Final answer:
When Biss quotes her sister as saying 'You don't own your own body,' she means that our bodies are subject to external influences and pressures. Individuals don't have complete control over their bodies and actions. This idea is explored in works like 'The Second Sex' and 'The Awakening'.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Biss quotes her sister as saying, 'You don't own your own body,' she means that individuals do not have complete control over their bodies and their actions. This statement suggests that societal, familial, and cultural expectations and limitations can influence how we perceive and treat our bodies. It implies that our bodies are not wholly ours, but are subject to external influences and pressures.
For example, in the context of gender, Simone de Beauvoir argued in her book 'The Second Sex' that gender is not something one is born with but rather something one becomes through societal and cultural constructs. Similarly, in works like 'The Awakening' by Kate Chopin, the protagonist challenges societal expectations placed on women's bodies and behavior, asserting her individuality and autonomy.
By saying 'You don't own your own body,' Biss's sister raises the idea that our bodies are not solely personal possessions but are interconnected with social and cultural forces that shape our identities and actions.