Super Short Summary

Memoirs of a Dutiful Daughter is an autobiographical account of Simone de Beauvoir’s early years, detailing her privileged upbringing, intellectual growth, and eventual rejection of religious and societal norms. Born to a well-off family in Paris, de Beauvoir experiences disillusionment with religion and traditional female roles, finds solace in literature, and ultimately attends the Ecole Normale, where she meets future influential figures like Jean-Paul Sartre. The book addresses themes of personal identity, intellectual pursuit, and the conflict between conformity and self-expression. Sensitive topics include discussions around existential crises and the societal pressures on young women.