100 years without Strindberg

One hundred years after Strindberg's death, his writings are more alive than ever. Dealing with sex wars, identity crisis or financial problems seems to be today's news. A question that has struck me recently is why Strindberg has become the greatest woman-hater in literary history. For sure it had to be difficult to live together with him, but as can be deduced from some of his letters he really loved his wives (before love turned into hatred, that is). In a letter he wrote to Nietzsche, Strindberg felt like a bitch when reading the German author, feeling his thoughts penetrating him and filling him with sperm. Is this the kind of stuff a woman-hater says? If we are talking about more than a hundred years ago, probably the vision men had from women was very different. But definitely, yes, this is the kind of things a mad man, as Jesper Kaspers defined him, would say. But Strindberg respected women. And one of the qualities he wanted in a woman was her intellect. He wanted a wife who could make an effort to equal him in intellect. This, however, never happened in his own opinion. However, not reaching Strindberg's level of intelligence had absolutely nothing to do with being a woman. Many male friends gave up their friendship following Strindberg's megalomania. But once again, the key is in the letters. Strindberg's letters amount to several volumes. Among others, he exchanged correspondence with Nietzsche. It is very relevant to read this letter dated in December 1888:

As regards England, I really do not feel in a position to say anything whatever; for, as far as she is concerned, we have to deal with a nation of bigots that has delivered itself up into the hands of its women, and this is tantamount to hopeless decadence. You know, my dear Sir, what morality means in England: Girls High School libraries, Currer Bell, Miss Braddon and the rest; Don t soil your hands with that offal! In the French language you can pierce your way even into the uttermost depths of the negro- world, so you can safely let England s trousered women go to the deuce. Please think the matter over and consider my suggestions and let me hear from you about it as soon as possible.

After this, a woman-hater, yes or no? I would say yes, but not blaming only the writer. Was the society of the time ready for women taking power? Is our society really ready? I would like to think it is but I would also like to see more women in power. However, I believe that women in power have to stop acting like men and give a definitively feminine vision of things. A woman acting like a man is of no use for society, I believe. Maybe that is one of Fröken Julie's mistakes: wanting to take a man's role when what we really need is a woman in the same position. In conclusion, I want to see more women in power but leading as women, not making the same mistakes men make over and over again.