Tehanu (Earthsea Cycle, #4)

by Ursula K. Le Guin

Both manhood and magery are built on one rock: power belongs to men. If women had power, what would men be but women who can’t bear children? And what would women be but men who can?” “Hah!” went Tenar; and presently, with some cunning, she said, “Haven’t there been queens? Weren’t they women of power?” “A queen’s only a she-king,” said Ged. She snorted. “I mean, men give her power. They let her use their power. But it isn’t hers, is it? It isn’t because she’s a woman that she’s powerful, but despite it.” She nodded. She stretched, sitting back from the spinning wheel. “What is a woman’s power, then?” she asked “I don’t think we know.” “When has a woman power because she’s a woman? With her children, I suppose. For a while . . .” “In her house, maybe.” She looked around the kitchen. “But the doors are shut,” she said, “the doors are locked.” “Because you’re valuable.” “Oh, yes. We’re precious. So long as we’re powerless . . . I remember when I first learned that! Kossil threatened me—me, the One Priestess of the Tombs. And I realized that I was helpless. I had the honor; but she had the power, from the God-king, the man. Oh, it made me angry! And frightened me . . . Lark and I talked about this once. She said, ‘Why are men afraid of women?’” “If your strength is only the other’s weakness, you live in fear,” Ged said.