Meaning: This quote by Emma Goldman, a prominent anarchist and feminist activist, addresses the complex issue of women's emancipation and the limitations of external liberation. Goldman argues that while women have made strides in achieving external freedom and autonomy from traditional gender roles, this progress has ultimately resulted in the creation of an artificial and constrained version of womanhood. She suggests that true freedom for women can only be attained by emancipating themselves from the very systems of emancipation that have been imposed upon them.

Goldman's assertion that "Merely external emancipation has made of the modern woman an artificial being" reflects her belief that the focus on achieving superficial rights and freedoms without addressing the underlying social, cultural, and economic structures that perpetuate gender inequality has led to a shallow and incomplete form of liberation for women. In other words, the emphasis on gaining legal rights, access to education, and participation in the workforce has not necessarily translated into genuine empowerment and agency for women. Instead, it has contributed to the construction of a limited and artificial identity for women that is defined by societal expectations and norms.

The phrase "Now, woman is confronted with the necessity of emancipating herself from emancipation, if she really desires to be free" encapsulates Goldman's call for women to critically examine the nature of their liberation and to actively challenge and transcend the constraints of external emancipation. She argues that women must go beyond the prescribed pathways of liberation and engage in a process of self-emancipation that involves questioning and resisting the existing power structures and gendered ideologies that continue to shape their lives. This process of self-emancipation requires women to reclaim their autonomy, redefine their identities on their own terms, and strive for a more profound and authentic form of freedom.

Goldman's perspective on women's emancipation is deeply rooted in her anarchist beliefs, which advocate for the dismantling of oppressive hierarchies and the establishment of a society based on voluntary cooperation, mutual aid, and individual freedom. From this anarchist feminist standpoint, external emancipation alone is insufficient in challenging the underlying power dynamics and societal norms that perpetuate gender oppression. True liberation for women necessitates a radical reimagining of social relations, gender roles, and systems of domination.

In contemporary contexts, Goldman's insights continue to resonate as feminist movements grapple with the complexities of women's emancipation in a world marked by ongoing gender inequality, systemic discrimination, and patriarchal structures. Her emphasis on the need for women to emancipate themselves from the constraints of external liberation serves as a reminder that the struggle for gender justice and equality extends beyond legal and formal rights to encompass broader social, cultural, and economic transformations.

In conclusion, Emma Goldman's quote underscores the limitations of external emancipation in achieving genuine freedom for women and calls for a deeper, self-directed process of emancipation that challenges the artificial constructs and constraints imposed on women. It prompts us to reflect on the nature of women's liberation and to recognize the ongoing relevance of her anarchist feminist perspective in the pursuit of gender equality and social transformation.