Feminism

Abstract

It can be seen through the writings of such feminist writers as Juliet Mitchell, Jacqueline Rose and Luce Irigaray; Sigmund Freud's work on psychoanalysis has offered feminists challenges, revolutionized theories, and patriarchal targets. Specifically, the Oedipus complex locates the very psychical reproduction of patriarchy and explains the structure of sexual roles in Western society. Although Freud had no feminist intent in his writings, feminists have managed to find his work useful. The dilemma facing contemporary feminism, which is identified as post-1995 feminism committed to corporeality and sexual difference, is that psychoanalysis proposes explanations for, but fails to offer solutions for how to break away, from the reproduction of patriarchy and its rigid sexual roles. The goal of contemporary feminism is to break away from the circularity of the Oedipus complex and into new ways of thinking. Anti-Oedipus and A Thousand Plateaus by Gilles Deleuze and Felix Guattari offer different modes of thinking and poignant critiques of psychoanalysis. The feminist uses and interpretations of Deleuze and Guattari by such writers as Elizabeth Grosz, Claire Colebrook and Rosi Braidotti constitute the most useful move beyond the circularity of the Oedipus complex(Some, 1922, 221).

This thesis examines Freud's writings, particularly those centred on the Oedipus complex, using an infusion of an earlier generation of feminist critiques, particularly that of Luce Irigaray. The research focuses on how to live with certain aspects of psychoanalysis such as the Oedipus complex that are harmful for women and it develops new theories that break away from the oedipal triangle. Such critiques and different modalities of thinking can be found in the writings of Deleuze and Guattari. The writings of these feminist authors, and the incorporation Luce Irigaray's work on sexual difference, have helped to dismantle the circularity and dominance of the Oedipus complex by introducing a struggle for new ideas related to thinking of difference and becoming as ways of thinking and living.

Table of Contents

ABSTRACT2

BACKGROUND5

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION9

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW37

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY52

RESEARCH METHOD52

LITERATURE SELECTION CRITERIA52

SEARCH TECHNIQUE52

KEYWORDS USED53

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK53

CHAPTER 4: DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS54

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION67

REFERENCES73

Background

Feminist writings on psychoanalysis boomed during the 1970s and 1980s as will be seen in chapter one through the writings of such authors as Jacqueline Rose, Luce Irigaray, and Juliet Mitchell. What is so interesting about Freud's writings on the Oedipus complex is how they explain the splitting of the sexes and their roles in a phallocentric, patriarchal society. While it is useful to understand the reproduction of this relation, there is still no guidance or answer found to avoiding oedipalization in psychoanalysis.

Deleuze and Guattari published Anti-Oedipus in French in 1972, and it was translated in English in 1983, and A Thousand Plateaus was published in French in 1980 and available in English in 1987, occurring at the same time feminists were writing about Freud and around a time when Jacques Lacan was still a powerful figure in France. This thesis is specifically addressing Freud's writings on psychoanalysis, but it is important to note the influence that Lacan had not only on psychoanalysis, but on ...