GenZine
IF GIRLS RAN THE POWER BY NAOMI ALDERMAN Content warning: This book contains graphic scenes of violence and sexual violence.
This book explores the idea that the patriarchy and it’s subsequent power dynamics do not result from a hierarchy of ‘masculine’ attributes over ‘feminine’. Rather, that it is human nature to have such attributes in this hierarchy regardless of how they are culturally gendered.
The story begins in a patriarchal world, like ours. Suddenly, women and girls all over the world develop a power. They realise they have a biological ability to electrocute… should they choose. This catalyses a shift in power structures all over the world.
Now, many vehemently disagree with this book’s portrayal of human nature. Particularly it’s conclusion - that the assumption that attributes such as compassion are inherently female or aggression inherently male - is a social construct.
Margot states: “Nothing that either of these men says is really of any great significance, because she could kill them in three moves…It doesn’t matter that she shouldn’t, that she never would. What matters is that she could, if she wanted. The power to hurt is a kind of wealth.” (Chapter 10)
If we take a step back from this emotional interrogation of our identities, and instead, analyse the fictional universe, we can enjoy some enticing brain food. The book concludes in a world with the same problems as ours but with one (in) significant difference. Women are on top and men… are the fairer sex.
The book begins in a patriarchy and ends in a matriarchy. The story unfolds over the course of that transition.
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