In addition to being one of the most prolific wits of the twentieth century, Rebecca West was one of the most consistent. Here’s what she wrote about feminism in 1913:
“I myself have never been able to find out precisely what feminism is: I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a doormat or a prostitute.”
And here are her thoughts on the subject in 1970:
“There is, of course, no reason for the existence of the male sex except that sometimes one needs help with moving the piano.”
She needed that piano for the music, as per the quip that illustrator Anjali Chandrashekar chose to illustrate for September’s Riposte Card.
Anjali is an Indian cartoonist and illustrator based in New York, and I commissioned her based on seeing this single cartoon of hers in The New Yorker:
And here are Anjali’s answers to the traditional Ripostal Questionnaire:
What's your go-to item in a well-stocked stationery store?
I love MUJI pens and buy too many of them. Also, nice notebooks, but if they’re too nice, I’ll never use them.
Where do you go for inspiration and/or information?
NYC! Although there is plenty of inspiration everywhere if you look close enough. I love to people-watch and observe their quirks. I surround myself with funny people, and that makes for entertaining interactions. I also rely heavily on all types of podcasts to help me keep abreast of what is happening in the world.
Is there one joke, witticism, or aphorism you live by?
“Imagination is more important than knowledge.” – Albert Einstein.
What’s the best thing to put on toast?
Avocado? Eggs? Lately, I've enjoyed whipped ricotta with honey/berries.
What work are you most proud of, and how can people support it?
That’s a hard one. I am particularly proud of my first New Yorker cartoon (The Fitted Sheet) since it is SO hard to land a cartoon in print. I currently sell prints of my illustrations and soon my cartoons. They can be found on my website — anjalic.com