Make Her Beg

If this argument is accepted, it is clear that the modern Women's Liberation movement is something new, not just a continuation of the age-old war between the sexes. It is also clear why the latter-day Feminists feel that they must work as a group to accomplish their aims—and why wise men will take the movement seriously. It does not mean, of course, that individual women will not continue to have their own individual battles to fight, in spite of whatever success they may have as a group. “Make Her Beg” by Lee de Pepys is the story of one such battle.

The heroine is Lucretia Slade, a determined Liberationist and a full college professor, who is fighting for tenure. (Ordinarily, no professor would be granted tenure as early in his or her career as Ms. Slade is at the time of the action, but it is part of her character to want it and struggle for it openly.) The problems opposing her are great, and perhaps even insurmountable—and added to them, for reasons that at first seem rather arbitrary and whimsical, is an implacable and very definitely male enemy, Professor Horatio Wedge.