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The Feminine of Difference

Gilles Deleuze, Hélène Cixous and Contemporary Critique of the Marquis de Sade

by Marta Zajac (Author)
©2002 Thesis 124 Pages
Series: Literary and Cultural Theory, Volume 12

Summary

The work follows the vicissitudes of the concept of difference in contemporary cultural discourse: a shift from the Platonic notion of difference as a pillar of separation to Gilles Deleuze’s notion of pure difference as the ground for communication. Special attention is paid to the relevance of pure difference for gender studies, in particular, as a means of redefining the key relations of mind-body and man-woman. The shape the relations in question assume in patriarchal reality (and the consequent subjugation of the feminine) is presented indirectly, via contemporary readings of the Marquis de Sade, which in large part treat the libertine community as a caricature of patriarchy. On the other hand, the liberating effect of pure difference is traced in the feminine tenor of Gilles Deleuze’s and Hélène Cixous’s reflection on thought and subjectivity, the affinity between these two gender-marked voices being itself of feminine nature. The principal aim of this book is to point out difference-related controversies of gender theory.

Details

Pages
124
Publication Year
2002
ISBN (Softcover)
9783631394595
Language
English
Keywords
Sade, Donatien Alphonse François de Differenz Philosophie Geschlechterrolle Cixous, Hélène Deleuze, Gilles
Published
Frankfurt/M., Berlin, Bern, Bruxelles, New York, Oxford, Wien, 2002. 124 pp.

Biographical notes

Marta Zajac (Author)

The Author: Marta Zając is Senior Lecturer in Literary Theory at the University of Silesia, Poland. She has conducted research at different universities, including Stanford University and the University of Manchester; her publications include numerous articles in the fields of literary and cultural studies.

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Title: The Feminine of Difference