Knowledge Bank

This paper examines the depiction of the female body and female sexuality in Darcey Steinke's novels through the lens of postfeminism. Though not expressly classified as a postfeminist writer, Steinke supports some postfeminist ideas in her literature, one example of which is women using their bodies and sexuality for self-definition, self-expression, and personal empowerment. However, her literature also challenges those same ideas: though her women are technically empowered by using their bodies and sexualities to achieve their ends, most of them do not end up fulfilled, and instead fall short of satisfaction. The effect of sexuality on the self and others is examined, as well as the effects of self and others on sexual expression.