“Long before history began we men have got together apart from the women and done things. We had time.”
Image credits：Aronsyne,”Lewis, age 48″,CC BY-SA 4.0,C.S.-Lewis – C. S. Lewis – Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- November 29, 1898 – November 22, 1963
- Born in Ireland
- Writer, scholar
- Had a major influence on fantasy literature and religious thought through his many works, including the Chronicles of Narnia series and The Poetics of Christianity
Quote
“Long before history began we men have got together apart from the women and done things. We had time.”
Explanation
In this quote, C. S. Lewis offers a reflection on the early, primitive social structures of humanity, suggesting that men historically gathered and engaged in activities separate from women. This observation is not necessarily a critique of gender roles but rather a statement about the social dynamics that, according to Lewis, have been present for much of human history. He then points out that in these male gatherings, time played a crucial role—implying that men had the luxury or opportunity to engage in activities that were separate from the everyday responsibilities that often occupied women, like child-rearing and maintaining the home. The quote suggests that historical gender divisions allowed men certain freedoms, including more leisure or space for creativity, which were often not as accessible to women in traditional societies.
Lewis’s perspective can be understood in the context of his own time—the mid-20th century—when gender roles were still sharply divided, and the cultural expectations for men and women were quite distinct. He was not necessarily endorsing these divisions but acknowledging them as part of the historical context in which men had the time and space to focus on things like intellectual pursuits, adventure, or warfare. This reflection could be seen as a critique of traditional gender roles or as an exploration of how societal structures shaped the opportunities available to men and women.
In the modern context, this quote invites a reflection on how society continues to divide the roles and responsibilities of men and women, especially in terms of time and opportunity. With the ongoing progress toward gender equality, many aspects of the historical social divide Lewis refers to are being reevaluated. Women today are increasingly able to pursue careers, engage in intellectual activities, and participate in broader societal events that were once reserved for men. Lewis’s words serve as a reminder of how societal structures historically constrained or shaped human potential, and how we might continue to work toward a more equitable distribution of time and opportunity for all.
