Feminism, like African American Criticism and Marxism, seeks to expose power structures. When using feminist theory to analyze a literary work, there is a focus on the political, social and emotional oppression of women by more powerful men. This constructed patriarchy creates the universal male experience in which both sexes are evaluated. This construct creates false binaries based on male and female behaviors, men exhibiting the more desired behaviors. For example, men are thought to be logical, whereas women are emotional. Likewise, women are pitted against each other through strict binaries, like virgin or whore.

In “Eveline,” the main character must rely on men for her happiness, which in turn causes social and emotional oppression. Likewise, her fear of what other people will think about he for running off with Frank when they are not married affects her decision to stay with her father. These examples help to expose the patriarchal structures as well as supports the idea that women are not able to take care of themselves and only have purpose when serving men. Eveline has to choose between men in order to be happy, but does not think to pull her own resources, as a women who works and is able to run a full house, to support her own happiness.

Kate Millet is one of the contributors to feminist theory. She explains that sex is biological and pertains to what sex we are at birth, whereas gender is a social construct. Gender in created by societal beliefs of what make a women good or bad, like domesticity and being a nurturer. Likewise, the male gender should be strong and not show emotion. These gender roles are not innate and must be taught and practiced for one to be feminine or masculine.