There are some languages which do not have a word for ‘gender’. These are examples of how gender can be misunderstood and politicised. Gender is a ‘heavy’ word: politicians and public figures often use it with negative connotations, for example in referring to ‘gender police’, or to ideologies that ‘threaten our kids’. Gender is also an important concept within a range of social and political debates and may influence these debates differently according to cultural context.

Gender is an area that cuts across thinking about society, law, politics and culture, and it is frequently discussed in relation to other aspects of identity and social position, such as class, ethnicity, age and physical ability. It is important to be clear about the meanings of such terms. If you ever repeat this story, I will never forgive you for betraying my confidence.Different terms are regularly used in theories of sexuality and gender, for example sex, gender, gender identity, gender expressions, gender roles, sexual orientation. 'In confidence, ( am going to tell you about Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander. The Mother Confessor appraised Abby's eyes a moment, and then held up a cautionary finger. Weapons have no more effect on them than they would have on smoke. They are not living, but created out of magic. They are so called because they are like shadows in the air.

'Well, the war had been bad enough, but then Panis Rahl taught his wizards to conjure shadow people.' The Mother Confessor sighed at the anguish of retelling the story. My father, too, but he has had a chance to live a life. 'How can you say that My husband will die. 'And sometimes,' Abby argued, 'those with magic really are monsters who care nothing for the life they destroy.' She fell to hysterical wailing again, and the Mother Confessor once again drew her into comforting arms. What did it matter, what did any of it matter, now? She could do her worst, for all Abby cared. They had a daughter.'Ībby looked up at the woman in whose arms she lay. We all loved her very much, but not as much as did he. You don't mean what you say.'Īfter Abby remained silent the Mother Confessor began. With a poignant expression, the sorceress smoothed Abby's hair back from her forehead 'You don't understand. She gave Abby a sympathetic smile and a nod to confirm the truth of it. 'I'm from Coney Crossing, I've never heard of such a thing.'Ībby peered up at the sorceress. The Mother Confessor patted the stone step beside her. He was named First Wizard for all these things and more.' Even those other wizards in there, some of them his teachers, don't always understand how he is able to unravel some of the enigmas in the books or how he uses his gift to bring so much power to bear, but we do understand that he has heart. 'Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander may look young to you, as he did to many of us, but he is a special wizard, born of a wizard and a sorceress. Perhaps, since your mother was gifted, you can understand how people sometimes unreasonably fear those with magic?' Some people on our side take that name to heart. We named him the wind of death for others to hear, so as to strike terror into the hearts of the enemy. 'Among ourselves, those of us who really know him call him the trickster, The trickster is the name he has truly earned.

The Mother Confessor smiled a small smile.

Understand deeper synonym