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Gossips, Gorgons and Crones: The Fates of the Earth
Gossips, Gorgons & Crones is the first comprehensive analysis of nuclear-age culture and the accompanying return of female Powers. Based in feminist, pre-patriarchal, and Native American philosophies, this book provides a biting critique of patriarchal practices, myths, and values, including family values.
- GenresFeminismNonfiction
400 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1993
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 3, 2007
i was dubious of what i expected to be psuedo-spiritual eco-feminism that would only enforce gender binaries through associating wimmin with nature/men with culture (that old one...)
but it surprised me, in reality using myth and legends as a prism through which to interpret gender relations in the nuclear age, and therefore questioning the binary (the conclusion explicitly talks about hermaphrodites, as the appear in an issue of 'Hothead Paisan: Homicidal Lesbian Terrorist'), showing how misogynist stereotypes of the gossip, the gorgon and the crone are all potential sources of power for oppressed wimmin (on a side note, i liked the way in the Handmaid's Tale the gossip aspect is reflected by the networks of whispers between the Marthas and Handmaids - also explored by Scott in 'Weapons of the Weak,' but not explicitly in relation to wimmin) - so these female archetypes become a way that wimmin can escape their oppression, undoing the binary as they go..
but it surprised me, in reality using myth and legends as a prism through which to interpret gender relations in the nuclear age, and therefore questioning the binary (the conclusion explicitly talks about hermaphrodites, as the appear in an issue of 'Hothead Paisan: Homicidal Lesbian Terrorist'), showing how misogynist stereotypes of the gossip, the gorgon and the crone are all potential sources of power for oppressed wimmin (on a side note, i liked the way in the Handmaid's Tale the gossip aspect is reflected by the networks of whispers between the Marthas and Handmaids - also explored by Scott in 'Weapons of the Weak,' but not explicitly in relation to wimmin) - so these female archetypes become a way that wimmin can escape their oppression, undoing the binary as they go..
October 23, 2014
A brilliant and witty look at how to shift the meaning of power to combat patriarchal sadomasochism at it's peak.
August 3, 2017
Hella wise and prescient look at the oft-neglected archetypes of dark goddess. With a knowing cackle, this book really rips through the patriarchal edifice of its day ('93) and revels joyously in its own psycho-ecological anomie. An enriching read that provokes the inner cosmic crone into action, and anticipates the gender revolution which would shape the decades to come.
September 22, 2009
Jane Caputi does a feminist analysis of the bomb and nuclear energy centering around the how the metaphor of the bomb has entered our language and its effects on consciousness. She delves into the native American Indian's reflections regarding the invasion of their land in search of 'Yellow gold' and it effects on the people. She analyzes and compares the dark Goddess to the explosive energy of the bomb and how we as people do not respect the incredible gift given to mankind. The result in not honouring this gift is cancer and many other anomalies because we do not treat it with the respect it deserves. Mankind has broken a taboo and must deal with the consequences. We have not realized that yet. The book was published in 1993, but still we are not dealing with what civilization has been gifted. She alludes to the return of the Goddess as an avenging angel. I am not sure if this is an unconscious Christian metaphor or if she means a transformation is in the works.
September 5, 2021
Everyone needs to read this, perhaps twice
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