Herland

Patriarchal gender distinctions appear to highlight that gendered behaviors are learned from the environment. Each male character carries different assumptions about what Herland will be like, and each of their perspectives is based on cultural distinctions between men and women. Jeff, who views women as above men and worthy of service and protection, imagines an idyllic society. Although his assumptions are close to reality, he is uncomfortable with the women’s insistence on performing physical labor because he thinks they deserve an easier life. Van’s approach represents flawed real-world science that was impacted by confirmation bias; scientists at the time used biased science to support the notion that women were intellectually and physically inferior to men. Terry holds the most degrading assumptions, as he sexualizes all women: “Terry, with his clear decided practical theories that there were two kinds of women—those he wanted and those he didn’t; Desirable and Undesirable was his demarcation” (19). As such, he assumes Herland will be primitive because, outside of sexual value, women are, to him, incapable of innovation or cooperation.

The Herlanders do not meet the men’s patriarchal expectations. The men view the Herland women as unfeminine, which is symbolized in their