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Germaine Greer

To what extent does history present a balanced interpretation of your personality?

Germaine Greer is a highly opinionated and controversial feminist whose ideas and theories have divided critics over the decades. She first gained infamy with the release of her first and groundbreaking book The Female Eunuch in 1970 – she was turned almost overnight into an international success and a household name, bringing her both adoration and criticism. Former British MP Edwina Currie has called her "a great big hard-boiled prat" , while others such as New York novelist Bruce Benderson have a markedly different take on the matter; "Her job is that of an artist, to reveal as clearly as possible what exists in nature and society, but not to take advantage of it" . This essay hopes to outline her place in modern history and to determine the accuracy with which she is portrayed. This essay will conclude that history does indeed present a balanced interpretation of Greer – although critics maintain division on her ideas, her place in history is neither guaranteed nor obvious. History cannot judge someone who is still publishing books based on contradictory themes and ideas. She seems to be unable to illicit contentious comment, but history will hopefully eventually judge her as someone who contributed to the modern furtherance of the emancipation of women.

Greer is certainly not someone who espouses indifference – people are either for or against. One is unlikely to remain indecisive about her, she has always been one to shock and is perhaps one of the first women to make controversy a career choice. Greer is either one of two things; an intellectual feminist who nobly breaks outmoded social dictates, or a woman with little relevance who might be ignored. Historians continue to remain divided about her, but for Greer, breaking social taboo is simply part of her persona. Her latest book did nothing in her favour – it furthers her contentious...

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