The Praying Mantis
Women who try to achieve transcendence, reject the passivity imposed
on them, and attain some mastery over their lives are looked on
unkindly by patriarchal society. Among the many negative stereotypes
heaped on this sort of woman is that of the praying mantis. This
unflattering symbol refers to the female insect’s habit of devouring
the male immediately following intercourse. The shrewish, nagging
wife, the “ogress” who demands too much out of life, the tyrannical
lover who withholds her body—any woman who threatens male supremacy
is accused of cannibalism. Many women fear being regarded as too
aggressive or powerful, and thus being called a praying mantis.
