--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Literature is always what the dominant…" description: "\"Literature is always what the dominant ideology recognizes as literature.\" — Simone de Beauvoir" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85d/simone-de-beauvoir-407_books_literature-is-always-what-the-dominant-i_764214.jpg" --- # Literature is always what the dominant ideology recognizes… ![“Literature is always what the dominant ideology recognizes as literature.” quote by Simone de Beauvoir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85d/simone-de-beauvoir-407_books_literature-is-always-what-the-dominant-i_764214.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85d/simone-de-beauvoir-407_books_literature-is-always-what-the-dominant-i_764214.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85d/simone-de-beauvoir-407_books_literature-is-always-what-the-dominant-i_764214.jpg) > “Literature is always what the dominant ideology recognizes as literature.” [Simone de Beauvoir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-de-beauvoir/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Literature reflects the power structures that define what is accepted as canonical. **In simple terms:** Power shapes what counts as literature. Key Takeaway Question dominant narratives. Themes power ideology canon Mood critical analytical Type philosophical feminist When to use this quote - academic curricula - publishing industry - media criticism Key Concepts feminist theory cultural hegemony Questions to Reflect On - Whose voices are excluded from the canon? - How can we broaden literary definitions? A Different Perspective Alternative voices can be marginalized. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Dominant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dominant/) [Dominant Ideology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dominant-ideology-247842/) [Ideology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideology/) [Ideology Recognizes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideology-recognizes-5920235/) [Literature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/literature/) [Literature Dominant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/literature-dominant-5920233/) [Recognizes Literature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/recognizes-literature-5920234/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) ## Related quotes > [Beauty is the product of the dominant ideology. (Thus when ideology changes, the ideal body follows.) 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There are so many other ways of exploring humanity - by ethnology, psychoanalysis, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-de-beauvoir/in-fact-people-seem-to-be-tired-of-fiction-now-there-are-so-many/) [Simone de Beauvoir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-de-beauvoir/) > [Feminism is one way of attacking society as it now exists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-de-beauvoir/feminism-is-one-way-of-attacking-society-as-it-now-exists/) [Simone de Beauvoir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-de-beauvoir/) > [“Magari mi troverai ridicola, ma mi disprezzerei se non osassi esserlo mai”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-de-beauvoir/magari-mi-troverai-ridicola-ma-mi-disprezzerei-se-non-osassi-esserlo/) [Simone de Beauvoir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-de-beauvoir/) > [from one minute to the next the present is merely an honorary past. It must be filled unceasingly anew to dissemble the curse it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-de-beauvoir/from-one-minute-to-the-next-the-present-is-merely-an-honorary-past-it/) [Simone de Beauvoir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-de-beauvoir/) > [I am awfully greedy; I want everything from life. 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