You know, whenever women make imaginary female kingdoms in literature, they are always very permissive, to use the jargon word, and easy and generous and self-indulgent, like the relationships between women when there are no men around. They make each other presents, and they have little feasts, and nobody punishes anyone else. This is the female way of going along when there are no men about or when men are not in the ascendant.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Female characters in literature often create harmonious, indulgent communities when men are absent. This reflects a desire for relationships free from patriarchal control.
- In plain terms
- Women in books often create kind worlds when men are not there.
- What can you take from it?
- Absence of dominance allows for more generous relationships.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do power dynamics shape stories?
- Is this portrayal accurate today?
Another view
This generalization may not apply to all female-authored works.
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