Herland · Chapter
The Girls of Herland explained
The three men are finally allowed to address general audiences and classes of girls, but they find the young women are not romantically interested in them; instead, the girls study them with keen, appraising eyes, treating them as specimens
What happens
The three men are finally allowed to address general audiences and classes of girls, but they find the young women are not romantically interested in them; instead, the girls study them with keen, appraising eyes, treating them as specimens for potential social change rather than as lovers. The men struggle with the lack of sex-tradition and the women's complete independence, leading to misunderstandings and failed courtship attempts, especially for Terry.
Themes in this chapter
Gender Roles and Social Organization
The chapter highlights the clash between the men's traditional gender expectations (women as weak, needing protection) and the Herland women's complete independence and physical capability, forcing the men to reconsider their assumptions.
Love, Marriage, and Sexuality
Courtship in Herland is radically different: there is no sex-feeling or tradition of romance, and the women approach relationships as a social decision rather than a personal attraction, leading to confusion and frustration for the men.
Cooperation vs. Competition
The Herland women exhibit a high sense of solidarity, viewing motherhood as a social service and approaching the men as a collective opportunity for the Great Change, rather than as individuals seeking personal love.
Characters to notice
- Terry O. Nicholson
Terry is madly in love with Alima and tries to sweep her off her feet with a dashing attack, but she is so affronted and repelled that it takes weeks for him to get near again. He is frustrated by the girls' lack of romantic interest and his inability to use traditional courtship tactics.
- Jeff Margrave
Jeff's exalted gallantry and desire to protect women are met with confusion, as the Herland women need neither protection nor service. His ultra-devotion puzzles Celis and puts off their relationship.
- Van
Van is the narrator and philosopher of the group. He finds more success with Ellador because he seems 'more like us' (the Herland women), and he reflects on the differences in courtship and social expectations.
- Ellador
Ellador is one of the three forest girls who first met the men. She and Van talk things out together, leading to an easier experience when their relationship develops. She is described as a friend and a thoughtful partner.
- Alima
Alima is the object of Terry's affections. She is keen, swift, and unimpressed by his flattery and advances. She repels his dashing attack and remains cold toward him for weeks.
- Celis
Celis is the girl Jeff is interested in. She is puzzled by Jeff's ultra-devotion and his assumption that women are weaker, and she questions his conventions with frank amazement.
Key passages
“The 'long suit' in most courtships is sex attraction, of course. Then gradually develops such comradeship as the two temperaments allow. Then, after marriage, there is either the establishment of a slow-growing, widely based friendship, the deepest, tenderest, sweetest of relations, all lit and warmed by the recurrent flame of love; or else that process is reversed, love cools and fades, no friendship grows, the whole relation turns from beauty to ashes.”
Van reflects that typical courtship begins with sexual attraction, then develops into companionship, and after marriage either deepens into a lasting friendship sustained by love, or fades into disappointment.
Van contrasts this familiar pattern with the Herland approach, where there is no sex-feeling to start with.
“We like you the best, Somel told me, because you seem more like us.”
Somel explains to Van that he is preferred because he is more similar to the Herland women in temperament and behavior.
Van initially feels insulted by this comparison, but then realizes the women are not like the derogatory stereotype of 'women' he knows.
