In which I reflect upon my students’ shock upon Donald Trump’s victory. Ralph Ellison’s “Invisible Man” and Flannery O’Connor’s “All That Rises Must Converge” figure into the discussion.
Tag Archives: Sexism
Schlafly, Model for Atwood’s Serena Joy
Recently deceased Phyllis Schlafly served as the model for Serena Joy in Margaret Atwood’s dystopian novel “Handmaid’s Tale.” Because Serena Joy gets the society she says she wants, however, her life turns bitter. Schlafly was lucky to live in a society that allowed women to have their own careers.
Women vs. Unicorns in Poker, on Dates
In an blog post on the difficulties of handling male aggression, novelist Rachel Kranz looks at male behavior at poker tables, the mythology of virgins taming unicorns, and the rape perpetrated by Stanford swimmer Brock Turner.
Hillary & the Pressure To Be a Cool Girl
Understanding the popularity of Gillian Flynn’s “Gone Girl” amongst young women helps explain the mixed feelings about Hillary Clinton. She’s not a “cool girl.” But this is actually good.
Trump, Lucille Clifton, & Menstruation
Donald Trump assumed that Fox’s Megyn Kelly was menstruating when she aggressively asked him questions. Aside from his sexism, we should listen to Lucille Clifton, who points out how impressively women function even when they are having their periods.
How to View Prejudice in the Classics
How to handle instances of prejudice in the classics? Let the values battles fly.
Gillibrand & Montagu vs. Senate Sexism
How should Kirsten Gillibrand have responded to sexual harassment by fellow senators? Lady Mary Wortley Montagu provides a good model.
Enough with Fixating on Female Sexuality
Rachel Kranz’s fiction shows how to step up with acquaintances use offensive sexist language.

