No doubt, Mercy is a highly inflammatory book to many people. That's exactly what Andrea Dworkin wanted, I'm sure, when she wrote the book. To inspire a reaction, a brutal awakening. Indeed, the book has had just such an effect on me. Really, though, it makes me wonder if these types of works are what gives feminist movements a stigma. I've always wondered why all feminists are labeled as radical, and Andrea Dworkin has certainly shown me the root of the issue.
I always hesitate to call myself a feminist because I don't want anyone to confuse my conservative views with the radical liberal views society inevitably deems fundamentally "feminist." I believe women are just as capable as men in any sort of capacity, but I never wanted to be handed a job because someone thinks it's due to the female population. This book is everything I despise in the label "feminist." It is full of hatred and revenge. It stems from an emotional story in which the protagonist is weak and unable to care for herself. Yes, this is a heartbreaking book, but I don't believe it furthers women's rights movements.
Women are already seen as balls of emotion, ready to snap as soon as a period hits and this book only solidifies that stereotype in my mind. I want to been seen as an equal by men and society as a whole, but not because they pity the journey my gender has been through, but because of my merit.
No comments:
Post a Comment