Deliberate provocation?

Question

We are reading a book where the authoress, instead of using the normal HE just to indicate mankind, writes SHE every time. Its very jarring. Is it also feminist nonesense?

I don't think I can handle this, I'm not Educated Rita but I liked the film. I think I'll have anoither vacuum.

Answer 1

The word 'HE' has always been used in a generic sense to include both males & females. It saves having to say he & she each time, which would be quite ridiculous.

I don't know which author you are referring to, but she is clearly a crackpot, so I am concerned that you might take this lady seriously. Yes, she is obviously a feminist zealot. If she believes it is wrong to use "He" in a generic sense, which it isn't, then it must be even more wrong to use the word "She" in a generic sense, because it doesn't have the support of custom & practise. She is the sort of person who would refer to God as, SHE. Best ignored, probably had a difficult upbringing.

I have just noticed that you have used the word "WE", that possibly explains everything, because you are probably under the influence of a left wing feminist lecturer. God help you, another one to the slaughter.

PS. It is obviously too late for many of your respondents above. They have taken a draught from the poison chalice. In general terms, language require a consistency of usage and meaning, otherwise we would fail to communicate with each other. Remember, the generic usage of the HE word started centuries ago without any thought of it being predudicial to the female sex. Any feminist who is prepared to go to these lengths, clearly has a serious problem with men. Why do normal women soak it up so easily? Say to your lecturer, "honi soit qui mal y pense" shame be his who thinks evil of it. Sorry I mean hers.

I do like women, and, I hate the thought of them being indoctrinated like this.

Answer 2

I agree with Sarah C's point, the "she" is the point. The literature is probably a feminist text -- the fact that "she" is used rather than "he" is important to the text. Look beyond your problem and see why that's important. Being an open reader, even if you see feminism as "nonesense," makes you a better reader, more educated, and a better person in general. Your resistance to the re-genderization of the all-inclussive (which isn't really) male pronoun is important and you should see why it turns you off and if, just maybe, that is the author's goal (not turning you off neccessarily, but in drawing attention to the one-sided gendering).

As for people who have said that "he" should be used because its always been used, that's silly logic (and isn't logic) because one might argue that slavery was always used so it should still be used, or that women were always in the home as wives, not working, so they should have stayed there, or even that the lay people were always illeterate and only the wealthy were taught to read so we should still all be illiterate.

Feminism has gotten a bad rap by a lot of people, but change is neccessary (not just feminist change, all change) for growth in society and so you should think about that before you put the book down, especially if the book is good.

Answer 3

Would you read Dickens or Shakespeare and judge its merit by the fact that its not written in todays language?
Haven't you missed the point? Why should it jar?
It jars because it does not conform to your expectations.
The author intended to make a point. If the book was written in the 1980's then remember that things were very different then. Society has changed since the 70's and 80's, if you take your equality for granted then great. That is only possible because of what went before.
You don't realise how different things were only 20 years ago. Before you look down your nose, try to imagine what it felt like. Its only recently that it was made illegal for a man to rape his wife. You are looking back at a time where the judge in a rape case could praise the attacker for being responsible enough to use a condom.
Before you sneer at someone else, try to imagine being in their position. Racism and sexism used to be taken for granted, so much so that they were accepted as normal and it was difficult to question them.

Perhaps you would rather we all just look at the floor and giggle instead?

Answer 4

Interesting. There's really no reason not to use 'she', except that traditionally we've always used 'he' and women have quietly accepted that. Women are less accepting these days, and more insistant on being recognized as a) part of the human race and b) real people.
Yes, it probably is jarring for you to read, because your eyes and your brain aren't used to it, but perhaps it's something we should get used to. Or perhaps someone will find another word, a neutral one, that will equally include both sexes.
Is it feminist nonsense? Not really. I'm not a feminist, but I do get tired of always being the wagon following the train.

Answer 5

Yes, throw the book away it is only indoctrination.
If it is a required reading just answer the questions your social change indoctrinator (teacher, Prof.) wants to hear. Then move on and recognize that people are trying to corrupt your moral values for their own political and even sexual gain. By making you socially confused, guilt ridden, and unable to make judgments you are easily used and thrown away.

Answer 6

A person who writes a book is an author, no matter what their gender is. This is the current, common, and accepted usage. Perhaps you should focus on your own writing as well!

It is the author's choice to use whatever pronouns they please. You have the choice not to read the book or not.

I think it would be a refreshing change.

Answer 7

No. It's been "he" for about as long as the English language has existed, so why shouldn't it be "she?" Give "she" a chance. Also, it's not just feminists who use it, Harold Bloom uses it all the time. If anyone had a right to be anal about language, he does, and yet he isn't so why should you be?

Answer 8

Probably feminist nonsense. I hate feminazis. There's nothing more annoying than the behavior feminazis display, and these words are coming from a female. Go buy a bra, get your head out of your ****, and function with society. Jeeze.

Answer 9

You're correct in that "he," if not by rule, certainly by custom, is the proper pronoun to refer to mankind. Yes, this is apparently a defiant feminist trying to make a point.

Answer 10

I once read a book about moles where the author used "everymole" instead of "everybody" and so on - can't for the life of me remember the title or author tho