Identifying patriarchy as a socially conditioned belief system masquerading as nature, the author demonstrates how its attitudes and systems penetrate literature, philosophy, psychology, and politics. Her work rocked the foundations of the literary canon by castigating time-honored classics for their use of sex to degrade women.
brilliant historic /literary analysis that prompted the modern women's movement
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 16 years ago
A must read for anyone interested in 20th century history, especially feminist herstory. Millett's brilliantly analytical mind deftly summarizes sexist milestones in literature all too often glossed over by the critics. Millett's successive prefaces from one decade to the next to introduce each new edition - are especially illuminating.
Fasinating Essay
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 16 years ago
This book is written in a very interesting way. Millet basically critiques different pieces of literature for their subliminal (and sometimes overt) sexist comments and connotations. The passages she writes about are very graphic and interesting; however, it is her analysis that is truly fascinating. It's a great read for feminists and non-feminists alike. The book is incredibly interesting and captivating according to everyone that I know has read it.
The First of Its Kind
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 22 years ago
It would be difficult to overstate the historical importance of Kate Millett's book today. In 1970, her pioneering analysis of mysogyny in American literature was a radical break from tradition and a risky move for a young scholar. In addition to helping to inaugurate a new school of literary criticism, feminist analysis, this book was highly influential among a certain segment of the women's movement of the 1970's. It is a must read for anyone seeking to understand that movement or the origins of feminist literary criticism.
classic
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 23 years ago
This is a classic feminist text, and I'm glad it's finally back it print. Although written twenty years ago, it is still incredibly relevant today. Some of the statistics she sites may be different now, but, alas, little else is. This book examines the societal values, constructs, and philospohies that oppress women, and how these values are both reflected in and reinforced by works of literature. It was her doctoral dissertation, so it is scholarly and academic, but it is still a fascinating book. This could be considered the book that started the second wave of feminism, and it is still just as important for today's feminists as it was then.
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