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Right-Wing Women by Andrea Dworkin | Abortion | Chapter 3
Welcome to another discussion post for Right-Wing Women: The Politics of Domesticated Females by Andrea Dworkin.
In this post, we are discussing Chapter 3 Abortion.
Share your thoughts on this chapter and overal book section in the comments. (Feel free to also share thoughts and suggestions on the discussion post and bookclub structure itself.)
Anyone who hasn't read the book but wants to give input on the topics discussed are welcome to as well! (I recommend mentioning that you haven't read the chapter in your post, so people are aware of that when replying.)
Readers are welcome to join in at anytime. Find a free copy of the book at frauenkultur.co.uk.
Previous Discussion Posts
Chapter 4 discussion post is going to be on May 4th!
That's okay, thanks for giving it a try. 💜
In regards to Dworkin being "overblown" or "exaggerating", I disagree. Poetic, maybe; overblown, I don't think so. I try to keep in mind for some topics, that this book was written in the 1983, in a time where legal abortion in the United States just happened ten years prior via Roe v Wade. And that's just in terms of abortion, not other aspects of misogyny. Forty years ago was such a different time.
For instance, I remember recently watching The 'Burbs, a casual comedy movie from 1989, and I was disturbed at the way the main male character was yelling at his wife over his own issues was considered "normal." There is so much misogyny that is "normalized" in society. I feel like Dworkin rips off the reader's rose-colored glasses.
I appreciate your input, I think it helps me understand why there is not as much activity in this bookclub as there was initial interest. Dworkin is a fierce writer, she is not apologetic, and she wastes no time with pleasantries. Her writing can be like jumping in ice cold water.
I'm glad you had a "positive" (idk a better way to phrase it) personal experience with abortion, especially with your mother. She reminds me of how I recently learned about Catholics for Choice, which was surprising for me to discover. (What a cool organization.)
Absolutely true! And interestingly, now that I've started to recover, it does feel quite cathartic and rejuvenating to have read that stuff, even though I can feel my brain squirrelling it away to the back of a drawer somewhere.
I was actually just thinking how it's like being burned in a cathartic fire, but ice cold water might be a better analogy.
I noticed on the Chapter Two discussion post that someone else (they deleted themselves so I can't see user name) had a similar reaction to me, which is kind of comforting to me as I was feeling confused/inadequate. The snippets and quotes of Dworkin that I've read in the past have been so exciting and true and real and, like the other user says, for me Dworkin is radical feminism, and a totally awesome human being. It's just....... A LOT to read a whole chapter in one sitting. Like, A LOT.
Deleted-user said:
You asked if one chapter a week was too much and she said:
LOL indeed! I felt exactly the same! "It's too much!"
Even without reading RRW this evening I am seriously struggling in general right now not to hate all men (including my own Nigel and even my own son), how to find a way to live and exist in this world as a woman. It's hard to take Dworkin right now. It's hard to see a way to carry on. Sometimes I wish I still lived in blissful ignorance even though I know in reality that meant depression and eating disorders. Maybe it's better to know the shitty truth than to suffer in confusion and self-hating ignorance. Maybe that's why we need Dworkin to pick us up by the scruff of the neck and shake us awake.
Exactly like deleted-user, I have a copy of "Last days at hot slit" waiting to be read. I should dip into it as I have a feeling it might be an easier pill to swallow than RWW or Pornography.
P.S. I really want to thank you, Unicorn, for having the courage and tenacity to start and persevere with this book group. I think it's really really important that the posts are here even if little/no discussion actually happens. You're putting it out there into the Ovarit universe and that's important.