By Adrienne Rich

In the article, Rich tries to explain how men and women are both viewed in society and on a nurturing level. She tries to explain that women are viewed more in society as caregivers and as loving women that don't claim the characteristic as of a man. She states that men, “Biologically have only one innate orientation--a sexual one that draws them to women---while women have two innate orientations. sexual toward men and reproductive toward their young." This quote states that men are dominant and looked at as the breadwinner, or "the king".  Women look up to men and try to attract them. Rich tries to say women attract men sexually, but attract their children with nurture.  When Rich mentions heterosexuality, he means Compulsory heterosexuality to the idea that the only normal sexual relationship between two people is that between a man and a woman. It also pertains to the thought that individuals regardless of their natural sexual orientation can adopt heterosexuality. For example, a woman who comes out as a lesbian is rejecting the compulsion to be heterosexual. 

 

Rich tries to tell the reader a lesbian doesn’t except the orientation where they attract the man.  I don’t believe this is true. If you look at today any one is attracted to anyone. It’s about physical attraction and personality. Movies Like the Cinderella story where the women romantically falls for the prince in and romantic setting where she has no other option in choosing just a regular guy are just fairy tales and aren’t what women are perceived as. Rich’s purpose was to motivate new kinds of feminist criticism because of the space between lesbian and feminist. Rich wants all feminist to analyze their heterocentricity.

What are your opinions on lesbians in the society? What Innate Orientation do you think they have?

In your eyes do what are your opinions on this article

Adrienne Rich Activist

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJH4Y-ylOzE