Sex pleasure in woman, as I have said, is a kind of magic spell; it demands complete abandon; if words or movements oppose the magic of caresses, the spell is broken.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Sexual pleasure for women is likened to a magical spell that requires total surrender; any interruption breaks the enchantment.
- In plain terms
- Women’s sexual pleasure needs full abandon, or it stops.
- What can you take from it?
- Recognize the importance of letting go in intimacy.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is surrender always necessary for pleasure?
- How does this view align with consent?
Another view
The metaphor may oversimplify diverse experiences of pleasure.
More from Simone De Beauvoir
On ne nait pas femme: on le devient.
Permalink to quote #52 To 'catch' a husband is an art; to 'hold' him is a job.
Permalink to quote #54 One is not born a genius, one becomes a genius; and the feminine situation has up to the present rendered this becoming practically impossible.
Permalink to quote #51
Related quotes
All this fuss about sleeping together. For physical pleasure I'd sooner go to my dentist any day.
Evelyn WaughEvelyn Waugh quote #2 I love the sound of a woman in the throes of rapture - but not screamers.
Kevin KlineKevin Kline quote #4 Britney: What's your favorite sex position?
Britney SpearsBritney Spears quote #17