I. Facts and myths. Destiny : Biological data ; The psychoanalytical point of view ; The point of view of historical materialism -- History -- Myths : Montherlant or the bread of disgust ; D. H. Lawrence or phallic pride ; Claudel or the handmaiden of the Lord ; Breton or poetry ; Stendhal or romancing the real -- II. Lived experience. Formative years : Childhood ; The girl ; Sexual initiation ; The lesbian -- Situation : The married woman ; The mother ; Social life ; Prostitutes and hetaeras ; From maturity to old age ; Woman's situation and character -- Justifications : The narcissist ; The woman in love ; the mystic -- Toward liberation : The independent woman.