History Extra Podcast: "Women's Bodies: An Unreliable History"

Release Date: January 20, 2025
Host: Lauren Good
Guest: Professor Helen King, Professor Emeritus of Classical Studies at the Open University

Introduction

In the episode titled "Women's Bodies: An Unreliable History," hosted by Lauren Good, Professor Helen King delves into the intricate and often contentious history surrounding the female anatomy. Drawing from her book, Immaculate Uncovering the History of Women's Bodies, King explores how perceptions of women's bodies—particularly breasts, clitoris, hymen, and womb—have evolved over centuries and the profound implications these changes have had on societal views of women.

Purpose and Structure of the Book

Lauren Good (01:55):
“Female anatomy and the ideas surrounding it, from breastfeeding to virginity, can still cause contention today... Professor Helen King takes Lauren Good on a journey through the ever-changing cultural history of women's bodies.”

Professor Helen King (02:06):
King explains her motivation for writing the book:
“I've been working on the history of the female body for decades now, and I've never really put it all together into a book that was accessible for a general reader... I decided there were the four parts that really had been used most to think about what a woman is and what women can do. The four parts are breasts, clitoris, hymen, and womb.”

She emphasizes the approach of examining these body parts to navigate the complex historical imagination surrounding women's bodies, moving from the visible to the invisible aspects.

Changing Perceptions of Women's Bodies

Key Message:

Professor Helen King (03:20):
“There have been changes in how women's bodies have been seen across history, that there isn't consistency... how women have been seen has changed and what women have been allowed to do has changed.”

King highlights that the understanding and valuation of women's bodies have fluctuated, influencing societal roles and expectations of women. For example, the clitoris was once dismissed as a "freak of nature," reflecting broader societal undervaluing of female physiology.

The Womb: From Myth to Medical Symbol

Pandora Myth and the Womb (04:30):

Professor Helen King (04:30):
King draws parallels between the Pandora myth and historical medical terminology:
“In the original Pandora myth, she has a jar... in ancient Greek medicine, the womb is also referred to there as a jar... it becomes Pandora's box.”

This metaphor illustrates how the womb has been conceptualized as a vessel capable of both creation and chaos, embodying societal anxieties about female reproductive power.

Wandering Womb and Hysteria (06:23):

Professor Helen King (06:35):
She connects the term "hysteria" to the Greek word hystera (meaning womb), linking it to myths like Adam and Eve and the notion of women as afterthoughts in creation myths:
“Women are natural, men are cultural. Women are equated with trees and flowers and fruits. Men pluck those fruits.”

This association underscores historical medical practices that pathologized female emotions and behaviors as stemming from their anatomy.

Breasts: Dual Symbolism of Nourishment and Sexuality

Historical Roles of Breasts (12:42):

Professor Helen King (13:09):
“There are different ways of looking at this... on one hand, we're still praising breastfeeding... but at the same time, breasts are sexual.”

King discusses the dichotomy in the perception of breasts, balancing their role in child-rearing with their sexualization. She cites historical practices like direct udder feeding, highlighting societal flexibility—and confusion—in interpreting female physiology.

Virginity and the Hymen: Myth vs. Reality

Origins of Virginity Myths (22:09):

Professor Helen King (22:09):
“The best discussion we have of that is in the second century, where Serranus... says, well, of course there isn't [a hymen].”

King debunks the ancient origins of hymen myths, revealing that even early medical writers questioned its existence, yet later cultural narratives perpetuated the notion of virginity as a physical state confirmed by hymenal integrity.

Legal Implications and Doubting Women's Words (25:47):

Professor Helen King (25:47):
“Midwives are often called in to examine women to say, actually, no, no, she's a virgin... it's about doubting women's word.”

She explores historical legal cases where women's testimonies were undermined by demands for physical proof of virginity, highlighting the systemic mistrust and control over female sexuality.

Floral Imagery and the Naturalization of Femininity

Floral Metaphors (27:04):

Professor Helen King (27:04):
“Your virginity can be your flower, but also your hymen can be described as a flower... it's as if only a girl a certain age is actually a desirable wife.”

King analyzes the pervasive use of floral imagery to symbolize female purity and fragility, linking it to societal expectations of women’s roles and the pressure to conform to idealized standards of femininity.

Nature vs. Culture (29:22):

Professor Helen King (29:22):
“Women are always natural, but men are cultural... It means that when we look at the history of art... it's a reference to her genitalia.”

She contrasts the association of women with nature against men’s association with culture, illustrating how this dichotomy has been used to define and limit female identity and autonomy.

Societal Implications and Modern Reflections

Defining Womanhood (32:51):

Professor Helen King (32:51):
“Ideas about bodies have changed and that there has never been a point where bodies have been pure and unaffected by anything else... we should be able to think beyond bodies.”

King calls for a redefinition of womanhood that transcends physical attributes, advocating for greater bodily autonomy and the rejection of rigid, historical ideals that constrain women's identities.

Conclusion and Takeaways

In "Women's Bodies: An Unreliable History," Professor Helen King provides a comprehensive examination of how historical perceptions of female anatomy have shaped and constrained women's roles and identities. Through analyzing myths, medical practices, and societal narratives, King underscores the fluidity of these perceptions and the need for a more inclusive and liberated understanding of womanhood in the modern era.

Notable Quotes:

• Professor Helen King (03:20):
  “There have been changes in how women's bodies have been seen across history, that there isn't consistency... how women have been seen has changed and what women have been allowed to do has changed.”

• Professor Helen King (27:04):
  “Your virginity can be your flower, but also your hymen can be described as a flower... it's as if only a girl a certain age is actually a desirable wife.”

• Professor Helen King (32:51):
  “Ideas about bodies have changed and that there has never been a point where bodies have been pure and unaffected by anything else... we should be able to think beyond bodies.”

Podcast Details:
This episode was produced by Jack Bateman.
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