What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Man Made World
Charlotte Perkins Gilman · Book · 2016
If you loved The Man Made World, start with The World According to Garp (George Roy Hill, 1982) — a film on the same thread. Below: 4 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Man Made World across media.
You appreciate how The Man Made World dissects the structural constraints placed upon women and the radical potential of breaking free.
Films on the same thread
The World According to Garp
George Roy Hill · Film · 1982
Explores: Feminism, Family Dynamics, Loss and Grief.
Much like the societal critique found in The Man Made World, this film explores the push and pull of radical feminist influence against traditional family dynamics and cultural expectations.
Wonder Woman
Patty Jenkins · Film · 2017
Explores: Fish Out of Water, Clash of Cultures, Idealism vs. Cynicism.
If you valued the call for female independence in The Man Made World, you will appreciate this journey of a woman transcending patriarchal limitations to reshape human history.
The Invisible Man
James Whale · Film · 1933
Explores: Scientific Hubris, Loss of Identity, Dangers of Experimentation.
While this story focuses on scientific hubris, it echoes the analytical intensity found in The Man Made World regarding how men define their influence over the natural world.
Gaslight
George Cukor · Film · 1944
Explores: Gaslighting, Female Madness, Marital Manipulation.
This psychological thriller mirrors the domestic claustrophobia Charlotte Perkins Gilman explored in The Man Made World, highlighting the devastating consequences of systemic manipulation within a marriage.
Series on the same thread
The Handmaid's Tale
Bruce Miller · Series · 2017
Explores: Oppression, Totalitarianism, Religious Extremism.
This dystopian narrative serves as a stark warning about the loss of agency, directly reflecting the fears regarding gender roles that Charlotte Perkins Gilman addressed in The Man Made World.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Amy Sherman-Palladino · Series · 2017
Explores: Self-Discovery, Female Empowerment, Breaking Societal Norms.
Miriam Maisel’s journey toward self-actualization mirrors the core philosophy of The Man Made World, where women must seize their own abilities to define their place in society.
Westworld
Jonathan Nolan · Series · 2016
Explores: Artificial Intelligence, Existentialism, Free Will vs. Determinism.
This exploration of consciousness and societal design challenges the status quo in ways that parallel the provocative social reform theories presented in The Man Made World.
The Man in the High Castle
Frank Spotnitz · Series · 2015
Explores: Totalitarianism, Resistance, Moral Ambiguity.
This alternate history forces a confrontation with oppressive power structures, echoing the desire for a fundamental shift in societal organization that characterizes The Man Made World.
Podcasts on the same thread
Call Her Daddy
Alex Cooper · Podcast · 2026
Explores: female empowerment, sexual autonomy, brutal honesty.
Just as The Man Made World advocated for female autonomy, this podcast provides a modern platform for women to reclaim their voices and challenge conventional relationship norms.
The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe
The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe · Podcast · 2026
Explores: untold historical anecdotes, curiosity-driven learning, American cultural history.
Like the intellectual curiosity that drives The Man Made World, these biographical stories illuminate the obscure history behind cultural norms, encouraging you to question established societal narratives.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Man Made World a work of fiction?
The Man Made World is not a work of fiction. It is a classic piece of feminist theory written by Charlotte Perkins Gilman in 1914. The text focuses on sociological arguments regarding female independence and the importance of women utilizing their abilities for the benefit of society.
What is the primary argument presented in The Man Made World?
The Man Made World asserts that women should achieve full independence. Charlotte Perkins Gilman argues that women ought to utilize their personal abilities both for their own satisfaction and for the broader benefit of society, challenging the social norms established by a male-dominated world.
Who is the author of The Man Made World?
The Man Made World was written by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. She was a prominent American feminist, sociologist, novelist, poet, and lecturer of social reform. Her diverse body of work includes short stories, poetry, and nonfiction, all reflecting her commitment to feminist theory and social change.
Does The Man Made World cover social reform?
Yes, The Man Made World is deeply rooted in social reform. As a lecturer of social reform and a sociologist, Charlotte Perkins Gilman used this text to advocate for female independence. She believed that women fully participating in society was essential for structural social progress.