Simone De Simone De Beauvoir Analysis

As society has progressed from primitive customs to modern traditions, there have always been “truths” surrounding women. Simone de Beauvoir points out how the female is regarded as mysterious and is often associated with “truths” but in this case are really myths. The problem with the “truths” that society places on women is that somehow they contradict each other or are viewed as the absolute truth with no exceptions. In other words, if a woman does not act a certain way then she is no longer a women. These myths hold women back by placing them in opposition with men as the Other. Women are defined in comparison to man and not as an entity by itself (p.159). However, men are constantly restlessness and looking to find their place within Nature,

Beauvoir starts with examples from the beginning of time such as when Eve was created from Adam as a way to show that even women’s beginnings were not “autonomous” (p.161). Beauvoir also includes “larger-than-life” statements about women’s nature such as how the reason that men place themselves in opposition is because they do not want to be close to something they lack because women are everything they can not be but want. The author then uses all types of historical references about religion, politics and society during varying times. For example, she ranges from examples about how the Leviticus finds women to be impure during their periods as well as explains how in a Marxist society there would never be a chance for the Other. Beauvoir utilizes these examples as well as statements to disprove the “facts” society has had about women such as about their periods and virginity in the first chapter. Beauvoir also explains how the “mystery” of the women affects everyday day life and how women can move past this in chapter

This can be clearly seen in the recent controversy over the Alabama Alpha Phi Recruitment video. In the video, one can see many women prancing around, throwing glitter in the air all with their bleach blond hair wearing skimpy outfits and trying to look feminine with their dresses and heels. They are embodying all the myths of the women by acting feminine; the way society expects them to act. Instead of looking natural, the women look fake and almost robot-like because there is a lack of individuality. This is precisely what Beauvoir fights against and fears will happen to women as a result of their place as the Other. The sisters of Alpha Phi from Alabama University have received a lot of animosity because people feel it’s a step back in our modern society for women to act in way that only focuses on their physical appearance and does not promote individuality. The only thing I do not agree with about the criticisms of the video is the reference to the outfits because society should stop judging the way women dress and somehow associating to negative connotations such as the word “slut” or “easy”. However, the use of dresses, heels, and all things “feminine” to attract women from the University of Alabama to their sorority feels wrong to me and would also cause Beauvoir the same kind of