BookShook discussion

I've had a number of emails from listeners saying that Cathy is a feminist icon. I'd love to know your thoughts and whether you agree/disagree?

I think that's a stretch personally but I guess it depends on what your definition of feminist icon is. She's a sadist and a murderer- no one should look up to her or idolize her. But she was incredibly intelligent and a successful business woman- which reminds me of how they say a lot of wall street executives are narcissists/psychopaths (or something like that: https://www.theatlantic.com/health/ar...). She also broke the mold of what women were supposed to be like. She weaponized her beauty to exploit wealthy men and manipulated her way into inheriting a business. She lacked anything resembling motherly instincts and abandoned her children soon after birth to become a sex worker. All she wanted was a lot of money and to be in control of her own life without anyone holding her down no matter what it cost or who she had to kill to get it.

You make some great comments. 'She weaponised her beauty' -- you put it so well and I agree. As you say, she's desperate to be in control of her life. Anything that makes her out of control 'like drink' - she despises. I'm just coming to the end of the novel now. It's been such a fab read.

For some reason I was expecting this to be about Wuthering Heights and was coming to say "oh hell no." I haven't read East of Eden. But based on the description by Lana above, she does sound like something of an icon, with the wanting to be in control of her own life thing.

Hey Emily. In this case, Cathy’s independence leads to dislike and rejection - perpetuating the unequal power relations between the sexes ( - discuss.’ :-)

Hi everyone! I know i am late but I also agree with Lana. I do not consider her a feminist icon; she is manipulative, evil, and would do everything in her power to get what she wants