Vagina dentata

Latin for "toothed vagina".

Often crops up as a sexist projection onto women's bodies of men's fear of women's sexuality. Devouring mothers and all that.

Sometimes appears in fiction as an instance of fantastical biology, or a science-fictional body modification or device.

As a rape deterrent, it rather rests on the presumption that men will have access to women's bodies anyhow, and that they will go far enough for a device located in the vagina to make any difference, thereby circumscribing women's inevitable position as victims.

Examples

Fantasy

• Tanith Lee's "Weasel Bride"

Science-Fiction

• Neal Stephenson's Snow Crash.

External Links

• Wikipedia entry about vagina dentata

[Category:Body themes]]