
Rebecca Solnit
A seminal feminist collection exploring gendered power dynamics, violence against women, global injustice, and the transformative potential of equality and imagination.
The essay 'Men Explain Things to Me' popularized the term 'mansplaining', though Rebecca Solnit did not coin the word itself.
Section 1
6 Sections
Imagine a quiet evening in a mountain chalet, where a woman, well-versed in her field, is interrupted and talked over by a man who assumes she lacks knowledge. This scene, repeated countless times across the world, embodies a subtle yet powerful dynamic: men explaining things to women without regard for their expertise or experience.
Women’s struggle to be heard is not merely about conversation; it is a battle for credibility that affects their survival and dignity. From the courtroom to the workplace, women’s testimonies are often questioned, their experiences dismissed as subjective or emotional. This skepticism extends even to life-or-death situations, where a woman’s account of violence or abuse may be doubted, leaving her vulnerable and silenced.
The personal anecdotes of women who have faced mansplaining reveal the emotional toll of this dynamic. It is not only the interruption or correction but the presumption of ignorance that undermines confidence and participation. Yet, these experiences also illuminate the resilience of women who continue to assert their knowledge and claim their space in conversations and society.
Understanding this dynamic is the first step toward change. Recognizing mansplaining as a symptom of broader gender inequalities allows us to challenge it and create spaces where women’s voices are valued equally. This struggle is ongoing, but awareness brings hope for a future where conversations are truly dialogues.
As we move forward, we will explore how this battle for voice intersects with a more violent and urgent struggle—the pervasive violence against women that shapes their daily lives and freedoms. The next section delves into this longest war that women face worldwide.
6 more insights available in app
Unlock all 6 sections, 7 insights, full audio, and interactive mind map in the SnapBooks app.

Mary Wollstonecraft

Jaclyn Friedman

Naomi Wolf

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie