Importance of The Feminine Mystique

The Feminine Mystique is a book by Betty Friedman, first published in 1963. The book is a feminist text and Rachel began reading this book and developing new ideas about her role in the family. She brought the book everywhere with her and often cried while reading it. Jacob attempted to forbid her from reading it, viewing it as usurping the importance of the Bible and traditional family roles. To Rachel, the book symbolized freedom and reclamation of the woman she always dreamed of being.