Reading 2 :- The Second Sex-1:- When I accidently met Simone de Beauvoir and she introduced me a lot about herself and other concepts.

Dear Diary,

You very well know that recently I was reading this book Prakrati by Acharya Prashant, wherein in chapter 3, he mentions the importance of reading this book- “The Second Sex”, by Simone de Beauvoir, especially for women.

The moment, I read the name of this book- I smiled for a while.

Reason being, the same book has been recommended to me by a friend of mine long back, and hearing this name again, reminded me of my friend.

Well! Keeping memories apart, I set on a journey to read this book and the first thing is:- I ventured into the pronunciation of this name- Simone de Beauvoir.

It’s a French name, and it is pronounced like- सिमन द बवुआ ||

For more clarity- find out this pronunciation youtube link

So, before delving into the book- some basic facts about this intellectual lady author that interested me is

Source- Image Amplified, ( I simply like her style)

1) The very first thing that captured my attention is her name alone.

     She is - Simone-Ernestine-Lucie-Marie Bertrand de Beauvoir 

Oops, i wondered, she really had such a big name and what could be the reason, for the same. Still, after a lot of search over internet, i haven't got an answer, though internet is flourished with her contributions, famous novels, her life but not the reason of her big name. Anyways, let this question be!! Only if, someday, I have an answer. 

    2) Simone's biography-

         

    I strongly feel that before reading an author's work, it's important to know about the early life of the author, as it gives an understanding about the writing style & theme of the book.

   From the family in which author is born, to her education background, to her exposure in life- all the experiences get reflected in writing by the author.

      Let's see one by one-

            Simone's family; where she was born; early life:-

     Simone- our intellectual lady was born into a reactionary Catholic family.

    Okay, when i read this term, i had to google it out to understand the meaning of the word reactionary and it says reactionary is most often associated with anyone who identifies as conservative, right-winged or simply resistant to change. 

    and of course, Catholics are related to followers of Jesus Christ. (it has its origin and history, but i am not going that deep).

    So, Simone's birth in a reactionary Catholic family, into a bourgeois Parisian family. 

     Bourgeois = बुर्जुआ, a class of business owners and merchants as middle class between peasantry and aristocracy. 

    But, then, world war 1 happened (1914-1918) and war snatched all the family's fortunes, leading her mother to do all the housework and sewing and since, now they lost everything, it was not possible to get Simone and Helene (her sister) to get married within their class without dowries. 

      

     Both- Simone and her sister were sent to elite convent school due to their mother's insistence; and Simone wanted to become a nun, but with time, her faith in religion lost.

    Simone was amazingly genius since her early age. 

     Whenever a girl is praised for her brilliance, I simply feel so elated. It's such a worthwhile compliment. A compliment that men counterparts would never be able to stand and same situation, Simone had to face because the book mentions that one of her boyfriends, gave her a nick name as Castor-the beaver. 

    Well, those who are new to this word- Castor; its a rodent. 

  

When Simone d Beauvoir , the brilliant lady nicknamed as beaver

     But, at the same time, no matter what, the world throws at you, I am glad that Simone knew her worth and cleared France's toughest examination, the agrégation in philosophy and got an admission

    into the French Research university Sorbonne in Philosophy.

     It must be such a glorious moment for her. :):) 

   Simone and Jean Paul Sartre:- 

   Both- Simone and Jean appeared for the French agregation examination wherein Jean Paul Sartre stood first and Simone de Beauvoir stood second.

    

   They met as students and in their first meeting, Simone explained the concept of Leibniz to Sartre, post that, they just turn out to be study partners and more.

    You can read about Leibniz with a click on this link, to be true, i tried reading and understanding but in vain.

    If, any one of you, have a clarity about the philosophical concept of Leibniz, do share with me too. 

One of the leaders of the existential movement

As per Wikipedia- Existentialism is a form of philosophical inquiry that explores the issue of human existence. Existentialist philosophers explore questions related to the meaning, purpose, and value of human existence.  

It’s a philosophical belief we are each responsible for creating purpose or meaning in ourown lives. Gods, social rules, educational institutions, etc. don’t define an individual purpose and meaning.

Journal:- Modern Times

She worked with Jean- Paul-Sartre, one of the founders of the French journal- Les Temps Modernes ( 'Modern Times'). 

    Again, Jean- Paul-Sartre is one of the key figures in the philosophy of existentialism.  

   The name of journal Modern Times is adopted after the 1936 film by Charlie Chaplin.                  

                          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aJNN29f8Hk

 

Some facts wrt translation of the book:-

The original book is Le deuxième sexe, written in French as Simone de Beauvoir is a French philosopher.

The first English translation was done by H.M. Parshley in 1953. But it was an abridged and edited version, wherein he simplified some complex philosophical language.

He complimented the book as "intelligent, learned, and well-balanced … not feminist in any doctrinaire sense”

Well, the first complete translation i.e unabridged version with original Beaurvoir's philosophical language was done by Constance Borde and Sheila Malovany.

 

Some other Facts:-

Born- 1908

Died- 1986

Lived for 78 years. I have an inert tendency to calculate the number of years, a human being has lived her/his life. The small number of years that one life has; always reminds me of this- “So much to do, and so little time”. but inspite of this reminder, I sleep a lot :( -        

   Simone’s another book – The Mandarins. This book again, relates to women, so I am mentioning it here, so that I can read it later.

I know, internet and Wikipedia- would give me a lot of readings about Simone, but for a while, let’s take a pause and start venturing into the book so that I can know about Simone from her book- “The Second Sex’, itself. 

Let’s Start, then!! 😊

Stay tuned for the upcoming posts about the book- The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir!!