Susan Gubar is a trailblazing figure in feminist literary criticism, renowned for her insightful exploration of gender and literature. Born in Brooklyn in 1944, she has shaped academic discourse through her groundbreaking collaborations and solo works. From her academic beginnings to her influential publications, Gubar's contributions continue to resonate in the fields of English and women's studies.

Academic Foundations

Gubar's educational journey began in New York City, where she earned her bachelor's degree in English literature from the City University of New York in 1965. She furthered her studies with a master's degree at the University of Michigan in 1968, culminating in a Ph.D. from the University of Iowa in 1972. Her teaching career commenced at the University of Chicago, and by 1973, she had joined Indiana University. It was there she became a distinguished professor, marking significant contributions to English and women's studies.

Woman-Centered Criticism

Gubar's approach to feminist literary analysis is widely recognized as woman-centered, a perspective shared by eminent scholars like Sandra Gilbert, Luce Irigaray, Kate Millett, Adrienne Rich, and Elaine Showalter. This approach emphasizes the critical examination of women's experiences in literature, arguing for their rightful place in academic study. Woman-centered critique explores how gender shapes literary forms and advocates for authentic representation of women's voices. It challenges traditional male-centric narratives, seeking to uncover a unique women's language and expression.

Collaboration with Sandra Gilbert

In 1979, Gubar and Sandra Gilbert published the seminal work The Madwoman in the Attic, which became a cornerstone of feminist literary theory. This influential book was recognized with nominations for prestigious awards, such as the National Book Critics Circle Award and the Pulitzer Prize. Their analysis centered on the works of nineteenth-century British and American women writers like Jane Austen, Mary Shelley, and the Brontë sisters. Gubar and Gilbert aimed to highlight a female literary tradition but uncovered the challenges female authors faced. They argued that women's voices were either distorted by male authors or constrained by societal norms, even when women themselves wrote fiction.

Extending the Feminist Dialogue

The duo's trilogy, No Man’s Land, expanded the discussion to encompass a broader spectrum of race and ethnicity. This trilogy offered a fresh feminist perspective on literature across a century, examining gender conflicts. Additionally, Gubar and Gilbert contributed to Mothersongs, a poetry collection that celebrates mothers, and Masterpiece Theatre: An Academic Melodrama, which critiqued the merging of critical and popular culture.

Anthologizing Women's Voices

Gubar and Gilbert's work as coeditors of The Norton Anthology of Literature by Women was groundbreaking, as it compiled significant works by female authors across genres. This anthology has become a staple in women’s literature courses nationwide, despite facing criticism for potentially replicating exclusionary practices. Critics questioned whether creating a separate canon for women perpetuated the same hierarchical structures it sought to dismantle. Nevertheless, the anthology was celebrated for its contributions, earning Gubar and Gilbert the title of Ms. Magazine's Women of the Year in 1985.

Solo Scholarly Contributions

In addition to her collaborative works, Gubar has penned significant solo studies, such as Racechanges and Critical Condition. Racechanges delves into the complexities of cross-racial art and its role in highlighting racial divisions. Gubar examines artistic and social scenarios where racial identities are performed or perceived, such as blackface in theater or authors writing across racial lines. While mimicry can be seen as mockery, Gubar suggests it might also conceal admiration. Critical Condition reflects on feminist scholarship as the twentieth century closed, advocating for a renewed and revitalized feminist discourse.

Recognition and Ongoing Influence

Gubar's scholarly excellence has been recognized with awards from esteemed institutions like the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Guggenheim Foundation. Her tenure as a Laurence S. Rockefeller Fellow at Princeton allowed her to explore complex themes in works like Poetry After Auschwitz: Remembering What One Never Knew, published in 2003. Gubar's work remains vital to understanding the intersections of gender, literature, and cultural representation.