Feminism Quote by Thomas Hardy
“The only superiority in women that is tolerable to therival sex is, as a rule, that of the unconscious kind; but a superiority which recognizes itself may sometimes please by suggesting possibilities of capture to the subordinated man.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Tess of the d'Urbervilles, 1891, literary fiction
A tolerable female superiority is unconscious; conscious superiority may tempt men to dominate.
In simple terms: Unconscious female advantage is okay; aware advantage can be threatening.
Key Takeaway
Beware of power dynamics in gender relations.
Themes
gender
power
psychology
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
social
philosophical
When to use this quote
- workplace interactions
- personal relationships
- cultural narratives
Key Concepts
feminist theory
social hierarchy
Questions to Reflect On
- How does awareness affect equality?
- Can conscious superiority be positive?
A Different Perspective
May generalize complex gender experiences.
![“[N]ow that I am drawing to the close of this work, in which I have spoken of so many important things done by the Americans, to what the singular prosperity and growing strength of that people ought mainly to be attributed, I should reply: To the superiority of their women.” quote by Alexis de Tocqueville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3bc/alexis-de-tocqueville-625_19th-century_n-ow-that-i-am-drawing-to-the-close-of-t_2080873.jpg)
