The Edible Woman (1969), Atwood's first novel, concerns a young, recently engaged woman who finds herself paralyzed by the decisions she must make about her future.

Judy Brady Syfer's classic essay, "I Want a Wife" (1971), often provokes strong reactions from both men and women in its definition of what the duties of a wife entail.

Jamaica Kincaid's "Girl" (1978) and Annie John (1983) are works that explore how women socialize each other into subservience to men.

May Swenson's poem "Bleeding" (1970) looks at power plays between victim and victimizer.

Deborah Tannen's You Just Don't Understand (1996) explores the differences between how men and women communicate.

Marge Percy's poems "The Token Woman" (1976) and "Barbie Doll" are acidic comments on what it means to be female.

Angela Carter's story "The Company of Wolves" (1979) reworks the fairy tale of Little Red Riding Hood and explores the relationship between...