In the 1980's women's writing asserted itself as the central project of feminist literary study through hundreds of essays and research papers. In the 1970s, French Feminist theories had certain differences of opinion with the American feminist movements and theories. Differences were mainly regarding the method of study. But now, they are solved. The new French feminism have much in common with radical American feminist theories. The concept of ecriture feminine, is a significant theoretical formulation in French feminist criticism today. Showalter comments "ecriture feminine is a hope for the future".
The three major national variants in feminist criticism Showalter talks about are:
a) English Feminist Criticism which is essentially Marxist. In the analysis of women issues, it stresses oppression.
b) French Feminist Criticism. This is essentially Psychoanalytic. In its methods of reading and theory, French Feminist Criticism stress Repression.
c) American Feminist criticism. This school is essentially Textual. In the analysis of women's issues American Feminist Criticism stresses Expression.
With all there differences, the three variants have still become gynocrtic. Theories of women's writing presently make use of four models of difference. The are: Biological, linguistic, psychoanalytic and cultural. Each model represents a school of gynocentric feminist criticism. Each has its own favourite texts, styles and methods.
