A feminist reading of Galatea 2.2There is a common thread connecting all novels written by men; their female characters are always portrayed as the stereotypical woman: weak, indecisive, and emotionally unstable. The feminist approach to literature analysis provides an explanation for this phenomenon. In this patriarchal society, women are considered the weaker, inferior sex. This may be the result of negative socialization or interactions with women in the past. Richard Powers uses this standard for female characters in his novel Galatea 2.2, highlighted by the application of the feminist approach and the dialogical method; however, its semi-autobiographical nature muddles the reasoning behind Powers' conformity. One of the central female characters in Galatea 2.2 is C., a former student of Powers with whom he develops a long-term relationship. Clearly, his portrayal of C. is influenced by the resentment he feels toward her for ending their relationship as well as the typical qualifications of a female character in a novel. Traditionally, the female sex is considered submissive, intellectually and physically inferior, and emotionally fragile. Powers' representation of C. is consistent with this model. Throughout the novel, she is depicted as being emotionally uncontrollable, possessing almost erratic behavior, and having no definitive understanding of her wants and needs. For example, Powers writes: “C. read Buddenbrooks and Anna Karenina. She reread Little Women. Everything made her cry. All. » (96). It also places C. in another characteristic of the stereotypical female role, a woman totally dependent on a man. It portrays C. as a woman who needs him to thrive and feel comfortable...... middle of paper ...... Obviously, she is the rational man and Powers became the injured woman. Applying the feminist approach, it is evident that Powers himself is not a unique male author. Like most of her colleagues, a male-dominated society gave her the mental image of a typical woman, weak, indecisive, emotionally out of control, in desperate need of a man to help her live her own life. This subconscious view of women is reflected in his depiction of his female characters in Galatea 2.2. This opinion may be influenced by his place in the feminine role in his relationship with A., which would lead him, in retrospect, to paint a negative picture of his companions. Whatever his reasoning, it is evident, through the feminist approach and reinforced by the dialogic method, that Powers himself is a stereotypical male author writing for a patriarchal society..