synopsis:

'mercy' is a fiction book by extreme feminist andrea dworkin, in which she describes the way western societies are essentially ant-woman.it is about andrea, who has a very millitant and aggressive look to men. this novel therefore interrogates conventional notions of justice and mercy and asks the reader to consider the circumstances of Andreas life in understanding her conduct at the novels conclusion.

The novels feminism is not achieved by baldly inciting all women to violence. Rather, Dworkin points out that: 1) the violence that has been, and is, perpetrated against women is genocidal, and that men have engaged in literal war against them. 2) The judicial system takes litle note of womens experiences in sexual assault, child custody, and other such hearings, and reinforces gender-biased interpetations of women. Dworkin interrogates judicial practice by positioning the reader as the trier of fact whose sole referrant is Andrea, herself. We judge her conduct according to her story. It is only because the legal system fails women that the latter must employ more martial means in defending themselves.

on this book:

this novels uses a stream-of-consciousness technique to reinforce the immediacy and "story from the frontlines" feel of the narrative.by many (also by other feminists) this work is criticised because it describes man in a very hateful way and is therefore not different from the hateful way man treat women according to dworkin. on the other side, this novel can be seen as a provocative description that is not objective, but wants to change the view on our society and addresses the reader's thoughts about gender questions.see also: * "i also had nightmares. somehow..."