Every man Quote by Doris Lessing
““Ella had considered this before, with amusement. But she is thinking: No. If they had thought us Lesbian it would have attracted them, they would have been around in swarms. Every man I’ve ever known has spoken with relish—either openly or unconsciously, about Lesbians. It’s an aspect of their incredible vanity: seeing themselves as redeemers of these lost females””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Golden Notebook, Doris Lessing, 1962
The quote critiques how men claim to “save” lesbians, revealing their ego‑driven desire to appear heroic while objectifying women.
In simple terms: Men boast about rescuing lesbians to boost their own image.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and challenge self‑serving narratives about gender.
Themes
gender
ego
objectification
heroism
feminism
Mood
critical
reflective
defiant
Type
analytical
commentary
When to use this quote
- literary analysis
- gender studies
- social commentary
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
masculine pride
social performance
female agency
Questions to Reflect On
- How does this narrative affect lesbian identity?
- What alternative ways can men support without centering themselves?
A Different Perspective
It overlooks lesbians’ own agency and reduces them to a male fantasy.
![“[E]ven today, when confident and self-affirmative lesbian identities have emerged and are available to women, images of 'lesbianism’ are still regularly appropriated by a male heterosexual pornographic imagination which cannot accept that this is one party to which men are not invited and at which…” quote by Nivedita Menon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/55b/nivedita-menon-63731_male-gaze_e-ven-today-when-confident-and-self-affi_176734.jpg)
![“Vote for Donald Trump. You're going to see something and you'll be so happy, you'll be so thrilled. This [presidential] election is about every man, woman and child in our country who deserves to live in safety, prosperity and peace, so true.” quote by Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/18e/donald-trump-18_children_vote-for-donald-trump-you-re-going-to-se_1553.jpg)
