pre-post for 11/30

During the break I read the Cixous reading from “Sorties” as well as the Judith Butler’s excerpt from “Gender Trouble.” I was especially excited to dive into this material because the concept of gender and the way is perceived in society but is studied as a social construct is something I have learned about and explored in the past. While the readings greatly differ, in a way Butler and Cixous touch upon many of the same important aspects of gender that are prevalent in today’s society. Specifically, I was fascinated by a particular part of the Cixous reading that goes as follows. “In the past, when carried to a rather spectacular degree, it was called ‘possession.’ Being possessed is not desirable for a masculine Imaginary, which would interpret it as passivity- a dangerous feminine position…A woman, by her opening up, is open to being ‘possessed,’ which is to say, disposed of herself.” (160) I interpreted this is multiple ways however; I found it easiest to unpack in regards to the way we perceive one another in society. Based on the dominant narrative today, it is feminine to be possessed. Therefore, men who are not possessing a woman or taking control of all aspects of their life are considered “pussies” or “wimps” and even often called, “fags.” They are called these names because these names associate with the way the female gender characteristics are portrayed in society. As a female, based on the ideologies created within our society I should be dependent and controlled in some ways by a male figure. Whether it is a boyfriend or a father it is up to the male in my life to be dependent on. However, my reliance on a male figure beyond a healthy relationship with that person makes me possessed by them. This is looked down upon by society when men seem to be possessed by others because it does not fit the “macho” stereotype that men are supposed to portray. While this was very prevalent in the past and has gotten better over time, it is still a huge issue today that continues to belittle women across the world.