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Temptress: From the Original Bad Girls to Women on Top
According to Jane Billinghurst, men created the idea of the temptress — an irresistible woman bent on bringing them down — to justify the fact that they so often surrender to women, especially in the bedroom. In this fascinating study, she examines this vision in history, mythology, in the Bible, artwork, and film. She traces the evolution of the temptress from an almost demonic presence in folklore to current in-your-face performers like Madonna.
The changing image of the temptress reflects the ebb and flow of men's fears and fantasies, as well as women's self-possession and power. When men feel threatened by women's control, temptresses are seen as dangerous. When there is a lull in the battle of the sexes, these women become objects of fantasies. Billinghurst makes the case that when men begin to accept women as equals, the figure of the temptress will serve to accommodate both male and female desires.
The changing image of the temptress reflects the ebb and flow of men's fears and fantasies, as well as women's self-possession and power. When men feel threatened by women's control, temptresses are seen as dangerous. When there is a lull in the battle of the sexes, these women become objects of fantasies. Billinghurst makes the case that when men begin to accept women as equals, the figure of the temptress will serve to accommodate both male and female desires.
176 pages, Hardcover
First published May 18, 2004
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About the author
Jane Billinghurst
31 books35 followersJane Billinghurst is an editor, author, and translator. Her most recent translations include The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 12, 2017
A little disappointing.
It certainly has a voice, and uses it, but it was so tilted that I found it off-putting.
So many generalizations, and written as if EVERY man thinks a certain way in a given period of time.
There was some interesting art that you don't see all the time, so although the writing was not my style, it still seemed like a worthwhile read.
The later parts were better, as they focused more on specific individuals instead of archetypes, but so many of them were not real people (movie characters) that it dinna ring true.
It certainly has a voice, and uses it, but it was so tilted that I found it off-putting.
So many generalizations, and written as if EVERY man thinks a certain way in a given period of time.
There was some interesting art that you don't see all the time, so although the writing was not my style, it still seemed like a worthwhile read.
The later parts were better, as they focused more on specific individuals instead of archetypes, but so many of them were not real people (movie characters) that it dinna ring true.
July 23, 2013
A disappointment overall. There was way too many pages wasted on movie plots that ruined my respect for the author. Hello, write something original...!
October 19, 2021
This book is okay, nothing special for the genre. It's just brief summaries of women's lives without much conclusion or original thought built upon it.
October 4, 2011
VERY ENTERTAINING! THE AUTHOR HAS A THESIS: WHEN WOMEN FEEL TO OPPRESSED THEY BECOME "MEAN" WHEN THEY ACHIEVE EQUAL RIGHTS THEY ARE HAPPY. SINCE EVE AND ADAM THIS CYCLE HAS BEEN GOING ON. THE BOOK GOES THROUGH VARIOUS ARCHETYPES OF "BAD GIRLS". ENLIGHTENING AND FUN!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews