The Laugh of the Medusa

Kaelyn & Taylor's Discussion Questions for Friday!

1. "Women must write her self: must write about women and bring women to writing, from which they have been driven away as violently as from their bodies- for the same reasons, by the same law, with the same fatal goal. Woman must put herself into the text- as into the world and into history- by her own movement." Pg. 391

Do you agree that for women to be significant in history they must be the ones to tell their stories? What does Helene say women should be writing about and why?

2. "The immense majority (of women writers) whose workmanship is in no way different from male writing, and which either obscures women or reproduces the classic representations of women. (as sensitive-intuitive-dreamy, etc.)" Pg. 394

Do you find that women writers often perpetuate stereotypes of women? Why do you think this is the case?

3. "Flying is woman's gesture- flying in language and making it fly. We have all learned the art of flying and its numerous techniques..." Pg. 400

What do you think Helene means by "Flying is woman's gesture"? Can you personally relate to this "art of flying and its numerous techniques"?

4. "You only have to look at the Medusa straight on to see her. And she's not deadly. She's beautiful and she's laughing." Pg. 399

What is the significance of the Medusa though out the piece? Why is she laughing?