Feminist Narrative and Lemonade

Abstract

This essay uses feminist and narrative criticism to analyze the multiple messages produced in the popular culture visual album Lemonade. The relevance of these messages and their distinct interpretations to current sociopolitical problems in American society are addressed and the sociohistorical context, specifically in terms of race relations in the United States, is established. Intersectionality is explored as an aid to established critical theories such as those employed in this analysis. Key features of the cultural artifact such as the central narrative, Black feminism, and empowerment are analyzed in depth. Metaphors are established as a way of allowing for multiple interpretations of different aspects of the artifact such as lyrics and visuals. Finally, implications for the current and future state of American society are discussed.