"Towards a Feminist Poetics" by Elaine Showalter

The correct answer is States that literary criticism is male dominated.

Key Points

• "Towards a Feminist Poetics" is a significant essay by Elaine Showalter, a prominent feminist literary critic.
• Showalter argues that literary criticism has traditionally been dominated by male perspectives, which have marginalized women's contributions and experiences.
• She proposes that feminist literary criticism should seek to understand and highlight the unique experiences and perspectives of women writers.
• Showalter's essay categorizes feminist literary criticism into different phases, examining the evolution and goals of feminist theory in literature.
• The work is a foundational text in feminist literary studies, influencing subsequent scholarship and approaches to reading and interpreting literature through a feminist lens.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 4.

Additional Information

• Elaine Showalter: An American literary critic, feminist, and writer, known for her work in the development of feminist literary theory.
• Showalter's work often focuses on the representation of women in literature and the need for a distinct female literary tradition.
• Her influential books include "A Literature of Their Own" which explores the evolution of women writers in England.