Simone de Beauvoir (philosophy & literature)
Published: October 29, 2025
Simone de Beauvoir is a towering figure in both philosophy and literature, whose thoughts continue to resonate today. Born in 1908 in Paris, she was not only a prominent existentialist philosopher but also a groundbreaking writer. Her seminal work, The Second Sex, published in 1949, is a must-read for anyone interested in feminist theory. In it, she famously declares, "One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman," challenging the traditional roles imposed on women and laying the groundwork for gender studies.
Beauvoir's philosophical inquiries delve deep into the nature of freedom and existence, often exploring the relationship between self and other. Her partnership with Jean-Paul Sartre, another existentialist giant, sparked countless discussions about existence, ethics, and the human condition. Together, they navigated the complexities of love, autonomy, and the struggles of being, which can be seen in Beauvoir's literary works, such as her novel She Came to Stay. This exploration of personal relationships through an existential lens is both poignant and revealing, making her fiction as compelling as her philosophy.
What makes Beauvoir's work so captivating is her ability to intertwine the personal and the political, illustrating how individual choices impact broader societal structures. She invites us to reflect on our own lives and the roles we play, making her work incredibly relatable. As she once said, “On ne naît pas femme: on le devient.” So, why not take the plunge into Beauvoir's world? Join our FrenchLit sessions to explore her philosophy and literature in depth, and discover how her insights can enrich your understanding of life and love!