Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Get started
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
The Female Eunuch summary
Germaine Greer
The landmark book in the history of the womens rights movement
9 mins
Brief summary
'The Female Eunuch' by Germaine Greer is a feminist classic, exploring the root causes of women's oppression and advocating for women's liberation through rejecting traditional gender roles.
Topics
Table of Contents
The Female Eunuch
Summary of 5 key ideas
Audio & text in the Blinkist app
Key idea 1 of 5
Society has castrated women.
The qualities that society values in a woman match those of a eunuch – subservience and sexlessness.
Women are expected to be attentive, agreeable and patient. Ambition, confidence and any other signs of a strong personality aren’t tolerated. Rather than actively seeking and taking what they want from the world, women should wait until they’re told what to do. They should show mindless joy when given a gift, demonstrate unfailing devotion to their families and a passionless desire for their husbands.
In pop culture, dominant women typically appear as one of two stereotypes – the cunning and sexy woman or the athletic and arrogant woman.
Whether it’s a blockbuster, a soap opera or a comic book, these dominant female characters are inevitably tamed or overpowered by the hero at the story’s end. Audiences are taught that “dominant” qualities in women, while enticing, will only be detrimental to a man unless he defeats them.
It often seems that the entire concept of “woman” is all aesthetics and no substance. Even the woman’s body should be soft and non-threatening, devoid of signs of power or maturity.
The true essence of the woman is lost as media and brands push women to change their appearances to fit this artificial norm.
By requiring women to behave and appear as if they were castrated, societal norms also communicate the fact that women cannot and should not play a truly equal role in public – or in private.
Want to see all full key ideas from The Female Eunuch?
Key ideas in The Female Eunuch
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is The Female Eunuch about?
The Female Eunuch (1970) is an explosive feminist classic that confronts the societal expectations holding women back. These blinks argue that it’s womankind’s responsibility to create new definitions of femininity and take ownership of their bodies, sex and lives.
The Female Eunuch Review
The Female Eunuch (1970) explores the political and social factors that contribute to the oppression of women and offers a thought-provoking analysis on feminism. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- It challenges conventional ideas about gender roles and exposes the power dynamics that disadvantage women in society.
- Through sharp observations and extensive research, Greer presents a persuasive argument for the need for women's liberation and equality.
- The book addresses a wide range of topics, including sexuality, economics, and education, making it a comprehensive and insightful examination of women's struggles.
Best quote from The Female Eunuch
Unhappily we have accepted . . . a notion of utter passivity and even irrelevance of the vagina.
—Germaine Greer
Who should read The Female Eunuch?
- Sociology students looking for an introduction to second-wave feminism
- Budding feminists seeking an empowering read
- Men who’d like to learn about the forces shaping patriarchal society
Categories with The Female Eunuch
Book summaries like The Female Eunuch
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
37 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
The Female Eunuch FAQs
What is the main message of The Female Eunuch?
The main message of The Female Eunuch is the liberation of women from societal constraints and the exploration of female autonomy.
How long does it take to read The Female Eunuch?
The reading time for The Female Eunuch varies based on reading speed, but it typically takes a few hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in under 15 minutes.
Is The Female Eunuch a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Female Eunuch is worth reading as it offers a thought-provoking perspective on women's liberation and challenges societal norms. A must-read for anyone interested in gender equality.
Who is the author of The Female Eunuch?
The author of The Female Eunuch is Germaine Greer.
What to read after The Female Eunuch?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Female Eunuch, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- The XX Brain by Lisa Mosconi
- We Who Wrestle with God by Jordan B. Peterson
- Work Life Well-Lived by Kelly Mackin
- The WEIRDest People in the World by Joseph Henrich
- Agile Selling by Jill Konrath
- Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
- The Art of Talking with Children by Rebecca Rolland
- The Imposter Cure by Dr. Jessamy Hibberd
- Do Nothing by Celeste Headlee
- Slow Productivity by Cal Newport