ABSTRACT

The `riddle of femininity', like Freud's reference to women's sexuality as a `dark continent', has been treated as a romantic aside or a sexist evasion, rather than a problem to be solved. In this first comprehensive study, Teresa Brennan suggests that by placing these theories in the context of Freud's work overall, we will begin to understand why femininity was such a riddle for Freud.

chapter Chapter 1|36 pages

The riddle of femininity

chapter Chapter 2|46 pages

The riddle's repression

chapter Chapter 3|52 pages

The division of attention

chapter Chapter 4|43 pages

The involution of the drives

chapter Chapter 5|38 pages

The original superego

chapter Chapter 6|25 pages

Conclusion: the riddle again