Skip to content

Frigidity is desire imagined by a woman who doesnt desire…

“Frigidity is desire imagined by a woman who doesnt desire the man offering himself to her. Its the desire of a woman for a man who hasnt yet come to her, whom she doesnt yet know. Shes faithful to this stranger even before she belongs to him. Frigidity is the non-desire for whatever is not him.” quote by Marguerite Duras
Download Open image
“Frigidity is desire imagined by a woman who doesnt desire the man offering himself to her. Its the desire of a woman for a man who hasnt yet come to her, whom she doesnt yet know. Shes faithful to this stranger even before she belongs to him. Frigidity is the non-desire for whatever is not him.”

Marguerite Duras

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A woman’s longing can be directed toward an imagined partner rather than the present one, creating a paradox of desire and indifference.

In simple terms: Desire for an imagined lover, not the real one.

Key Takeaway

Recognize when longing is about fantasy, not reality.

Themes

desire fantasy identity relationships

Mood

melancholic introspective

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • unrequited love
  • self‑reflection
  • relationship counseling
  • creative writing

Key Concepts

psychology existentialism gender dynamics

Questions to Reflect On

  • What does your desire reveal about your current relationships?
  • How might you shift focus from imagined to present connections?
A Different Perspective

The concept may overlook genuine emotional disengagement versus cultural expectations.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Marguerite Duras

Explore all 129 Marguerite Duras quotes

More Desire quotes

Browse all 15,155 Desire quotes