Death to Feminists in Ode to the Death of a Favorite CatFor any scholar, the feminist method of literary criticism is something that can no longer be swept under the rug and ignored. But before this modern idea invades literary society and causes great suffering, we should read a simple, yet subtle poem by the English poet Thomas Gray. In “Ode to the Death of a Favorite Cat, Drowned in a Tub of Goldfishes,” Gray gives a solemn warning to those who would use feminism too freely and unchecked to prevent its attempts to overtake literary criticism. method. It has its origins in the 50s and 60s but only really took shape with the feminist movements of the 70s and 80s. It was only in the 90s that it became a standard in school textbooks. This triumph of feminine thought has reached its climax and many authors seek to use this technique to criticize society. Authors like Eleanor Wilner, for example, have used their feminist poetry to malign the “male-dominated” society in which humans currently reside. feminist thought, or “gold” as Thomas Gray too hastily puts it. Thomas Gray illustrates this in "Ode to the Death of a Favorite Cat" by using the cat as a symbol for women who seek to use the method for their own purposes, such as Eleanor Wilner. In line 23, Gray notes, "What woman's heart can gold despise?" This 250-year-old question poses an ominous warning to those who see it. Using the feminist method over and over again can also lead to problems. Over time, people can become so fed up with the idea that everything views women as inferior that it can become an idea in itself. Without follow-up, the idea will cease to be put into practice. The following Grays point out Dolphin, Nereid, Tom and Susan, but none came to save their drowning comrade for "A favorite has no friend!" (Double 34-36)