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Whatever (novel): Difference between revisions
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Its acknowledgement of a social hierarchy as being instinctive to human sexuality makes it arguably the most [[Blackpill|blackpilled]] novel in history.<ref>https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/whatever-1994-by-michel-houellebecq-a-superb-declaration-of-hostilities-1.3919923</ref> | Its acknowledgement of a social hierarchy as being instinctive to human sexuality makes it arguably the most [[Blackpill|blackpilled]] novel in history.<ref>https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/whatever-1994-by-michel-houellebecq-a-superb-declaration-of-hostilities-1.3919923</ref> | ||
=Synopsis= | == Synopsis == | ||
Harel is a 30 year old programmer earning a reasonably good wage. Ugly, depressive and lacking charisma, he is unsuccessful with women. He hasn't known a single woman since the separation from his girlfriend Véronique a few years ago. He doesn't match what women seek on market of sexuality and narcissistic satisfaction, people don't even remember his name. Harel is an observer of the hypocrisy of Western societies in which a strong social hierarchy based on sexuality prevails. | Harel is a 30 year old programmer earning a reasonably good wage. Ugly, depressive and lacking charisma, he is unsuccessful with women. He hasn't known a single woman since the separation from his girlfriend Véronique a few years ago. He doesn't match what women seek on market of sexuality and narcissistic satisfaction, people don't even remember his name. Harel is an observer of the hypocrisy of Western societies in which a strong social hierarchy based on sexuality prevails. | ||
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Harel's mental health worsens and he is willingly interned in a rest home. | Harel's mental health worsens and he is willingly interned in a rest home. | ||
=Excerpts= | == Excerpts == | ||
[ . . . ] in societies like ours sex truly represents a second system of differentiation, completely independent of money; and as a system of differentiation it functions just as mercilessly. The effects of these two systems are, furthermore, strictly equivalent. Just like unrestrained economic liberalism, and for similar reasons, sexual liberalism produces phenomena of absolute pauperization. Some men make love every day; others five or six times in their life, or never. Some make love with dozens of women; others with none. It's what's known as `the law of the market'. In an economic system where unfair dismissal is prohibited, every person more or less manages to find their place. In a sexual system where adultery is prohibited, every person more or less manages to find their bed mate. In a totally liberal sexual system certain people have a varied and exciting erotic life; others are reduced to masturbation and solitude. Economic liberalism is an extension of the domain of the struggle, its extension to all ages and all classes of society. Sexual liberalism is likewise an extension of the domain of the struggle, its extension to all ages and all classes of society. [ . . . ] Certain people win on both levels; others lose on both.<ref>Michel Houellebecq, ''Whatever'', 1994, translation by Paul Hammond, 1998, chapter 8: ''Back to the Cows''.</ref></blockquote> | [ . . . ] in societies like ours sex truly represents a second system of differentiation, completely independent of money; and as a system of differentiation it functions just as mercilessly. The effects of these two systems are, furthermore, strictly equivalent. Just like unrestrained economic liberalism, and for similar reasons, sexual liberalism produces phenomena of absolute pauperization. Some men make love every day; others five or six times in their life, or never. Some make love with dozens of women; others with none. It's what's known as `the law of the market'. In an economic system where unfair dismissal is prohibited, every person more or less manages to find their place. In a sexual system where adultery is prohibited, every person more or less manages to find their bed mate. In a totally liberal sexual system certain people have a varied and exciting erotic life; others are reduced to masturbation and solitude. Economic liberalism is an extension of the domain of the struggle, its extension to all ages and all classes of society. Sexual liberalism is likewise an extension of the domain of the struggle, its extension to all ages and all classes of society. [ . . . ] Certain people win on both levels; others lose on both.<ref>Michel Houellebecq, ''Whatever'', 1994, translation by Paul Hammond, 1998, chapter 8: ''Back to the Cows''.</ref></blockquote> | ||
=References= | == References == | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||