share similar or related characteristics and are considered to be the most important of a specific period frame or place. The process in which a work is canonized is completely subjective. And just as the judgments and opinions of people intensify over time, so do literary canons. The status a work receives when it is entered into a literary canon is based on its relevance to the time period. Therefore a social change such as the feminist movement can determine what works are added and removed from a literary canonBoth the works of Gail Godwins A Sorrowful Woman and Karen Van Der Zees A Secret Sorrow were composed during the rise of feminism. However, the perspective of woman each work has varies greatly. A Secret Sorrow reflects the stereotypical view of woman that the feminist movement so strongly opposed. The view that woman are child port objec ts and should complete the role of the traditional housewife is irrelevant to the social changes happening during time period.In stark contrast, A Sorrowful Woman is written round a woman who is weary and unsatisfied with her role as a mother and child. She even goes as far as to detach herself from her family and isolate herself into mavin room. This perspective ties closely with way many women felt during the time period when feminism was rising. Thus its social and historical relevance to the time period makes A Sorrowful Woman a much better fit to be entered into the literary canon.