SimondeBeauvoir’sBisexualViewandExperience

馬燕

“Bisexual women often exemplify feminist ideals and bisexuality is the hallmark of contemporary feminis” （OConnor 81），says Jennifer Baumgardner，a representative of the third wave feminist movement.Actually，sex has a very close relationship with feminism.Sex is often a key element for feminists to express their views.As a famous feminist，Simon de Beauvoir also holds her unique sexual view.she uses her bisexual life as a means to oppose the heterosexuality which is a symbole of the patriarchal society.

As an outstanding figure in feminism，she was bisexual.Her life partner Sartre was her male companion.Apart from him，she had two female partners.One of them was Liz Orb Barranov.Barranov was Beauvoirs student when she taught in Moliere high school.As to their relationship，Beauvoir wrote，“at that time I was very lonely and sad，Barranovs coming made my life become colorful and her thoughts and mine echoed with each other.So when she wanted to step into my life，I just resisted on the surface” （Li 167-168 translated by this author）.Barranov was in fact a spiritual pillar of Beauvoir and they had common interests and ideals.As Beauvoir wrote，“I like Barranovs bravery，courage to speak out truth and forthright character” （Li 167）.Beauvoir was impressed by Barranovs determination to seek true love.She spoke in confidence “I love you，Beauvoir” （Li 168）.Such brave action was in agreement with Beauvoirs feminist ideas，such as freedom and courage for females to choose sex partners.Thus they became life partners for some time to support each other.Unfortunately，in 1943，Beauvoir was suspended from her teaching job，due to an accusation that she had abnormal relationship with Barranov.

As an influential figure during the second feminist wave，she made the famous claim that “Women are not born，but cultivated” （Li 27 translated by this author）.She emphasized the social influence on females self-formation.She believed that environmental force can shape a females life.After World War II，womens consciousness about their ability has been improved during the war period，they found that they could do what men did.In 1946，a Commission on the Status of Women was established by the United Nations to legalize females status.Then the second wave feminist movement gradually came out.That movement more cared about females bodies.It opposed the two different standards imposed on sex.From ancient Greece and Rome，the double standards of sex have existed.Males played a dominant role in sexual relationship，while females occupied passive positions in sexual enjoyment.If a married man has another love，he is regarded as a playboy.But if a married woman has another lover，she will be cursed as a slut and bitch.Those two standards of sex made some feminists very indignant.They called for sexual liberation.Under these circumstances，it is no surprise that she supports bisexuality because in this social context，she had the favorable factors to seek her true love based on her heart.And She deemed that “bearing of children was the direct cause of female slavery” （Li 27 translated by this author）.Since she didnt approve of marriage，it meant that Beauvoir initiated other kinds of relationship.In order to liberate females from patriarchal fetters，she developed kind of novel relationship with some of her female students to become supporters each other，but the precondition is that they love each other truly.

In a word，Simon de Beauvoirs bisexuality is in line with her feminist ideas.Her bisexual life experience is her opposition against the patriarchal society which contributes to her feminist beliefs.

References：

[1]Li，Yinhe.Feminist.Ji Nan：Shandong peoples Publishing House，2005.Print.

[2]Li，Yafan.Simon de Beauvoir.Beijing： Peoples Literature Publishing House，2005.Print.

[3]OConnor，Jennifer.“Look Both Ways.”Herizons.21.3 （2008）：33-35.Print.