men explain things to me
Rayan Khaled
is a 2014 feminist essay collection by American writer Rebecca Solnit, published by. Its title piece originally appeared as a 2008 essay on and inspired the term “mansplaining”. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Core Arguments & Themes
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- The Viral Anecdote. The title essay opens with a party encounter where a man relentlessly lectured Solnit about an important new book on Eadweard Muybridge. He ignored her friend’s repeated interruptions that Solnit had actually written the book herself. [2, 5]
- The “Mansplaining” Phenomenon. Although Solnit did not coin the word and has expressed reservations about using it, her essay gave name to a common dynamic. It describes when men assume authority over subjects they know little about while dismissing women’s actual expertise. [1, 3, 4, 6]
- Systemic Silencing. Solnit connects everyday conversational condescension to severe global issues. She argues that denying women’s credibility undermines their legal rights, safety, and ability to be believed in cases of abuse and violence. [3, 6, 7]
- Broader Collection Essays. Alongside the title piece, the original seven-essay book explores marriage equality, Virginia Woolf’s embrace of ambiguity, and contemporary violence against women. A 2015 expanded edition added two essays addressing misogyny and the #YesAllWomen movement. [1, 7]
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Where to Read or Buy
You can access the ebook on several major platforms:
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- Subscription. Available to read with a subscription on the ]( and ]
- Buy. Available for purchase on ]( for $11.99, or on ]( and ]( for $14.99.
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