It shows corruption of the instincts – even apart from the fact that it shows bad taste – when a woman refers specifically to Madame Roland or Madame de Staël or Monsieur Georges Sand, as if that proved something in favor of the “woman an sich.” Men consider these the three comical women an sich – nothing else! – and precisely the best involuntary counter-arguments against emancipation and female self-determination.
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Nietzsche is criticizing the role models of feminism as comical figures
CHATGPT
In this passage, Nietzsche is commenting on the topic of women's emancipation and the figures often cited in support of the movement during his time. Here's a breakdown:
1. **Corruption of Instincts**: Nietzsche starts by stating that citing these women as role models for the emancipation of women demonstrates a corruption of instincts and bad taste.
2. **Three Women**: The three women Nietzsche mentions were prominent figures in their time:
- **Madame Roland**: A significant figure during the French Revolution, known for her letters and memoirs.
- **Madame de Staël**: A French woman of letters and an influential figure in politics, literature, and the evolution of ideas in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
- **Monsieur Georges Sand**: The pseudonym for Amantine Lucile Aurore Dupin, a notable French novelist. The use of "Monsieur" is a nod to her adopting a male pseudonym and dressing in men's clothing.
3. **Comical Figures**: Nietzsche claims that men view these three women as comical figures rather than serious role models. He suggests that men see these women as unintentional arguments against the emancipation of women and their self-determination.
The essence of this passage is Nietzsche's provocative style and skepticism towards the women's emancipation movement of his era. By dismissing three celebrated women, he is critiquing the movement's choice of role models and challenging the assumptions of his time. As always with Nietzsche, it's essential to read his comments within the broader context of his philosophical style, which is often polemical and designed to provoke thought and challenge societal norms. However, this doesn't negate the controversial nature of such statements, especially when viewed with modern sensibilities regarding gender equality and women's rights.
