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Quarterly Essay #50
Quarterly Essay 50 Unfinished Business: Sex, Freedom and Misogyny
On the surface, it seems the best time ever to be a woman in Australia. The prime minister, governor-general and the richest person are all female; women are at the forefront of almost every area of public life. Yet when Julia Gillard's misogyny speech ricocheted around the world, it clearly touched a nerve. Why?
In the fiftieth Quarterly Essay, Anna Goldsworthy examines life for women after the gains made by feminism. From Facebook to "50 Shades of Grey," from "Girls" to gonzo porn, what are young women being told about work and equality, about sex and their bodies? Why do many reject the feminist label? And why does pop culture wink at us with storylines featuring submissive women?
"Unfinished Business" is an original look at role models and available options in the age of social media and sexual frankness. Goldsworthy finds that progress for women has provoked a backlash from some, who wield misogyny as a weapon, whether in parliament, on talkback radio or as internet trolls. With piercing insight and sharp humour, she lays bare the dilemmas of being female today and asks how women can truly become free subjects.
'There is a charmed zone for a girl, shortly before she is ambushed by puberty. At eleven or twelve, she is usually taller than her male peers; more articulate; and more confident than she will be for years. She probably spends a lot of time in front of a screen, words and images flickering in her eyes. Facebook, Slutwalks, Lady Gaga, "Girls, Mad Men," gonzo porn, "Twilight, Fifty Shades of Grey." What messages are being broadcast to her, and what messages is she hearing? Are they going to make her bigger, or smaller?' Anna Goldsworthy, "Unfinished Business"
In the fiftieth Quarterly Essay, Anna Goldsworthy examines life for women after the gains made by feminism. From Facebook to "50 Shades of Grey," from "Girls" to gonzo porn, what are young women being told about work and equality, about sex and their bodies? Why do many reject the feminist label? And why does pop culture wink at us with storylines featuring submissive women?
"Unfinished Business" is an original look at role models and available options in the age of social media and sexual frankness. Goldsworthy finds that progress for women has provoked a backlash from some, who wield misogyny as a weapon, whether in parliament, on talkback radio or as internet trolls. With piercing insight and sharp humour, she lays bare the dilemmas of being female today and asks how women can truly become free subjects.
'There is a charmed zone for a girl, shortly before she is ambushed by puberty. At eleven or twelve, she is usually taller than her male peers; more articulate; and more confident than she will be for years. She probably spends a lot of time in front of a screen, words and images flickering in her eyes. Facebook, Slutwalks, Lady Gaga, "Girls, Mad Men," gonzo porn, "Twilight, Fifty Shades of Grey." What messages are being broadcast to her, and what messages is she hearing? Are they going to make her bigger, or smaller?' Anna Goldsworthy, "Unfinished Business"
150 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2013
3 people are currently reading
106 people want to read
About the author
Anna Goldsworthy
15 books70 followersAnna Goldsworthy is an Australian classical pianist and writer. In October 2009 her memoir Piano Lessons was released in Australia by publisher Black Inc. In November 2010 it will be published in the US by St Martin's Press (Macmillian). From 2010 she will be Artistic Director of the Port Fairy Spring Music Festival. Anna is also a Board Member of the Australian Book Review, Artist-in-Residence at Janet Clarke Hall at the University of Melbourne, and a founding member of the Seraphim Trio.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
July 3, 2013
As far as the essay went, to me it read as a phoned in attempt to capitalise on the current profile feminist issues are getting in the public arena. Without knowing much about Anna Goldsworthy, I came away feeling as though she perhaps wasn't the strongest candidate to give us the edifying and considered analysis of these issues that we are all craving for (in light of Julia Gillard's departure from politics and otherwise).
There were some moderately interesting observations about the self-perpetuating tendency of women to grit their teeth and 'get on with it' in the face of bullish and sexist behaviour (ala Julia Gillard), largely driven by the expectation of men that women should simply suck it up. Ditto the brief section on the way in which levers are pulled (by men, obvs) in our public discourse to subtly but emphatically silence women in power. I think if she had stuck to these issues and fleshed them out more thoughtfully and in greater depth, the essay would have been much improved. But the author couldn't resist dipping into the tired shopping list of 'usual suspect' issues for women (make up, body issues, porn etc) and rushing through them superficially, leaning heavily on well-worn pop culture analogies in the TV series Girls and on the funny but overused Caitlin Moran.
Far more fascinating was the correspondence section with some incredibly thoughtful reviews of Mark Latham's essay, Not Dead Yet. As is often the case with QE, I found the response to his essay far more interesting than the essay itself, and this collection of correspondence was a truly outstanding collection of reflections on Mark Latham himself, his policy and reform ideas and on the Labor party. Some real gems with one correspondent referring to him as a 'fading gurgle of political failure' - ouch! Whether you have read Latham's essay or not, do yourself a favour and read this correspondence.
There were some moderately interesting observations about the self-perpetuating tendency of women to grit their teeth and 'get on with it' in the face of bullish and sexist behaviour (ala Julia Gillard), largely driven by the expectation of men that women should simply suck it up. Ditto the brief section on the way in which levers are pulled (by men, obvs) in our public discourse to subtly but emphatically silence women in power. I think if she had stuck to these issues and fleshed them out more thoughtfully and in greater depth, the essay would have been much improved. But the author couldn't resist dipping into the tired shopping list of 'usual suspect' issues for women (make up, body issues, porn etc) and rushing through them superficially, leaning heavily on well-worn pop culture analogies in the TV series Girls and on the funny but overused Caitlin Moran.
Far more fascinating was the correspondence section with some incredibly thoughtful reviews of Mark Latham's essay, Not Dead Yet. As is often the case with QE, I found the response to his essay far more interesting than the essay itself, and this collection of correspondence was a truly outstanding collection of reflections on Mark Latham himself, his policy and reform ideas and on the Labor party. Some real gems with one correspondent referring to him as a 'fading gurgle of political failure' - ouch! Whether you have read Latham's essay or not, do yourself a favour and read this correspondence.
December 19, 2021
My lack of enjoyment was my own fault.
This essay was outdated and tried too hard to add to the feminist discussion. To me, it failed miserably.
This essay was outdated and tried too hard to add to the feminist discussion. To me, it failed miserably.
January 26, 2020
as to be expected with a twenty five thousand word essay on feminism, there were things i agreed with and things i didn't. her use of greer and dunham as feminist touchstones was wack & goldsworthy seems to misunderstand that women do not have to speak on behalf on all women BUT that doesn't make them exempt from criticism. this was written in 2013, however, and things revolving feminism has changed a lot.
August 26, 2013
This short essay is a great combination with Night Games which I finished a while ago. Goldsworthy is a confident writer with a broad sweep. The narrative spins off the speech that former Prime Minister Gillard made last year about misogyny (http://media.smh.com.au/news/national...) I feel sad writing this now – the end of the Gillard government ultimately exposed the deep vein of sexism in this society.
“Goldsworthy is interested in this wider culture and the conflicting messages it broadcasts to women. How is it, she asks, that girls dominate tertiary study and we had both a female prime minister and governor-general - yet mothers reported sitting down and sharing Gillard's speech with their daughters? Did it contain words their daughters will need in a world of Facebook, Slutwalks, Lady Gaga, Girls, Mad Men, gonzo porn, Twilight and Fifty Shades of Grey?” ( http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/b...)
The essay is wide-ranging. “Misogyny's verbal expression, she writes, usually takes three forms: the unforgiving assessment of a woman's appearance; the threat of violence; and the reminder of the fundamental shame of her sex. There are, she observes, many words for women (slut, hussy, bitch, c---) that sound like hate.
''What is it about the female body that generates so much anxiety?'' she asks. Is it because we have designated it our prime sexual site? Is it because it billows up in pregnancy? ''Or is the problem that we each owe a female body our existence, and the debt is too large to forgive?'' Shame, she suggests, is the raw material of misogyny. “ (Again from the SMH article)
I liked this review too: “Still, Unfinished Business is not a call for false unity, as if all differences can or should be imagined away. Goldsworthy makes it clear that feminism’s work is not yet complete, and her essay offers ample evidence that further progress will encounter active (and sometimes ferocious) resistance — as well as silent disapproval and apathy. Goldsworthy writes that “A resilient feminism, surely, is a broad church”, one that “has much to offer our daughters”. And, I would add, our sons.” (http://www.adelaidereview.com.au/arts...)
“Goldsworthy is interested in this wider culture and the conflicting messages it broadcasts to women. How is it, she asks, that girls dominate tertiary study and we had both a female prime minister and governor-general - yet mothers reported sitting down and sharing Gillard's speech with their daughters? Did it contain words their daughters will need in a world of Facebook, Slutwalks, Lady Gaga, Girls, Mad Men, gonzo porn, Twilight and Fifty Shades of Grey?” ( http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/b...)
The essay is wide-ranging. “Misogyny's verbal expression, she writes, usually takes three forms: the unforgiving assessment of a woman's appearance; the threat of violence; and the reminder of the fundamental shame of her sex. There are, she observes, many words for women (slut, hussy, bitch, c---) that sound like hate.
''What is it about the female body that generates so much anxiety?'' she asks. Is it because we have designated it our prime sexual site? Is it because it billows up in pregnancy? ''Or is the problem that we each owe a female body our existence, and the debt is too large to forgive?'' Shame, she suggests, is the raw material of misogyny. “ (Again from the SMH article)
I liked this review too: “Still, Unfinished Business is not a call for false unity, as if all differences can or should be imagined away. Goldsworthy makes it clear that feminism’s work is not yet complete, and her essay offers ample evidence that further progress will encounter active (and sometimes ferocious) resistance — as well as silent disapproval and apathy. Goldsworthy writes that “A resilient feminism, surely, is a broad church”, one that “has much to offer our daughters”. And, I would add, our sons.” (http://www.adelaidereview.com.au/arts...)
July 1, 2013
Exceptional. I had my highlighter out for those sentences I know I'll want to reference later. Clever, thorough and balanced. 'Alan Jones is a first world problem' indeed! Spot on Anna. I hope to read more of your work.
July 3, 2013
What tilda said.
July 19, 2013
Extremely well-written; not so much thought-provoking as thought-confirming, at least for me. Should be read by anyone who thinks women in Australia enjoy perfect equality with men.
December 31, 2017
Every Greer or Dunham reference took a star off. Jokes aside, this book could have been an interesting look at the misogyny solidified in our masculine political institutions, however, it chose to demonise sexual females by putting the argument forward that it is actually the availability of female sexuality that oppresses women. In the last few pages, it teeters on the edge of a realisation that would have made the entire essay seem like a satirical take on feminism. That realisation was shaping up to be 'intersectional feminism' as a solution bridging the divide between privileged and less privileged women and people. Disappointingly, it just resolves that feminism is more so just part of an unchanged culture stuck in pre-second wave feminist world. Who let this privileged white woman publish this pseudo-feminist bullshit? Should have been posted on MammaMia.
February 16, 2019
Missing more acknowledgment of economics and more than whiteness. Glad I read the responses published in the next essay issue....some great commentary but largely an important reminder that not all women are lovely leftie feminists :(
April 24, 2023
Interesting. Definitely 10 years old but extremely relevant still inspire of current events no longer so current.
Rather depressing read on many ways.
Very little has changed nor improved 10 years on
Rather depressing read on many ways.
Very little has changed nor improved 10 years on
Read
June 20, 2019This wasn't terrible but there are so many other - much better - books and essays about feminism and misogyny.
January 11, 2014
A lot of what Goldworthy in her essay in The Quarterly says nothing new but it showed how much progress there still has to be made. When she says that ‘what men should do and what women should be remains a persistent bias of our culture even as it bears no resemblance to the actual divisions of labour’. Her article documents the gender issues surrounding the prime ministership of Julia Gillard and describes the state of play of the role of women in public life. It seems outrageous that what women do and look like is still important in 2014.
It covers everything from how language is used to degrade women as well as the concept of the gender card. Not only does she look at female politicians but also at women scholars, miners and novelists. She also looks at the female body as a unit of shame and hate as well as its role in popular culture. She states that ‘the shame of the original sin was the shame of a woman. The psychology of shame is feminine: blushing, withdrawal. It prompts us to make ourselves smaller, through dieting or modesty of bearing. Shame underlines our compliance, our fixed grin, our need to please.’ From the moment we’re born we seemed to be conditioned to behave in a subservient way and is amazing to see how ingrained it is.
The other part of the essay looks at Gillard’s famous misogyny speech, where she points out that what caught people’s attention around the world was that it was more than Julia vs. Tony or Labor vs. Liberal but women vs. misogyny.
Her article made me sad, it made me angry that despite the progress that women have made that Australia’s first prime minister would be such a target of vitriolic abuse from shock jocks and “commentators” and have to deliver such a speech in order to be taken seriously.
October 31, 2013
Anna Goldsworthy frames her discussion on contemporary feminism around Julia Gillard's now infamous misogyny speech. Goldsworthy examines the speech in context and considers how it was interpreted differently by various sections of the global population. Clearly stated is the distinction between sexism and misogyny (by dictionary definitions) and how these definitions change the argument on misogyny considerably. Goldsworthy also considers the various views on contemporary feminism and how they translate into the real world - and highlights how women can be their own worst enemy by creating more division and attacking the very people who are trying to further the cause of equality. To illustrate this, Goldsworthy dedicates a number of pages to the criticism that Sheryl Sandberg has received on her book "Lean In" and considers that perhaps Sandberg was clearly not aiming to direct her book to all women, but a particular group - and why this should not be seen as such a terrible thing, almost bemoaning a popular belief that writers on gender equality issues should direct their writing to all women, rather than a specific group.
Goldsworthy provides much to think about in this QE - and makes a rational argument to support each of her points. Ultimately, Goldsworthy considers the legacy that we leave for the future generations of women to be the most important outcome, and to keep this in mind when discussing the issues at hand.
Goldsworthy provides much to think about in this QE - and makes a rational argument to support each of her points. Ultimately, Goldsworthy considers the legacy that we leave for the future generations of women to be the most important outcome, and to keep this in mind when discussing the issues at hand.
March 2, 2016
The difference between sexism and misogyny matters. That's the thought I'm left with after reading this very compelling Quarterly Essay and it's a point Goldsworthy makes clear. Put this together with Anna Krien's "Night Games" and there is a very strong case for another feminist revolution in Australia, although it still isn't entirely certain how attitudes will be changed. Goldsworthy wants women to name when they are offended, but given the virulence of some of the misogyny she describes, I'm not sure that women's voices are heard by the haters who most need to listen. Goldsworthy's voice is strong in the writing, and her position is clearly argued and evidenced. This is another book I hope I'll be able to discuss with my children when they are older.
February 18, 2017
Outstanding - a beautifully written, cool yet witty look at where we are in terms of "sex, freedom and misogyny" as the subtitle states.
Since Anna Goldsworthy wrote the essay, Australia's first female Prime Minister has been replaced by Kevin Rudd, the person she had earlier replaced. The relentless sexist attacks on Julia Gillard by the Opposition, by the various media and even by the enemies in her own party (not least Kevin Rudd of course) have been disgusting to observe over the last three years. We can now presumably all settle down again with a man in charge.
Since Anna Goldsworthy wrote the essay, Australia's first female Prime Minister has been replaced by Kevin Rudd, the person she had earlier replaced. The relentless sexist attacks on Julia Gillard by the Opposition, by the various media and even by the enemies in her own party (not least Kevin Rudd of course) have been disgusting to observe over the last three years. We can now presumably all settle down again with a man in charge.
August 28, 2013
A deeply thoughtful, intricate essay on feminism in Australia today.
I feel it will take a least another reading before I'll come to grips with some of the content and it's implications.
I liked how wide ranging it was. However, I'd have liked the essay to be more linear, or better signposted for the reader and for the conclusions to be more clearly drawn. But perhaps that is the point, it is a complex journey that has not reached its conclusion and is composed of many voices and viewpoints.
3.5 stars
I feel it will take a least another reading before I'll come to grips with some of the content and it's implications.
I liked how wide ranging it was. However, I'd have liked the essay to be more linear, or better signposted for the reader and for the conclusions to be more clearly drawn. But perhaps that is the point, it is a complex journey that has not reached its conclusion and is composed of many voices and viewpoints.
3.5 stars
October 4, 2013
I thought the first part of this essay (the parts on Gillard) were excellent: very perceptive, very thorough, very interesting. The section on beauty and so forth that followed was also quite good, though a little limited in some ways. The last bit entirely missed the mark, I thought, and got worse and worse as the book drew to a close, though it never quite lapsed into run-of-the-mill liberal feminism, which is something to be happy about.
November 1, 2014
An excellent round-up of the feminist discussion and social climate/attitude surrounding women in Australia in 2013, founded in the analysis of discourse about Gillard. Read for a contemporary understanding of gender politics!
June 23, 2013
I knew it was going to be bad when she started quoting Caitlin Moran and Katy Roiphe.
October 10, 2014
3 1/2 stars - full review coming soon!
April 20, 2014
Great essay. Enjoyed the nuanced consideration of feminist issues in an Australian and broader context. Thorough integration of a variety of sources.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews