The Eternal Feminine by Agnes Repplier
"The Eternal Feminine" by Agnes Repplier is an essay that critiques the concept of the "new woman" by highlighting the historical continuity of women's roles and societal perceptions. Repplier argues that the idea of the "new woman" is not novel, as women have always been active participants in public and intellectual life, despite societal constraints. She references historical figures like Christine de Pisan and Mary Manley to illustrate that women have long engaged in intellectual pursuits and political activism. Repplier also discusses the persistent stereotypes and criticisms women face, such as being too intellectual or too domestic, and how these criticisms have remained unchanged over centuries. The essay underscores the cyclical nature of societal attitudes towards women, suggesting that what is perceived as new is often a reiteration of past dynamics. Repplier concludes by emphasizing the enduring influence and capabilities of women throughout history, challenging the notion that women's roles are static or limited.
By Agnes Repplier · First published 1908 · Genre: Essay, Satire, Social Commentary · 6,348 words
First lines
There are few things more wearisome in a fairly fatiguing life than the monotonous repetition of a phrase which catches and holds the public fancy by virtue of its total lack of significance. Such a phrase -- employed with tireless irrelevance in journalism, and creeping into the pages of what is, by courtesy, called literature -- is the "new woman. " It has furnished inexhaustible jests to "Life" and "Punch," and it has been received with seriousness by those who read the present with no light from the past, and so fail to perceive that all femininity is as old as Lilith, and that the variations of the type began when Eve arrived in the Garden of Paradise to dispute the claims of her predecessor. "If the fifteenth century discovered America," says a vehement advocate of female progress, "it was reserved for the nineteenth century to discover woman; " and this remarkable statement has been gratefully applauded by people who have apparently forgotten all about Judith and Zenobia, Cleopatra and Catherine de Medici, Saint Theresa and Jeanne d'Arc, Catherine of Russia and Elizabeth of England, who played parts of some importance, for good and ill, in the fortunes of the world.
What this Textopian page supports
The Eternal Feminine is listed on Textopian as an essay by Agnes Repplier, dated 1908 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Essay
- Author: Agnes Repplier
- Date: 1908 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Essay, Satire, Social Commentary, Feminist Literature, Historical Criticism
- Length: 6,348 words
- Structure: 1 section, 31 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Eternal Feminine by Agnes Repplier
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Essay — The work is structured as a reflective essay examining the history and roles of women.
- Satire — It uses humor and irony to critique societal norms and the concept of the 'new woman'.
- Social Commentary — The text analyzes gender dynamics and societal expectations across history.
- Feminist Literature — It challenges traditional gender roles and highlights long-standing debates over women's capabilities.
Tags
feminism · gender roles · women's studies · social criticism · essays · historical perspective · cultural commentary · identity · philosophy · psychology · modernity · empowerment