Psychoanalysis and the Portrayal of Desire in Twentieth Century Fiction: A Feminist Critique

Kristyn GORDON, Psychoanalysis and the Portrayal of Desire in Twentieth Century Fiction: A Feminist Critique, Lewiston, Mellen Press, 2007, 236 p.ISBN10 0-7734-5559-0  

ISBN13 978-0-7734-5559-7

SUMMARY

This book explores the concept of desire through psychoanalytic theory, namely in the work of Freud and Lacan, in Feminist theory and in contemporary critical theory and literature. Wide ranging in its pursuits, the book examines what Gorton terms ‘critical scenes of desire’ in literary and artistic examples in order to argue that desire, as a concept, allows for moments of production and transformation. Unlike theorisations that situate desire as ‘lack’, Gorton argues that desire can be reconceived as progressive and multiple. She also suggests that there is a desire on the part of the reader or critic which creates a second ‘scene of desire’ in which the reader tries to ‘solve’ the enigma of the text. In other words, there is a tendency on the part of the critic and reader to want to fill in the gaps that desire creates in the narrative. This book does not seek to be comprehensive in its theorisation of the concept of desire, nor does it attempt to offer a history of the concept within cultural theory. Instead, it examines the way we read for desire and argues that the concept of desire can be found in these readings as progressive and transformative. 

CONTENTS

Illustration

Preface by Patricia O’Neill

Acknowledgements

Introduction

1. Lack and Feminism

2. H.D. and Freud

3. Lacan and the Papin Sisters

4. Duras and Desire

5. Deleuze, Guattari and Feminism

Conclusion

Bibliography

Index 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Kristyn Gorton is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Cultural Studies at Leeds Metropolitan University. She received her Ph.D. in English Literature from the University of Edinburgh. Dr. Gorton has published work on Marguerite Duras, Ally McBeal, television and emotion and feminist theory.