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I think the uneasiness one feels upon first encountering this text roots itself in the fact that Cixous's heart is completely on the table in this essay. The first thing I thought when I began the piece was, "whoa, this woman is angry.” The essay reads more like a diary entry, a rant as someone mentioned earlier, or an impassioned speech, rather than an academic article.

I don’t think we are used to seeing this much real emotion splayed before use in this manner. This is not a piece of fiction, this is a real heart, a real body, presenting itself to the reader and screaming: I will validate myself. It is as though she has let go of any/all societal constructs, any awareness of being P.C. , and is taking on all the injustice dealt toward women in one essay. Cixous talks as freely about woman’s masturbation and resulting guilt as she discusses their shame at writing their thoughts.

And I agree with Jessica (jrizzo) when she says that Cixous’ writing ‘swirls’ in order to exemplify her own code of arms. She is enacting what she calls for all women to do, to write the way of women; she is writing for her body to be heard and in doing so she is completely naked on the page. Her writing intimidates for this reason, I think. It is erotic and, for the prudes among us, not an easy read. She throws some very challenging ideas our way and even if I am not 100% sure I agree with all of them, I cannot help but wanting to stand up and clap for a woman who not only overcomes the shame of writing but is willing to put her heart out there for all of us to tear apart, if we so choose. There are no pretenses here and I admire that.