Femme Fatale: A Story of Literary Misogyny

Edited By: Laura Sweet

The French call it femme fatale. I call it a phenomenon of misogyny. But one we can take back. 

The term “femme fatale” is a word used in literature and art to describe a specific character archetype, or rather, a woman. In French, the literal definition is “fatal woman”. According to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary, the term refers to “a seductive woman who lures men into dangerous or compromising situations” or “a woman who attracts men by an aura of charm and mystery”. However, what this definition fails to point out is the tragic nature of this archetype. These women are pegged as deceptive temptresses; all meet a tragic end. Figures such as biblical Eve, Medea, Circe, Helen of Troy, and Cleopatra all either bring punishment and tragedy to those around them or onto themselves. 

Entirely, the concept of the femme fatale archetype resides in the problematic, overarching male gaze. With elite, white men dominating the world of literature, art, philosophy, and music for most of Western civilization’s existence, we are met, time and time again, with false narratives describing the despicable and inferior characteristics of women. What characterizing a woman as a femme fatale does is limit her, repressing her power and confining her into a little box where only her beauty and sexuality lies. What we learn from art and its examples of these archetypes, like the Greek myth of Pandora, opening this box and releasing its contents will only bring a tragic demise to the woman and the men who have “fallen under her spell”. In addition, the archetype clearly defines a woman’s capabilities, or rather lack thereof. It assumes a woman can only be powerful if she is beautiful. It claims she can only wield power if she is desired by men. It defines her power as lying only in her sexuality and her ability to use it to her advantage. Instead of using words like clever, resourceful, and independent, we are surrounded by words such as deceptive, conniving, and scheming. Women are not allowed to be intelligent unless they are plotting how to get their next man in bed. They are not allowed to be powerful unless that power comes from their sex.

Over and over again, we see women depicted as devilish sorceresses who bring doom to whoever falls under their enchantment. Yet, behind this magically tempting exterior, these women are pegged as villains, capable only of destruction and deterring men from success. Over and over, we see references to femme fatales in literature, even before the archetype was developed. The Bible implicitly implies that Eve, the first woman, brought about the entire demise of humanity after her curiosity and the false promises by Satan get the better of her. Another origin story, this time Greek in nature, claims again that a single woman, Pandora, who was created by the gods to be “the perfect woman”, brought about all of the unpleasantries of humankind by opening a sealed box she was told not to open. Yet, why are these women punished for their curiosity? Wouldn’t we all open a box we were told not to? Wouldn’t we all take a bite of an apple that would bring us out of our blindness and allow us to possess the knowledge of good and evil? Why are women not commended for their curiosity, or at least, why are women always faulted for pursuing knowledge? After all, curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge is the only pathway to discovery and progress. Yet, repeatedly throughout literature and art, women are faulted for their wonder and denied being labeled as intelligent, while men get all the praise. Why aren’t the men blamed for their gullibility, lack of curiosity, or pegged as the “bringer of doom” to mankind?

The answer to all of these questions lies in the patriarchy. History is defined, described, and explained through the eyes of elite, white men. Our narrative of history is tainted by the male gaze, where women have no place except for in the home. Even our belief systems are tainted, with the three main monotheistic religions describing God as a man. If God was a woman, would we all be saved? 

Despite the negativity surrounding the archetype, I believe we, as women, can find empowerment in being labelled as femme fatales. Though the Merriam-Webster definition fails to mention intelligence, we can apply it to our definition. A femme fatale does not have to bring tragedy to those around her or herself. She does not have to only rely on the power that comes from her desirability, beauty, and sex. She is not defined by her sexuality or her identity as a woman. She is resourceful, intelligent, and knowledgeable. She knows what she wants, and she gets it. She is strong, confident, and powered by her belief in herself and her abilities. She doesn’t care about attracting men; men can’t help but be attracted to her! She’s a girl boss, a leader, and hungry for success. She’s an ambitious dreamer, and nothing can stand in her way. 

So, let’s take back the phenomenon of the femme fatale. Let’s add the words of “intelligence, courage, and strength” to our definition. Let’s find power in ourselves, not from the attention men pay us. What’s stopping us from changing the narrative and the perception of history while we’re at it? The answer is nothing. So, let’s rewrite history and take back the narrative. We are not fatal women. We are unstoppable. Just don’t stand in our way. 

• art
• culture
• feminism
• femme fatale
• literature
• misogyny
• movies