The disillusioned existentialist era: Simone de Beauvoir and Pius XII in conversation

This is a continuation of a series about ideas, values and attitudes. It follows the previously published essays: ‘Passionately for Peace: Virginia Woolf and Benedict XV in Conversation’ (AEJT Issue 2) and ‘In the Age of Dictators: Edith Stein and Pius XI in Conversation’ (AEJT Issue 3). It is designed to bring together women and men in conversation in an atmosphere of mutual interest and respect. It brings together feminism and the Catholic tradition.

The structure adopted for this work is the literary device of the dinner party and two fictional friends, Monica and Catherine, are involved with the author in the project. The conversation of Simone de Beauvoir and Pius XII is based on their writings, with only the necessary adaptation to the dinner party situation. It focuses on religion and the Church before moving on to the problem of the Virgin Mary; the relationship between woman and man; marriage, motherhood and the family; sexuality and chastity; abortion; and World War II.