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A narrative largely centred around power, The Female Persuasion explores the moral balance between those who hold and control it, and those who bear it, and inherit it.
As the title suggests, the novel follows several main characters on their journey into adulthood, and places them within a generational evolution of female empowerment. However throughout the book, feminism is used not just as a political lens to analyse their motives, but rather to highlight their individual and respective struggles of self vs society.
Greer Kadetsky
Initially cast as a studious but shy college student, Greer finds herself tossed into a whirlwind of social life no longer solely entwined with facts, but also opinions, ethics, and uncertainty.
This effect is accentuated as she navigates her way through her real-life college adventure, outside of the treasured and educating books which had raised her in lieu of her aloof parents.
For years it had been enough to be the intelligent one.
Greer’s character is symbolic of a young girl beginning to understand that firstly, things are not defaultly equal, and secondly, that it is incredibly difficult to recognise them – let alone change them.
She didn’t understand why she was so easily willing to take on this predetermined female role. But then she realized she actually sort of liked it, because it made her part of a long chain of women who had done exactly this.
Throughout the novel Greer seeks to find her ‘outside voice’. While she recognises the qualities of the person she aspires to be, she struggles with a constant need for productivity, and the crushing weight of concern for the appearance of work which others deem ‘worthy’.
Greer’s character development reflects that of both self-awareness and aspiration, slowly breaking out of their dormant states as her mind becomes aware of her own capabilities, as well as those of all women.
Greer wanted to tell her to occupy more space, to drape her modest things around the room, to ask for more, and in doing so to become more.
In this coming-of-age story, Greer’s actions and decisions are placed within the contexts of her opportunities and influences – largely centred around Faith Frank.
Faith Frank
Characterised as an enchanting and eternal warrior of women, Faith emerges early in the story as a promising mentor-like figure for our protagonist Greer. It is largely Faith’s mystery which draws in her fawning support – somehow holding the motherly reigns of growth, while remaining an untouchable source of strength.
Maybe that’s what we imagine it would be like to have a women lead us. When women got into positions of power, they calibrated and recalibrated tenderness and strength, modulating and correcting. Power and love didn’t often live side by side. If one came in, the other might go.
Faith’s role in Greer’s life reflects this multifaceted nature of power, as their relationship transitions from one of worship to one of partnership. And yet, just as Greer falls short of her own expectations, we learn of Faith’s own stumbles, and witness how the burden of responsibility born by expectations can alter one’s vision and purpose…
Beyond this, Faith presents a steadfold symbol of feminism, reflecting both its development as well as its critiques. Regarded as the end of an era, Faith’s continued influence is not welcomed by all – particularly by those who deem her concerns as elitist and Western.
Because as long as women are separate from one another, organized around competition – like in a children’s game where only one person gets to be the princess – then it will the rare women who is not in the end narrowed and limited by our society’s idea of what a women should be.
Here the significance of her shadow, Greer, becomes apparent. Despite the changing times and climates of oppression, these two characters find common cause for their efforts, and allude to the timeless urgency of female empowerment.
Cory Pinto
From the beginning Greer’s fate is tied to Cory’s. Despite their parents considering them ‘twin rocket ships’ – both taking off to Ivy Leagues with equal future promise – these two ships were not indeed built on even ground.
As their backgrounds and young lives are revealed, Cory’s character plays the perfect juxtaposition against Greer’s; so closely entwined and yet so vastly divergent.
They were never asked to help around the house; that was women’s work. All they needed to do was learn, and prove themselves academically, and soon suitable rewards would come.
Cory, for example, while dually dedicated to his studies, is blind to his gendered privilege until he is forced to reconcile his actions with their effects on someone tangibly real and emotionally significant: Greer.
Crucially, while their romantic relationship is tested by time & distance, true alienation emerges in the wake of a drastic change in lifestyle for Cory, and thus for Greer…
These two characters are a kaleidoscope of ambition and consequence, each held down by the weight of their dreams, and sparred by the unpredictable circumstances which arise in their paths.
Zee Eisenstat
Zee brings an added dimension of gender to the novel, following a different yet equally transformative search for self.
She wondered if some people got to feel fully full, or whether it was everyone’s fate to feel as if the state of being human was one in which the self was like a bag of something wonderful that had already been half-eaten.
As a politically-motivated and highly enthusiastic activist, Zee presents as the ideal candidate for Faith Frank’s attention. And yet it is Greer upon whom Faith’s faith is placed.
While this indeed marks the contrasting dimensions of their personalities, it succeeds in cementing them within a shared admiration which binds their friendship for years beyond its relevance.
Yet despite their system of symbiotic support, as this relationship matures it becomes apparent that sometimes we can be blinded by our need to feel needed, and make choices at the expense of others…
Power, People & Persuasion
Each of these characters are skillfully developed and embody the unpredictable nature of growth which time forever unveils. Each relatable at times, the book succeeds in truly making oneself reflect on the circumstances within which we exist, have overcome, or intend to reach.
A key motif of the story is the changing perceptions and intentions of feminism across ages and minds. In an unintentionally circular message, the book underlines the necessity to revisit and relight core feminist principles, regardless of how far it seems we have come.
We need to keep thinking about the role that economics plays. Because no matter how fair a society is, it’s still going to be women who have the babies. And that sets them up for housewifery and the double day.
In this true coming-of-age story, the reader is carried by intrigue along a stream of connectivity between themselves and the characters. And overarchingly, the story explores the fluid transformation of power within a person over time and age, and the inherent responsibility of finding the next link in the chain.
