HERLAND is a utopian novel from 1915, written by feminist Charlotte
Perkins Gilman. The book describes an isolated society composed entirely
of women, who reproduce via parthenogenesis. The result is an ideal
social order: free of war, conflict, and domination.
The story is told from the perspective of Vandyck "Van" Jennings, a
student of sociology who, along with two friends (Terry O. Nicholson and
Jeff Margrave), forms an expedition party to explore an area of
uncharted land where it is rumored lives a society consisting entirely
of women. The three friends do not entirely believe the rumors because
they are unable to think of a way how human reproduction could occur
without males. The men speculate about what a society of women would be
like, each guessing differently based on the stereotype of women which
he holds most dear: Jeff regarding women as things to be served and
protected; Terry viewing them as things to be conquered and won.
When the explorers reach their destination, they proceed with caution,
hiding the biplane they arrive in, and trying to keep themselves hidden
in the forests that border the land. They are quickly found by three
young women who they realize are observing them from the treetops. After
attempting to catch the girls with trickery, the men end up chasing the
young women towards a town or village. The women outrun them easily and
disappear among the houses, which, Van notes are exceptionally well made
and attractive. After meeting the first inhabitants of this new land
(which Van names Herland) the men proceed more cautiously, noting that
the girls they met were strong, agile, and completely unafraid. Their
caution is warranted because as the men enter the town where the girls
disappeared, they become surrounded by a large group of women who march
them towards an official looking building. . . (more on
www.wisehouse-classics.com)
