The Straight Mind and Other Essays

A collection of theoretical writings by Monique Wittig, described as one of the most important and influential contemporary French feminist writers. Covering feminist theory, politics, language and literature, Wittig argues that the category of sex is itself a political one and that heterosexuality is a trap, a forced political regime. She proposes that there cannot any longer be women and men, and that as classes and as categories of thought or language have to disappear, politically, economically and ideologically. Taking this idea further, the title essay ends with the conclusion: lesbians are not women.