Contempt Quote by Émile Zola
““In the midst of these fine gentlemen with their great names and their ancient traditions of respectability, the two women sat face to face, exchanging tender glances, triumphant and supreme in the tranquil abuse of their sex, and their open contempt for the male. And the gentlemen applauded them.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Germinal by Émile Zola, 1885
Women subtly subvert male dominance through intimate solidarity, while men applaud their power play.
In simple terms: Women use intimacy to challenge men.
Key Takeaway
Recognize subtle power dynamics.
Themes
gender
power
subversion
solidarity
Mood
irious
reflective
Type
social commentary
literary
When to use this quote
- workplace
- social gatherings
- family events
- political movements
Key Concepts
feminist critique
social hierarchy
Questions to Reflect On
- How do small acts of defiance reshape gender norms?
- What role does male approval play in reinforcing or challenging power?
A Different Perspective
May overlook overt oppression behind polite applause.
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![“His response to them [women] as sexual beings was one of frenzied worship and idolatry. They were lovely, satisfying, maddening manifestations of the miraculous, instruments of pleasure too powerful to be measured, too keen to be endured, and too exquisite to be intended for employment by base…” quote by Joseph Heller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/392/joseph-heller-601_quote_his-response-to-them-women-as-sexual-bei_591961.jpg)
![“Every person of any rank in the left, from voter on up to cabinet member to elected official in the Democrat Party, has contempt. We [Republicans] are the number one enemy. And they will put aside whatever differences they have.” quote by Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/08a/rush-limbaugh-28_cabinets_every-person-of-any-rank-in-the-left-fro_29974.jpg){kind=icon}