Politics of Reality: Essays in Feminist Theory (Crossing Press Feminist) [Paperback]

Marilyn Frye (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Crossing Press (March 1, 1983)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 089594099X
• ISBN-13: 978-0895940995
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.4 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #154,827 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every feminist and every philosopher should read this book, July 11, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Politics of Reality: Essays in Feminist Theory (Crossing Press Feminist) (Paperback)

I use "The Politics of Reality" as the primary textbook for my course on philosophical issues in feminism. Frye is extremely lucid and intelligent; beginning students appreciate her useful analogies and well-structured essays, and I still get something new out of the book every time I read it. Her discussions of the difference between oppression and suffering, the purpose of sex-marking (i.e. behavior that informs others of one's sex), coercion, love, why lesbians scare the hell out of some people, and the meaning of anger are among the best I'm aware of, and her analysis of oppression provides a wonderful framework for understanding social realities. One of her themes is the importance of radical imagination; Frye's book itself goes a long way towards helping readers envision a more just world in which women are free, independent subjects, rather than enslaved objects who are shaped to the service of men. Frye is an outstanding philosopher, an excellent writer, and an inspiration to all feminist thinkers, as well as to anyone interested in the liberation of all those who are oppressed. I only wish I'd read her books (check out "Willful Virgin") a few years earlier!

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Oops!, January 31, 2003

By 

SoulBoyJon "music/literature connoisseur" (Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Politics of Reality: Essays in Feminist Theory (Crossing Press Feminist) (Paperback)

I think what the last reviewer didn't understand is that no men are oppressed on the basis of their maleness, therefore they are not oppressed as men. They can be oppressed by homophobia which sees femininity in a man as a weakness, they can be oppressed by class, race, religion, etc...but not on the basis of being a man.

Oppression happens to individuals, but not individually. People who belong to certain groups can be oppressed as a result of their group membership or perceived group membership, but there is a difference between oppression and suffering.

That said, this book is brilliant and heavily cited in works by other genius thinkers and in my own personal life.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars the choir of the 1970's needed some preachin', dude!, April 11, 2006

By 

freewheeler (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Politics of Reality: Essays in Feminist Theory (Crossing Press Feminist) (Paperback)

An example of why philosophy and feminist theory are valuable- provides those ah-ha! moments for those who get it-this excellent book is a perfect introduction to the wonderful world of 1970's, second wave feminism. That "birdcage" still very much exists, though, which is why this book is a great introduction to feminism- great to give to young women. accesible, even funny. don't let anyone tell you there is no need for feminism anymore or use radical as if it is a bad word!