Courage Quote by John Irving
““It galls me that seeking out the seedy, the sordid, the sexual, and the deviant is the expected (if not altogether acceptable) behavior of male writers; it would surely benefit me, as a writer, if I had the courage to seek out more of the seedy, the sordid, the sexual, and the deviant myself. But women who seek out such things are made to feel ashamed, or else they sound stridently ridiculous in defending themselves -- as if they're bragging. ... Yet there are subjects that remain off-limits for women writers. It's not unlike that dichotomy which exists regarding one's sexual past: it is permissible, even attractive, for a man to have had one, but if a woman has had a sexual past, she'd better keep quiet about it.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Limits of Female Narrative, 1998
Male writers are encouraged to explore taboo subjects, while women face shame for the same, creating a gendered double standard.
In simple terms: Women writers are discouraged from exploring taboo topics unlike men.
Key Takeaway
Challenge gendered expectations in storytelling.
Themes
gender
literature
taboo
double standard
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- publishing industry
- creative workshops
- academic curricula
- media criticism
Key Concepts
feminist critique
creative freedom
censorship
social norms
Questions to Reflect On
- How can women reclaim taboo narratives?
- What impact does this double standard have on literature?
A Different Perspective
Changing norms may be slow and face resistance.
![“JUST BECAUSE A BUNCH OF ATHEISTS ARE BETTER WRITERS THAN THE GUYS WHO WROTE THE BIBLE DOESN'T NECESSARILY MAKE THEM RIGHT!" [Owen Meany] said crossly. "LOOK AT THOSE WEIRDO TV MIRACLE-WORKERS--THEY'RE TRYING TO GET PEOPLE TO BELIEVE IN MAGIC! BUT THE REAL MIRACLES AREN'T ANYTHING YOU CAN…” quote by John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/70e/john-irving-337_atheists_just-because-a-bunch-of-atheists-are-bet_31804.jpg)
