As Atwood concludes after a random and informal sampling…
““As Atwood concludes after a random and informal sampling, men and women differ markedly in the 'scope of their threatenability': 'Why do men feel threatened by woman?' I asked a male friend of mine…'[M]en are bigger, most of the time...and they have on the average a lot more money and power.' 'They're afraid women will laugh at them,' he said. 'Undercut their world view.' Then I asked some women students in a quickie poetry seminar I was giving, 'Why do women feel threatened by men?' 'They're afraid of being killed,' they said'.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Men feel threatened by women's power and ridicule; women fear violence from men.
In simple terms: Men fear loss of status; women fear physical harm.
Address gender power imbalances and safety.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- workplace training
- policy making
- education
- support services
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we reduce mutual fear between genders?
- What policies protect both groups effectively?
Complex cultural factors shape these fears beyond simple power dynamics.