Several texts have significantly shaped feminist theory.

1. “The Second Sex” by Simone de Beauvoir (1949) – A foundational work, it explores women’s oppression and the concept of “otherness,” arguing that one is not born, but rather becomes a woman.

2. “The Feminine Mystique” by Betty Friedan (1963) – This book is credited with sparking the second wave of feminism in the United States by addressing the dissatisfaction of many housewives and challenging the notion that a woman’s identity and fulfillment are solely found through homemaking and motherhood.

3. “Gender Trouble” by Judith Butler (1990) – This text introduced the concept of gender performativity, arguing that gender is not a fixed identity but rather an ongoing performance shaped by societal norms.

4. “Ain’t I a Woman?” by bell hooks (1981) – This book examines the intersection of race and gender, critiquing both the feminist movement for its lack of inclusion of black women and the civil rights movement for its sexism.

5. “The Dialectic of Sex” by Shulamith Firestone (1970) – A radical feminist text that argues for the elimination of gender differences and the institution of reproductive technologies to achieve gender equality.

6. “The Laugh of the Medusa” by Hélène Cixous (1975) – This essay advocates for women’s writing (écriture féminine) as a means to challenge and subvert patriarchal structures.

These texts collectively offer diverse perspectives on gender, identity, and social structures, forming a critical foundation for feminist theory.