Human race Quote by Margaret Atwood
““I don’t want a man around, what use are they except for ten seconds’ worth of half babies. A man is just a woman’s strategy for making other women. (…) But there’s something missing in them, even the nice ones. It’s like they’re permanently absent-minded, like they can’t quite remember who they are. They look at the sky too much. They lose touch with their feet. They aren’t a patch on a woman except they’re better at fixing cars and playing football, just what we need for the improvement of the human race, right?””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood, 1985
The speaker critiques men as fleeting, superficial contributors to society, suggesting they lack self-awareness and are valued only for stereotypical skills.
In simple terms: Men are seen as shallow and disconnected.
Key Takeaway
Question gender roles and expectations.
Themes
gender
society
identity
criticism
Mood
skeptical
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- relationships
- workplace
- social expectations
- personal identity
Key Concepts
feminism
existentialism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do cultural narratives shape our view of masculinity?
- What qualities do we overlook in men?
A Different Perspective
Men can also be nurturing and emotionally present, challenging the stereotype.
![“both the Mosaic law and the grace of the new covenant, as both fitted for the times [at which they were given], were bestowed by one and the same God for the benefit of the human race.” quote by The Church Fathers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2e6/the-church-fathers-1438_human-race_both-the-mosaic-law-and-the-grace-of-the_10309.jpg)
