The Second Sex Lesson Plan

What is the effect of De Beauvoir's tone at the start of the novel? Why might she have utilized this tone?

De Beauvoir starts the book somewhat humorously, acknowledging that the subject of 'women' is irritating to no one more than women themselves. She asks many open-ended questions, and mimics the language of the day. She expresses a frustration that it is an ongoing conversation, but is frank that it is still relevant. De Beauvoir also uses humor; for example, she asks "is femininity secreted by the ovaries? It it enshrined in a Platonic heaven? Is a frilly petticoat enough to bring it down to earth?" This approach is disarming - she faces her would-be detractors head-on,...