In Defense of Witches by Mona Chollet Summary

In Defense of Witches examines the historical persecution of women as witches and connects these witch hunts to modern gender inequality. Mona Chollet frames the witch as a symbol of female resistance, critiquing societal pressures on women’s autonomy regarding motherhood, aging, and independence. The book argues that misogynistic narratives from the past persist in today’s expectations of femininity.

This book is ideal for feminists, history enthusiasts, and anyone interested in gender studies. It resonates with readers exploring societal critiques of motherhood, aging, or female independence. Those seeking insights into how historical oppression shapes modern misogyny will find it particularly valuable.

Yes—it offers a compelling blend of historical analysis and contemporary feminist discourse. Readers praise its accessible writing, well-researched arguments, and empowering reframing of witchcraft. However, some note its limited focus on white, cisgender experiences.

Chollet reimagines the witch as an emblem of unapologetic female agency, challenging patriarchal norms. She argues that women who reject traditional roles—such as childfree individuals or those prioritizing careers—embody the witch’s rebellious spirit, facing similar societal scrutiny.

Critics highlight its narrow focus on Western, cisgender perspectives and minimal engagement with race or LGBTQ+ issues. Some readers expected more historical witchcraft analysis rather than modern feminist theory.

The book critiques societal idolization of motherhood, arguing it erases women’s individuality. Chollet cites studies on voluntary childlessness and explores how mothering roles perpetuate systemic inequality, urging a reevaluation of caregiving dynamics.

Chollet portrays aging women as targets of invisibility and disdain, paralleling historical witch hunts. She challenges ageist stereotypes, advocating for reverence toward older women’s knowledge and autonomy.

It draws parallels between accusations of witchcraft and contemporary dismissals of women’s health concerns. Chollet highlights how medical systems often pathologize women’s bodies, mirroring past persecution of healers and midwives.

Notable lines include:

• “The witch is a woman who exists entirely for herself.”
• “A woman’s identity is too often defined in relation to others—wife, mother—but a witch belongs only to herself.”

These emphasize self-ownership and resistance to patriarchal labels.

Chollet argues that capitalism commodifies feminism and witchcraft, reducing empowerment to consumer trends like “girlboss” culture. She warns against superficial activism that fails to dismantle systemic oppression.

As a Franco-Swiss feminist journalist, Chollet integrates European witch trial history with modern French feminist discourse. Her work at Le Monde diplomatique informs the book’s intersection of academic rigor and accessible prose.

Complementary reads include Silvia Federici’s Caliban and the Witch for historical analysis and Maryse Condé’s I, Tituba, Black Witch of Salem (cited by Chollet) for intersectional perspectives on witchcraft and race.