Class Quote by Andrea Dworkin
“Erotica is simply high-class pornography; better produced, better conceived, better executed, better packaged, designed for a better class of consumer.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Pornography: Men Possessing Women, 1981
Erotica is distinguished from pornography by quality, intent, and target audience, suggesting a higher artistic standard.
In simple terms: Erotica is refined porn for discerning consumers.
Key Takeaway
Recognize nuanced differences in sexual media.
Themes
art
sexuality
culture
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
educational
controversial
When to use this quote
- literature analysis
- content rating
- consumer education
Key Concepts
Feminist theory
media studies
Questions to Reflect On
- Who decides what qualifies as “high‑class”?
- Does labeling reduce stigma or reinforce hierarchies?
A Different Perspective
Counterpoint: Distinctions are subjective and can be used to excuse exploitation.
![“[I]n the male sexual lexicon, which is the vocabulary of power, erotica is simply high-class pornography: better produced, better conceived, better executed, better packaged, designed for a better class of consumer. As with the call girl and the streetwalker, one is turned out better but both are…” quote by Andrea Dworkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/885/andrea-dworkin-1998_class_i-n-the-male-sexual-lexicon-which-is-the_2514662.jpg)
![“[Erotica] contains the idea of love, positive choice, and the yearning for a particular person.” quote by Gloria Steinem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/761/gloria-steinem-277_choices_erotica-contains-the-idea-of-love-positi_2104149.jpg)
