The Second Sex
"The Second Sex" by Simone de Beauvoir is a foundational feminist text that explores the historical and social constructs of women's oppression. De Beauvoir examines the ways in which women have been defined as the "Other" in relation to men, analyzing various aspects of female existence, including sexuality, motherhood, and work. The book advocates for women's liberation and the necessity of achieving equality through existential freedom and self-definition.
10 curated highlights from this book
Key Insights & Memorable Quotes
Below are the most impactful passages and quotes from The Second Sex, carefully selected to capture the essence of the book.
One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman.
The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any.
Man is defined as a human being and woman as a female - whenever she behaves as a human being she is said to imitate the male.
To be oneself, one must be free.
The body is not a mere biological fact; it is a historical and cultural fact.
One's freedom is not a gift from others; it is the result of one's own actions.
The oppressed, having been denied rights, have a different perspective on the world.
A woman is not an object but a subject.
The liberation of women is the liberation of humanity.