Introduction: History and Feminist Theory, or Talking Back to the Beadle
Author(s)
Shapiro, Ann-Louise
Abstract
In an introduction to this journal issue focusing on history and feminist theory, it is suggested that, by presenting models of feminist historical work that exemplify a range of practices and perspectives, the contributions offer some elements of a theoretically informed feminist historical consciousness. The essays particularly explore the relation between feminist theory and the history of women and identify some of the theoretical and substantive issues that continue to provoke heated debate. It is contended that while feminist theory is important for history, history must reciprocally inform feminist theory. The articles demonstrate that feminist historians have succeeded in writing historical narratives that expose the reductionism of the public/private dichotomy, reaching toward a more integrated historical narrative.
