The Feminist Voice: Strategies of Coding in Folklore and Literature

Abstract

Drawing on interdisciplinary feminist scholarship, we propose a theory of coding and a provisional formal typology of coding strategies in women's folklore and literature. Women's creations and performances often covertly express ideas and attitudes proscribed by the dominant culture. We identify and illustrate six primary strategies of coding: appropriation, juxtaposition, distraction, indirection, trivialization, and incompetence.