The Monstrous-Feminine: Film, Feminism, Psychoanalysis – Barbara Creed – 1993, University of California Press
What the Book Explores
Barbara Creed’s The Monstrous-Feminine delves into the representation of women as monstrous figures in film and other cultural forms. The work examines how patriarchal anxieties surrounding female sexuality, reproduction, and the maternal body are projected onto female characters, transforming them into figures of abjection and terror. Creed utilizes psychoanalytic theory, particularly the work of Julia Kristeva and Sigmund Freud, to analyze how these monstrous representations function within a cultural context of fear and repression.
Historical / Cultural Context
Published in 1993, The Monstrous-Feminine emerged during a period of robust feminist film theory and psychoanalytic criticism. The book responded to and expanded upon existing debates regarding the representation of women in cinema, moving beyond simple critiques of sexism to explore the deeper psychological and cultural forces at play. It arose alongside second-wave feminist concerns about the objectification and silencing of women, and built upon developing understandings of abjection, the maternal, and the uncanny. The rise of horror as a significant genre for feminist analysis provided fertile ground for Creed’s investigations. The work contributed to a growing body of scholarship examining the intersection of gender, psychoanalysis, and popular culture, specifically focusing on how monstrous representations serve as both expressions and reinforcements of societal anxieties.
Who This Book Is For
This book is primarily intended for an academic audience, particularly those interested in film studies, feminist theory, psychoanalysis, and cultural studies. However, its accessible writing style and compelling analysis of popular films (including works like Alien, Psycho, and The Shining) also make it engaging for readers with a general interest in these topics. Individuals interested in the symbolism of monsters, the psychology of fear, and the cultural construction of gender roles will find this a valuable resource.
Further Reading
- Laura Mulvey, Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema (1975): A foundational text in feminist film theory, exploring the male gaze.
- Julia Kristeva, Powers of Horror (1980): Provides the theoretical framework for understanding abjection, central to Creed’s analysis.
- Carol J. Clover, Men, Women, and Chain Saw Massacre (1992): Explores the gender dynamics of the slasher film.
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