what is postmodern/ deconstructive theory?

Question

what does it involve? and how is this connected to feminism. or the critique/ analysis of gender?

Your help would be appreciated

Answer 1

The answers you have received so far are quite good. Yet, I have even a different perspective for you to consider. This is analogous to how the two philosophies are translated into physical form (architecture). You see, I find it easiest to ascertain the underlying tenants of a particular philosophy by delving into the architectural ramifications and impact.

In architecture, modernism is the "stripping" down of form to its base necessity. You may be able to see what I mean by looking at a modernist building.
Therefore, post modernism is the re-consideration of something less than absolutely necessary...like classical ornamentation. The reconsideration generally emphasizes the use of ornamentation in such a way as to glorify or memorialize it for posterity.
Consequently, a postmodern depiction of women would highlight and elevate the role of women, thereby thrusting it into the limelight for more serious consideration. Contrasted to modernism, in which women were just playing a role on the sidelines.

In architecture, deconstruction would typically involve an historical analysis and discovery of something onto which we would base a shockingly and unlikely creation of form. For example, "Hey, Fred Astair dancing would actually make a really interesting shape for a building!"
Don't laugh, this was actually done by a famous architect named Frank Gehry...

Okay, this could become - "Hey, you know we need to do more to encourage young ladys in grade school to become doctors and lawyers in their future lives. Obviously, the guys aren't going to take care of that stuff in the years to come."

Such a statement has just enough historical evidence to gain traction in the world today. I'm not advocating a particular way...believe me...there are way to many others trying to do that!
I'm just trying to provide some level of understanding behind the philosophical forces which influence us in this day and age.

Answer 2

You are asking a HUGE question. I will try to answer it in as few words as possible.

Postmodernity represents a viewpoint that is promoted by such thinkers as Jameson, Lyotard, and Baudrillard.

Deconstruction is a way to look at writing that was first asserted by Jacque Derrida (and carried on by Paul de Man). A common claim by deconstructivists is "Nothing is outside the text."

You can think (very roughly) of modernism as "serious" and postmodernism as more "play." It also seems to undermine typical ideas. Modernist would claim that a mother makes a child. But, Postmodernist would say that the child makes the mother. Think this way, if the woman (not mother) miscarries and there is not child, she is not then a mother. It is in the child coming forth that the person shifts from woman to mother.

One part of deconstruction that can be useful is that it undermines binaries (like male/female or speech/writing) in such a way that the subordinate term gains power and primacy. So, feminism could use deconstruction to "flip" the binary.

Your question is hard because it would be like me asking you to tell me the details of your life since you were 5 years old. This format is not conducive to such questions and requests. Otherwise, I could help you. Or if you made the question more specific and focused.

Answer 3

Though perhaps theoretical cousins, post-modernism and deconstructionism do not necessarily go hand in hand. There are a myriad of websites (I'm not a Wikipedia fan per se, but that's always a starting point for some basic terminology. Both of these literary theories have been hotly discussed so there should be no dearth of information out there concerning them. Having said that, post-modernism and deconstructionism provide theoretical frameworks that invite an often barrier-breaking examination of women and gender roles, identification, etc. In post-modernism, one of the most frequent observations is authorial use of irony and ironic detachment. An example of a novel that explores post-modern ideas of gender might be "The Hotel New Hampshire," in which an incestuous relationship between an adult brother and sister is not portrayed as one sibling "preying" on the other, but rather a conscious choice on the part of both. That is an oversimplification, but one example of post-modern ideas at work in storytelling. As for deconstructionism, my expertise is sorely lacking, but from what I recall it posits the notion that texts are understood through "dissecting" the various components of the narrative. I hope this was helpful.