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3.36 AVERAGE
3.36 AVERAGE
How I came to read this essay. I am a subscriber to the excellent ANZ LitLovers LitBlog.
Blogger Lisa wrote her as usual compelling review and while reading I made comment as to the subchapter from Steven Pinker’s The Angels Nature of Our Nature that covered “Women’s Rights and the Decline of Rape and Battering." We both decided to read each other’s suggestion on the interrelated subject.
https://anzlitlovers.com/2018/11/09/on-rape-by-germaine-greer-bookreview/
Pinker discussed the issue from a historical point of view and he came to the conclusion that from the statistics available that rape has declined over the last 30 years. He writes tellingly that the decline has “…gone virtually unremarked” and that”…. anti-rape organisations convey the impression that women are in more danger than ever…….” Pinker praises the Feminist movement for the trend downwards.
With my recent reading of Pinker and the ANZ LitLovers LitBlog’s review of Greer I realised that other than my reading of the use of rape in war and a month spent on a rape case jury about 20 years ago this was a subject I had really been shielded from.
This is the first time I recall reading Germaine Greer so I really have no opinion as to her past writings on feminism. On this subject I also don’t particularly feel qualified to pass judgement on the essay itself. I tend to write my reviews without looking at other points of view but in this case I have made a rare exception. I have tended to need guidance I suppose. There are many both praising and attacking on Goodreads and the same applies in the world of professional reviews and the blogosphere. I am none the wiser.
With that this essay, as Lisa from ANZ LitLovers LitBlog writes “…has created quite a furore.” And I have to wonder why because in a sense I was offered as reader little in the way of solutions to the subject and more or less commentary as to what constituted Rape through to comment on the various legal issues. The thing that I found of interest was one of her few solutions and that was to actually cut back on the sentencing time for those found guilty. It is interesting that in some jurisdictions rape receives a larger punishment than murder. This was covered by Pinker and I have come to the conclusion that just maybe male lawmakers over the years have been not only influenced by the outcry of the women’s movements, rightfully so, but may have been persuaded (subconsciously?) by the fact that historically women were property of men.
In the end though I am glad to have read this essay. It is a subject that I do not feel comfortable with and have to leave the debate to the far more knowledgeable than me. As to this hamfisted attempt at a review of an appalling subject my apologies.
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/sep/07/germaine-greers-on-provocative-victim-shaming-compelling-ambivalent
Blogger Lisa wrote her as usual compelling review and while reading I made comment as to the subchapter from Steven Pinker’s The Angels Nature of Our Nature that covered “Women’s Rights and the Decline of Rape and Battering." We both decided to read each other’s suggestion on the interrelated subject.
https://anzlitlovers.com/2018/11/09/on-rape-by-germaine-greer-bookreview/
Pinker discussed the issue from a historical point of view and he came to the conclusion that from the statistics available that rape has declined over the last 30 years. He writes tellingly that the decline has “…gone virtually unremarked” and that”…. anti-rape organisations convey the impression that women are in more danger than ever…….” Pinker praises the Feminist movement for the trend downwards.
With my recent reading of Pinker and the ANZ LitLovers LitBlog’s review of Greer I realised that other than my reading of the use of rape in war and a month spent on a rape case jury about 20 years ago this was a subject I had really been shielded from.
This is the first time I recall reading Germaine Greer so I really have no opinion as to her past writings on feminism. On this subject I also don’t particularly feel qualified to pass judgement on the essay itself. I tend to write my reviews without looking at other points of view but in this case I have made a rare exception. I have tended to need guidance I suppose. There are many both praising and attacking on Goodreads and the same applies in the world of professional reviews and the blogosphere. I am none the wiser.
With that this essay, as Lisa from ANZ LitLovers LitBlog writes “…has created quite a furore.” And I have to wonder why because in a sense I was offered as reader little in the way of solutions to the subject and more or less commentary as to what constituted Rape through to comment on the various legal issues. The thing that I found of interest was one of her few solutions and that was to actually cut back on the sentencing time for those found guilty. It is interesting that in some jurisdictions rape receives a larger punishment than murder. This was covered by Pinker and I have come to the conclusion that just maybe male lawmakers over the years have been not only influenced by the outcry of the women’s movements, rightfully so, but may have been persuaded (subconsciously?) by the fact that historically women were property of men.
In the end though I am glad to have read this essay. It is a subject that I do not feel comfortable with and have to leave the debate to the far more knowledgeable than me. As to this hamfisted attempt at a review of an appalling subject my apologies.
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/sep/07/germaine-greers-on-provocative-victim-shaming-compelling-ambivalent
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Interesting points but it didn't feel like a fully rounded argument.
challenging
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I'm glad I read this essay and a lot resonated with me, but I do have a few complaints:
2. I really don't like the implication Greer makes time and time again that there's only one right way to be a rape victim: be someone strong and wiling to take your rapist to court, but also to get over it in time and don't label yourself a "victim" because the rapist can't actually steal anything from you. That's a good position to promote but it was clear to me that Greer seems to dismiss or even dislike any other victim's narrative that is not like this: what about victims who don't lay charges or go to court? What about victims who just want an apology and nothing more? What about victims who do feel like something has been taken from them, and can't "get over it"?
I know it's only an essay and Greer can't be expected to answer all of these questions, but she sure as hell made a lot of implications ! So...
Spoiler
1. I really don't like the implication that Greer makes after two women drop their rape allegations against a man who, years later, went on to murder two other women. She basically states that these women (who dropped their cases) are at fault for the other women's murders because they dropped their cases. As someone who has researched rape and sexual assault so extensively, I feel like Greer knows the myriad of reasons why people drop their cases against another. And that the only person at fault for those women's murders is the murderer.2. I really don't like the implication Greer makes time and time again that there's only one right way to be a rape victim: be someone strong and wiling to take your rapist to court, but also to get over it in time and don't label yourself a "victim" because the rapist can't actually steal anything from you. That's a good position to promote but it was clear to me that Greer seems to dismiss or even dislike any other victim's narrative that is not like this: what about victims who don't lay charges or go to court? What about victims who just want an apology and nothing more? What about victims who do feel like something has been taken from them, and can't "get over it"?
I know it's only an essay and Greer can't be expected to answer all of these questions, but she sure as hell made a lot of implications ! So...
A discussion on Rape unlike any I've heard or read before. A different take on it, a different perspective, and one I feel like I learnt from.
Greer raises a number of questions that have mostly been unaddressed before. Her chapter discussing consent is particularly important as it raises the issue of unwanted sexual intercourse one may consent to, whether due to intimidation or for the sake of expediency. Furthermore, her discussions of how to combat campus rape through cross referencing databases and the fact that the treatment of a victim after reporting rape by the system is hardly a pleasant experience also throw up issues usually swept aside in favour of simpler answers.
It's a shame so many people will willingly discount many of Greer's points due to disagreeing with certain aspects of her use of language or wider philosophical beliefs. A case of being unable to see the forest for the trees etc. It also never fails to amaze me that a radical liberation feminist is consistently caricatured as some sort of dinosaur. This book also actually provoked debate in me, which most contemporary feminist books fail to do as they usually just serve as an echo chamber where the same basic principles of feminism are retreaded ad infinitum. For instance, I read [b:What We Talk About When We Talk about Rape|37956892|What We Talk About When We Talk about Rape|Sohaila Abdulali|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1523749032l/37956892._SY75_.jpg|59683794] earlier this year, and while that was a powerful and important book, it was very descriptive: it was about telling stories but not necessarily advocating and arguing about how to deal with the issue, and I went into that and left with broadly the same understanding about rape. Greer, as controversial as she may be, riles you with her writing in a way that few can.
It's a shame so many people will willingly discount many of Greer's points due to disagreeing with certain aspects of her use of language or wider philosophical beliefs. A case of being unable to see the forest for the trees etc. It also never fails to amaze me that a radical liberation feminist is consistently caricatured as some sort of dinosaur. This book also actually provoked debate in me, which most contemporary feminist books fail to do as they usually just serve as an echo chamber where the same basic principles of feminism are retreaded ad infinitum. For instance, I read [b:What We Talk About When We Talk about Rape|37956892|What We Talk About When We Talk about Rape|Sohaila Abdulali|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1523749032l/37956892._SY75_.jpg|59683794] earlier this year, and while that was a powerful and important book, it was very descriptive: it was about telling stories but not necessarily advocating and arguing about how to deal with the issue, and I went into that and left with broadly the same understanding about rape. Greer, as controversial as she may be, riles you with her writing in a way that few can.
reading the whole thing, i am glad Germaine has written this piece. the media keep looking for nasty sensationalism to make her look crazy. but Greer knows this topic inside out and she explores the many many angles. because rape is NOT one thing. and without discourse about all aspects of this difficult subject it will continue to be a nightmare for our daughters into the future. yes there were incendiary moments where i thought “wait, what ?!” but when you put the statement back into the context of the chapter, she is making a good point.
some quotes i highlighted in my copy were:
[in a chapter exploring the reality rape comes in different shades including the least discussed, but most common, where husbands cajole wives into capitulation, which does not equal consent]
“non-consensual sex is banal and deeply ordinary, but that is not to say that it is not an evil, with damaging consequences”
[in a chapter looking at seeking justice for survivors of the more prosecutable, violent rapes, and the potential failure of “restorative justice” letting the survivor face her perpetrator]
“there is nothing restorative justice can achieve if the perpetrator does not accept some responsibility, does not admit that he or she is guilty, and does not repent”
[a surprising admission from a perpetrator in a private phone call from the survivor of gang rape]
“you’re not crazy. i was there. i remember. it happened.”
each of these quotes i have tried to provide the whole chapters context for, but it is difficult, you should read the whole thing, as a whole, and not just the reactionary moments. because it’s an important issue for ALL of us, and an important essay.
some quotes i highlighted in my copy were:
[in a chapter exploring the reality rape comes in different shades including the least discussed, but most common, where husbands cajole wives into capitulation, which does not equal consent]
“non-consensual sex is banal and deeply ordinary, but that is not to say that it is not an evil, with damaging consequences”
[in a chapter looking at seeking justice for survivors of the more prosecutable, violent rapes, and the potential failure of “restorative justice” letting the survivor face her perpetrator]
“there is nothing restorative justice can achieve if the perpetrator does not accept some responsibility, does not admit that he or she is guilty, and does not repent”
[a surprising admission from a perpetrator in a private phone call from the survivor of gang rape]
“you’re not crazy. i was there. i remember. it happened.”
each of these quotes i have tried to provide the whole chapters context for, but it is difficult, you should read the whole thing, as a whole, and not just the reactionary moments. because it’s an important issue for ALL of us, and an important essay.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced