In a world surrounded by war, death and atrocities, it sometimes seems like there is no positive place for the characters in Gates of Ivory by Margaret Drabble to turn. In the fog of these ugly images Drabble juxtaposes a unique vision of the world of female reproduction and menstruation that has rarely been revealed in other novels. It shows that menstruation exposes feelings ranging from liberation and emancipation in Alix Bowen, to shame, disgust and grief in Mme. Savet Akrun. Drabble identifies similarities between women on both sides of the world and between reproduction and women fighting the death of world war. Yet, during these difficult times and uncertainties, the women in the novel show their strength and power because they hold the key to keeping humanity alive: reproduction. Alix's outward expressions greatly exemplify what many women in the novel want to be. They want to feel the control Alix shows over her body. Unfortunately for Alix, this feeling isn't true on the inside. Alix carries within her a great deal of uncertainties and insecurities. This feeling of inadequacy began in early childhood. Alix feels the need to be a savior, a protector, and an activist. He wants to do “important” and “worthy” things, but he can never live up to his standards. During childhood, when her pet turtle dies, she is "terrified and after a few days finds the courage to approach the immobile shell". (194). The thought of not being able to help the turtle, or save it, crushed Alix. It shows how vulnerable he is to failure, questions and doubts. If not everything is perfect, Alix's sense of control in a situation disappears. The same feelings possess Alix in her adult life. She constantly strives to improve something, especially women's menstrual protection, but feels confused and scared when she becomes even the slightest bit insecure about it. She says: “I argued that if the tampon had been invented a few thousand years earlier, the whole history of womanhood would have been different. Now I'm not so sure” (156). Alix attests that women's rights, like tampons, are in the “forward march of progress” and are “the liberator of the female gender,” but what this progress and liberation will bring leaves Alix perplexed (155; 156). The fact that there is no plan for exactly how to solve the problem scares Alix.