The Second Sex is an essay which analyzes the role of women within society. To do so, it examines the ideas of Subject and Other, noting that throughout history, man has existed as the Subject, while woman is the Other. This theme of permanent alterity serves as the foundation upon which Simone de Beauvoir is able to deconstruct gender relations within society. Her analysis of gender also greatly intersects with ideas of race, labor, sexuality, and religion. In her conclusion, she expresses a desire for men and women to exist as "brothers," understanding one another as equals. She also famously discusses idea that one is not born woman, but becomes her, implying that gender is something placed upon a human and therefore not inherent to them.