Postmodern Encounter Series -- Lacan and Postfeminism

Author: [British] Elizabeth Wright / Wang Wenhua
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-03-01
Features: What is a woman? This question will never have only one answer: Woman is not a fixed reality, and the female body is the place where she continuously pursues possibilities. To "become a woman" does not mean the opposition between biological sex and gender, but rather lies in the way women utilize their freedom. Lacan's feminist thought is the pinnacle of feminist ideology, but it is also the end of feminism. Where is feminism heading? Currently, it seems to still be a mystery. From another perspective, Lacan's views are entirely based on the patriarchal center of society and culture. Therefore, all crises are actually crises of the patriarchal center of society, culture, and history. Jacques Lacan, known as the "French Freud," is a key figure in postmodern psychoanalysis. The critical evaluation of him is highly divided, with some fiercely attacking him and others praising him immensely, calling him the most original psychoanalytic theorist after Freud. "Postfeminism" is also a highly controversial term. Its meaning can either refer to a backlash by the mass media against the traditional feminist struggle for gender equality, or it can refer to a completely different kind of feminism, where feminism makes a significant positioning for itself in response to persistent patriarchy and the tendency for women to be marginalized. Both Lacan and postfeminism are often misunderstood, but what else do they have in common besides this? The central issue of this question is the "identity" issue. Lacan strongly opposes the view that gender identity is determined by biology, arguing that gender identity has a "transactional" nature and is completely unaffected by biological nature. Therefore, the key lies in how feminism can fully utilize affirmative identity. In this regard, Lacan is a crucial figure because he not only establishes an impeccable position for women but also, while critiquing affirmative gender identity, does not completely eliminate or deconstruct affirmative gender identity itself. The authors of this book, Elizabeth Wright, hope to clearly elaborate on this process under the guidance of Lacan's thought.