Women’s literary mediocrity stems from social situation, not natural destiny

Evidence

Women never go beyond the pretext,” a writer told me. This is true enough. Still amazed at having had permission to explore the world, they take its inventory without trying to discover its meaning. … Women do not challenge the human condition because they have barely begun to be able to assume it entirely. This explains why their works generally lack metaphysical resonance and black humor as well; they do not set the world apart, they do not question it, they do not denounce its contradictions: they take it seriously. … Destiny is not what limits her: it is easy to understand why it has not been possible for her to reach the highest summits, and why it will perhaps not be possible for some time. — Simone de Beauvoir, The Second Sex, 1947

Categorization

• XREF: Directly answers biological determinist readings of the earlier chapter on physiological data; also echoes her argument that woman’s Otherness is produced, not given. Connects to the later ADDENDUM on woman as Other framing. — connects to: Public hostility and dependence on opinion crushed many women writers’ careers; Material and social circumstances rather than talent barred women from artistic genius; Women’s social gatherings bore because women lack shared independent interests — Simone de Beauvoir, The Second Sex, 1583 (+4 more)
• DEFINE: ‘Assume it entirely’ names the existential precondition—being able to take on the human condition as subject—that women historically lack.

Broader Connections

• Women’s lack of creative genius stems from situation, not essence #corroborates (0.95) — Simone de Beauvoir, The Second Sex, 1952
• Womanhood is socially constructed, not biologically destined #expands (0.85) — Simone de Beauvoir, The Second Sex, 676