Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Women Wednesday - food for thought

I read an interesting quote this week by English novelist, Ivy Compton-Burnett. Iwanted to share it and would love to hear your thoughts, interpretations, and examples.

"There is more difference within the sexes than between them." ~Ivy Compton-Burnett
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2 comments:

Bijorn Turock said...

“There is more difference within the sexes than between them." ~Ivy Compton-Burnett

I think this is a very insightful quote. The fact that the quote places an emphasis on differences within the sexes, I think, may be referring to the bigger problems that can be found on both sides of gender spectrum with respect to solidarity within each respective community. I believe this is related to some of our discussion in class about solidarity, or the lack thereof, among women. Furthermore, I think Ivy is trying to stress how insignificant differences between the sexes are in comparison to the more complicated differences within the sexes, which require more attention.

November 23, 2010 at 10:57 PM
N.P. said...

For me, the interpretation reflects the tenuousness of defining "sex" itself. Is it based on biology, mentality, or (perhaps this is contentious) choice? Nonetheless, the "within" involved in defining a sex seems to symbolize the fact that there is no longer such a thing. Transgendered, lesbian, queer, and heterosexual have replaced the standard women and men concept of sex. Thus, ultimately, the differences do not lie between "men" or "women" but how we as individuals choose to place ourselves within these norms. And slowly, it seems as though we are pushing those boundaries.

November 26, 2010 at 4:44 PM

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