Cixous introduces the idea that flying is metaphorical for a woman's aquisition of her own voice. By using the French word for the verb fly, "voler," Cixous adds a second dimension to this idea. This is because "voler" not only means "to flt," but it also means "to steal." By using "voler" Cixous suggests that if women are ever going to be able to fly and soar, they must first "steal" back from men their right to speak.