Smash the Patriarchy

As our shared understanding and knowledge about gender continues to evolve, it is important to highlight how notions of the gender binary served to subjugate women for centuries. "Smash the Patriarchy" is a graphic novel that tells an abbreviated history of patriarchy and the Western feminist movement. The book explores how ideas of gender inequality were propagated by male philosophers, artists, religious icons, scientists, psychologists, and others. Direct quotations comically display harsh misogynistic views. "Smash the Patriarchy" shares examples of how women like Hatshepsut, Madame de Stael, and Queen Christina of Sweden, defied the conventions of their time.

Author Marta Breen and Jenny Jordahl, both Norwegian, present an ode to feminist sheroes who resisted patriarchy and challenged cultural norms. Originally published in Norwegian, the book was translated by Sian Mackie. The enduring legacy of patriarchy denied women the right to vote, own property, or have any agency in their lives. Women who dared to resist were vilified and isolated. In addition to exposing the history of struggle, the book pays tribute to modern-day feminists like Arundhati Roy, Greta Thurnberg, and Amanda Gorman. In an age of critical discourse, it is important to have text that young people can use as a guide to expand their awareness about the struggle for women’s rights.