--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Can we really put Ben (hereby…" description: "\"“Can we really put Ben (hereby representing all men) on such a pedestal? Having tamed those beasts set aside for him, is it not like Ben to seek out th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe4/caris-o-malley-41155_quote_can-we-really-put-ben-hereby-representin_1456721.jpg" --- # Can we really put Ben (hereby representing all men) on… ![“Can we really put Ben (hereby representing all men) on such a pedestal? Having tamed those beasts set aside for him, is it not like Ben to seek out that which has historically (regardless of how brief a history) been set aside for women? Woolf criticizes the masculine in her work with the…” quote by Caris O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe4/caris-o-malley-41155_quote_can-we-really-put-ben-hereby-representin_1456721.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe4/caris-o-malley-41155_quote_can-we-really-put-ben-hereby-representin_1456721.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe4/caris-o-malley-41155_quote_can-we-really-put-ben-hereby-representin_1456721.jpg) > ““Can we really put Ben (hereby representing all men) on such a pedestal? Having tamed those beasts set aside for him, is it not like Ben to seek out that which has historically (regardless of how brief a history) been set aside for women? Woolf criticizes the masculine in her work with the repetition of the phrases uttered by that inconsiderate individual who makes the claim that women cannot paint or write. Is Ben not committing the same crime as that unfortunate character? In stating "\[b\]etter like this, bitch," Ben employs a word that I would consider to be demasculinizing, rather than feminine. In using the word bitch , he seizes this scholarly investigation and, if you will, pisses on it, claiming it as his own. His statement is an outright challenge. This is a book I stole from women, and I urinated on it. You'd better appreciate my conquest or I will also urinate on you.”” [Caris O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caris-o-malley/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage critiques gendered power dynamics, accusing Ben of appropriating and desecrating women’s creative space while using language that undermines masculinity. **In simple terms:** Ben is accused of exploiting women’s work and using demeaning language as a challenge. Key Takeaway Recognize and resist gendered appropriation. Themes gender power appropriation language challenge Mood critical defiant Type analytical provocative When to use this quote - academic debate - activism - artistic collaboration - gender studies - public discourse Key Concepts masculinity feminism literary criticism social critique Questions to Reflect On - How does language shape power relations? - What responsibilities do creators have toward marginalized voices? A Different Perspective The argument may oversimplify complex author interactions and ignore nuanced intent. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bitch Ben](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bitch-ben-5252193/) [Criticizes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/criticizes/) [Criticizes Masculine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/criticizes-masculine-5252191/) [Woolf Criticizes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/woolf-criticizes-5252192/) [Write Ben](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/write-ben-5252194/) ## Related quotes > [When someone criticizes or disagrees with you, a small ant of hatred and antagonism is born in your heart. If you do not squash…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/when-someone-criticizes-or-disagrees-with-you-a-small-ant-of-hatred/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) > [A critic knows more than the author he criticizes, or just as much, or at least somewhat less.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-edward-manning/a-critic-knows-more-than-the-author-he-criticizes-or-just-as-much-or/) [Henry Edward Manning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-edward-manning/) > [Hardly any one is able to see what is before him, just as it is in itself. He comes expecting one thing, he finds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-symons/hardly-any-one-is-able-to-see-what-is-before-him-just-as-it-is-in/) [Arthur Symons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-symons/) > [Listen more to the one who criticizes you and less to the one who praises you. Learn from them and do something about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-kagame/listen-more-to-the-one-who-criticizes-you-and-less-to-the-one-who/) [Paul Kagame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-kagame/) > [If someone criticizes me, I strike back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/romario/if-someone-criticizes-me-i-strike-back/) [Romario](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/romario/) > [“When I read the Bible, the Bible criticizes me, I don't criticize the Bible.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul-2/when-i-read-the-bible-the-bible-criticizes-me-i-don-t-criticize-the/) [R.C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul-2/) > [“Society has never helped anyone; whether you do something right or wrong, it only criticizes,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajay-k-pandey/society-has-never-helped-anyone-whether-you-do-something-right-or/) [Ajay K. Pandey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajay-k-pandey/) > [A person that always criticizes your every move doesnt deserve you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-person-that-always-criticizes-your-every-move-doesnt-deserve-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“We all know someone who criticizes us to diminish our confidence or belittle our achievements. A person so disturbed, they project their insecurity onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-wallace/we-all-know-someone-who-criticizes-us-to-diminish-our-confidence-or/) [Carlos Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-wallace/) > [If someone criticizes you, accept that with an open mind. Do not turn hostile or defensive. Be graceful and maintain your poise. You will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justice-cabral/if-someone-criticizes-you-accept-that-with-an-open-mind-do-not-turn/) [Justice Cabral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justice-cabral/) > [If you believe in what you're doing, and someone criticizes that, it's likely that they're just coming from a different place and they're bringing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilberto-hernandez-guerrero/if-you-believe-in-what-you-re-doing-and-someone-criticizes-that-it-s/) [Gilberto Hernandez Guerrero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilberto-hernandez-guerrero/) > [What the public criticizes in you, cultivate. It is you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-cocteau/what-the-public-criticizes-in-you-cultivate-it-is-you/) [Jean Cocteau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-cocteau/) > [Rush Limbaugh criticizes me a lot on the air. I take that as a badge of honor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-david/rush-limbaugh-criticizes-me-a-lot-on-the-air-i-take-that-as-a-badge/) [Laurie David](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-david/) > [“bad men... aim at getting more than their share of advantages, while in labor and public service they fall short of their share; and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/bad-men-aim-at-getting-more-than-their-share-of-advantages-while-in/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [The one who praises you is a thief. The one who criticizes you is your true friend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seungsahn/the-one-who-praises-you-is-a-thief-the-one-who-criticizes-you-is-your/) [Seungsahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seungsahn/) ## More by Caris O'Malley > [“Who the shit is Otis?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caris-o-malley/who-the-shit-is-otis/) [Caris O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caris-o-malley/) > [“There is a point where, as a writer, you grow to hate your characters, their stupid motivations, and their whiny inner dialogues. The only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caris-o-malley/there-is-a-point-where-as-a-writer-you-grow-to-hate-your-characters/) [Caris O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caris-o-malley/) > [“I don't ever want to read a book with the word globe in it again.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caris-o-malley/i-don-t-ever-want-to-read-a-book-with-the-word-globe-in-it-again/) [Caris O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caris-o-malley/) > [“Fuck you, Mr. Beatty!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caris-o-malley/fuck-you-mr-beatty/) [Caris O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caris-o-malley/) > [“I am the O'Malley and I will not take your shit.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caris-o-malley/i-am-the-o-malley-and-i-will-not-take-your-shit/) [Caris O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caris-o-malley/) > [“So what do you do?' she asked. 'I sneak around at night, well, usually at night, and gather coins out of fountains', I said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caris-o-malley/so-what-do-you-do-she-asked-i-sneak-around-at-night-well-usually-at/) [Caris O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caris-o-malley/) > [“You are s urprisingly immature. I c an't eve r understand h o w you resor t to giggling at the slightest provocation. Yo…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caris-o-malley/you-are-s-urprisingly-immature-i-c-an-t-eve-r-understand-h-o-w-you/) [Caris O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caris-o-malley/) > [“What the fuck did you do to my hamster?!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caris-o-malley/what-the-fuck-did-you-do-to-my-hamster/) [Caris O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caris-o-malley/) > [“For the first time, I smelled her. I can't describe the smell. Flowery, yet somehow musty, like a beautiful woman with the soul of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caris-o-malley/for-the-first-time-i-smelled-her-i-can-t-describe-the-smell-flowery/) [Caris O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caris-o-malley/) [Explore all 10 Caris O'Malley quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caris-o-malley/) ## More Criticizes quotes > [When someone criticizes or disagrees with you, a small ant of hatred and antagonism is born in your heart. If you do not squash…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/when-someone-criticizes-or-disagrees-with-you-a-small-ant-of-hatred/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) > [“bad men... aim at getting more than their share of advantages, while in labor and public service they fall short of their share; and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/bad-men-aim-at-getting-more-than-their-share-of-advantages-while-in/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [Rush Limbaugh criticizes me a lot on the air. I take that as a badge of honor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-david/rush-limbaugh-criticizes-me-a-lot-on-the-air-i-take-that-as-a-badge/) [Laurie David](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-david/) > [What the public criticizes in you, cultivate. It is you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-cocteau/what-the-public-criticizes-in-you-cultivate-it-is-you/) [Jean Cocteau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-cocteau/) > [If you believe in what you're doing, and someone criticizes that, it's likely that they're just coming from a different place and they're bringing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilberto-hernandez-guerrero/if-you-believe-in-what-you-re-doing-and-someone-criticizes-that-it-s/) [Gilberto Hernandez Guerrero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilberto-hernandez-guerrero/) > [If someone criticizes you, accept that with an open mind. Do not turn hostile or defensive. Be graceful and maintain your poise. You will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justice-cabral/if-someone-criticizes-you-accept-that-with-an-open-mind-do-not-turn/) [Justice Cabral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justice-cabral/) > [“We all know someone who criticizes us to diminish our confidence or belittle our achievements. A person so disturbed, they project their insecurity onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-wallace/we-all-know-someone-who-criticizes-us-to-diminish-our-confidence-or/) [Carlos Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-wallace/) > [A person that always criticizes your every move doesnt deserve you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-person-that-always-criticizes-your-every-move-doesnt-deserve-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Society has never helped anyone; whether you do something right or wrong, it only criticizes,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajay-k-pandey/society-has-never-helped-anyone-whether-you-do-something-right-or/) [Ajay K. Pandey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajay-k-pandey/) > [“When I read the Bible, the Bible criticizes me, I don't criticize the Bible.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul-2/when-i-read-the-bible-the-bible-criticizes-me-i-don-t-criticize-the/) [R.C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul-2/) > [If someone criticizes me, I strike back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/romario/if-someone-criticizes-me-i-strike-back/) [Romario](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/romario/) > [Listen more to the one who criticizes you and less to the one who praises you. Learn from them and do something about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-kagame/listen-more-to-the-one-who-criticizes-you-and-less-to-the-one-who/) [Paul Kagame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-kagame/) > [Hardly any one is able to see what is before him, just as it is in itself. He comes expecting one thing, he finds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-symons/hardly-any-one-is-able-to-see-what-is-before-him-just-as-it-is-in/) [Arthur Symons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-symons/) > [A critic knows more than the author he criticizes, or just as much, or at least somewhat less.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-edward-manning/a-critic-knows-more-than-the-author-he-criticizes-or-just-as-much-or/) [Henry Edward Manning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-edward-manning/) > [The one who praises you is a thief. The one who criticizes you is your true friend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seungsahn/the-one-who-praises-you-is-a-thief-the-one-who-criticizes-you-is-your/) [Seungsahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seungsahn/) [Browse all 54 Criticizes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/criticizes/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Can we really put Ben (hereby representing all men) on such a pedestal? Having tamed those beasts set aside for him, is it not like Ben to seek out that which has historically (regardless of how brief a history) been set aside for women? Woolf criticizes the masculine in her work with the repetition of the phrases uttered by that inconsiderate individual who makes the claim that women cannot paint or write. Is Ben not committing the same crime as that unfortunate character? In stating \"[b]etter like this, bitch,\" Ben employs a word that I would consider to be demasculinizing, rather than feminine. In using the word bitch , he seizes this scholarly investigation and, if you will, pisses on it, claiming it as his own. His statement is an outright challenge. This is a book I stole from women, and I urinated on it. 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