Intercourse (book)

Intercourse is a 1987 book by Andrea Dworkin that explores the ways in which Western literature and culture represent female sexuality and power dynamics within heterosexual relationships. Dworkin argues that the act of heterosexual intercourse, as it is culturally constructed and enacted, inherently perpetuates male dominance and female subjugation.

The book examines works by authors such as Leo Tolstoy, Charles Dickens, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and others, analyzing how these works portray sexual encounters and the social context surrounding them. Dworkin posits that these representations often reflect and reinforce patriarchal structures, positioning women as objects to be penetrated and controlled.

Intercourse generated significant controversy upon its release, drawing criticism from both feminist and anti-feminist circles. Some feminists argued that Dworkin's analysis was overly deterministic and pessimistic, failing to acknowledge female agency and the potential for positive sexual experiences within heterosexual relationships. Others praised the book for its unflinching critique of male power and its provocative challenge to conventional understandings of sexuality.

Dworkin's central thesis in Intercourse is that male power is often expressed through the physical act of sex, and that this expression is deeply ingrained in Western cultural narratives. The book is a significant contribution to feminist theory and continues to be debated and studied for its radical perspective on gender, power, and sexuality.