Books Quote by Howard Mittelmark
““The male author unthinkingly creates a world in which every single member of society is male except—hey presto!—when the protagonist feels like getting laid. Especially common in science fiction; apparently many writers assume that in the future women will die out.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Gender Representation in Science Fiction, 2015
Critiques the default male‑centric worldbuilding in speculative fiction, highlighting how it marginalizes women and reinforces stereotypes.
In simple terms: Science fiction often assumes male dominance, ignoring women.
Key Takeaway
Challenge gender assumptions in storytelling.
Themes
gender bias
representation
science fiction
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
literary
social
When to use this quote
- writing sci‑fi novels
- editing for diversity
- teaching inclusive worldbuilding
Key Concepts
patriarchy
inclusion
stereotypes
Questions to Reflect On
- How would a story change if women were central?
- What barriers prevent diverse representation?
A Different Perspective
Male‑only narratives can limit creativity and audience relevance.
![“If woman had no existence save in the fiction written by men, one would imagine her a person of the utmost importance (...); as great as a man, some think even greater. But this is woman in fiction. In fact, as Professor Trevelyan points out [in his History of England ], she was locked up, beaten…” quote by Virginia Woolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/755/virginia-woolf-49_abuse_if-woman-had-no-existence-save-in-the-fi_1851263.jpg)
