So much food for thought. I feel as though we are rapidly losing not only the context for older texts but also an awareness that we need to seek out that context to understand them. The way de Beauvoir has been translated adds to this problem.
Exactly, Susanna. There are so many angles to take into account, not least the translation of texts and the culture, society, and politics of when it was written. Thank you for reading and commenting.
I really like that you noted their right to fail at something. It takes a step back from whether or not they did fail, and asserts instead their imperfect humanness.
Thanks, Pamela. Yes, I think it's sometimes useful to acknowledge that even the people we look up to are just as human as we are. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Really compelling points here. If feminism is to have choice, then not any single person can embody all those choices. It would be impossible to live exactly that multitude. I like the idea about Beauvoir living “alongside” the question of her best and worst actions.
Yes! That was exactly the quotation that resonated with me, too. Also, I agree that none of us could embody some kind of 'ideal' of feminism or any other ideology. Thanks for reading and commenting.
So much food for thought. I feel as though we are rapidly losing not only the context for older texts but also an awareness that we need to seek out that context to understand them. The way de Beauvoir has been translated adds to this problem.
Exactly, Susanna. There are so many angles to take into account, not least the translation of texts and the culture, society, and politics of when it was written. Thank you for reading and commenting.
I really like that you noted their right to fail at something. It takes a step back from whether or not they did fail, and asserts instead their imperfect humanness.
Thanks, Pamela. Yes, I think it's sometimes useful to acknowledge that even the people we look up to are just as human as we are. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Laing, Sontag, and Beauvoir: an imposing trio of brilliant minds. Thanks for this!
You're welcome! Thanks for reading : )
There is so much to chew over indeed in this. I really like the objectivity of the piece and the way it is so accessible to read.
Glad you connected with it! Thank you for reading and commenting.
Thank you, Kate. A fantastic essay as always and some really great points to think about.
Thanks, Victoria : )
Really compelling points here. If feminism is to have choice, then not any single person can embody all those choices. It would be impossible to live exactly that multitude. I like the idea about Beauvoir living “alongside” the question of her best and worst actions.
Yes! That was exactly the quotation that resonated with me, too. Also, I agree that none of us could embody some kind of 'ideal' of feminism or any other ideology. Thanks for reading and commenting.