Shivani Mody Week One

An Analysis of "The Egg and The Sperm" by Emily Martin and "Night to his Day" by Judith Lorber 

Emily Martin in “The Egg and The Sperm” underlines the dichotomy of the male and female as evident even in biological descriptions of reproductive functions. Playing into heavily gendered stereotypes, scientific language itself reaffirms notions of the feminine and the masculine. The egg is described as a passive actor in the process of reproduction, while it is the sperm “penetrates” in a heroic manner. Similarly, bodily functions that are natural in a woman are seen in light quite dissimilar to that of men. Menstruation is also described in a negative light, while its function in the larger reproductive process is overlooked. It is this same passiveness of the female that Judith Lorber tries to bring out in “Night to his Day”. Her essential argument focuses on the constant marginalisation of a women’s role as only being complimentary to a man. In the same way that the docility of the egg makes the sperm seem even more grand, the meekness of a woman brings the strength of a man. Both readings talk about the pervasive nature of such gendering, that begins at a young age and is almost inevitable. From babies dressed in the subway to the color a kid’s room is painted, societal constructs of gender find a way to reaffirm themselves.