Books Quote by Doris Lessing
“You know, whenever women make imaginary female kingdoms in literature, they are always very permissive, to use the jargon word, and easy and generous and self-indulgent, like the relationships between women when there are no men around. They make each other presents, and they have little feasts, and nobody punishes anyone else. This is the female way of going along when there are no men about or when men are not in the ascendant.”
About This Quote
The quote critiques how fictional female societies are idealized as harmonious and indulgent, suggesting this reflects a gendered expectation that women thrive only in the absence of men.
In simple terms: Idealized female utopias are gendered fantasies.
Key Takeaway
Female spaces are portrayed as inherently peaceful.
Themes
gender roles
utopia
literary critique
power dynamics
female solidarity
Mood
thoughtful
critical
analytical
Type
observation
critique
analysis
When to use this quote
- writing feminist fiction
- analyzing gendered narratives
- teaching literature
- discussing societal expectations
- examining power vacuums
Key Concepts
female agency
men's influence
social structure
narrative tropes
Practical Applications
- critical literary analysis
- gender studies coursework
Questions to Reflect On
- How does the absence of men shape the depicted dynamics?
- What does this say about our expectations of gendered leadership?
A Different Perspective
Some argue that such portrayals can reinforce stereotypes by implying women need men to create conflict or drive progress, which may oversimplify women's capacities for complex societies.
