The Female Man Philosophical Viewpoints: Feminism Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Part.Section.Paragraph)

Quote #1

A MANUFACTURER OF CARS FROM LEEDS (genteelly): I hear so much about the New Feminism here in America. Surely it's not necessary, is it? (He beams with the delighted air of someone who has just given pleasure to a whole roomful of people.) (3.2.44)

It's a remarkable fact that no male characters in The Female Man ever go on angry, argumentative, anti-feminist rants. For them, it's simple enough to dismiss the movement by making jokes.

Quote #2

"I would suhtinly like," said Saccharissa with great energy, "to see all those women athletes from the Olympics compete will all those men athletes; I don't imagine any of these women athletes could even come neah the men." (3.2.112)

Like most of the women at the party on Riverside Drive, including Joanna herself, Saccharissa is deeply invested in patriarchal norms. Her opinion of women is as low as those of the men whom she's working so hard to impress.

Quote #3

He leaned forward confidentially. "What do you think of the new feminism, eh?"

"What is—" (she tried again) "what is—my English is not so good. Could you explain?"

"Well, what do you think of women? Do you think women can compete with men?"

"I don't know any men." She's beginning to get mad.

"Ha ha!" said Sharp Glasses. "Ha ha ha! Ha ha!" (He laughed just like that, in sharp little bursts.) "My name's Ewing. What's yours?"

"Janet."

"Well, Janet, I'll tell you what I think of the new feminism. I think it's a mistake. A very bad mistake." (3.2.122-28)

Like the Car Manufacturer from Leeds, Ewing assumes that dismissing the feminist movement—and expounding upon Manhattan's rape statistics while he's at it—is a great conversation topic, and a good way to pick up women. Why, dude?