Death-Drive: Freudian Hauntings in Literature and Art (The Frontiers of Theory)

Robert Rowland Smith takes Freud's work on the death-drive and compares it with other philosophies of death - Pascal, Heidegger and Derrida in particular. He also applies it in a new way to literature and art - to Shakespeare, Rothko and Katharina Fritsch, among others. He asks whether artworks are dead or alive, if artistic creativity isn't actually a form of destruction, and whether our ability to be seduced by fine words means we don't put our selves at risk of death. In doing so, he proposes a new theory of aesthetics in which artworks and literary texts have a death-drive of their own, not least by their defining ability to turn away from all that is real, and where the effects of the death-drive mean that we are constantly living in imaginary, rhetorical or 'artistic' worlds. The book also provides a valuable introduction to the rich tradition of work on the death-drive since Freud. Key Features * Includes a general introduction to the death-drive * Presents an original theory of aesthetics * Analyses both theoretical and clinical psychoanalysis * Offers in-depth treatment of Freud * Provides an overview of philosophies of death Robert Rowland Smith Takes Freud's Work On The Death-drive And Compares It With Other Philosophies Of Death - Pascal, Heidegger And Derrida In Particular. He Also Applies It In A New Way To Literature And Art - To Shakespeare, Rothko And Katharina Fritsch, Among Others. He Asks Whether Artworks Are Dead Or Alive, If Artistic Creativity Isn't Actually A Form Of Destruction, And Whether Our Ability To Be Seduced By Fine Words Means We Don't Put Our Selves At Risk Of Death. In Doing So, He Proposes A New Theory Of Aesthetics In Which Artworks And Literary Texts Have A Death-drive Of Their Own, Not Least By Their Defining Ability To Turn Away From All That Is Real, And Where The Effects Of The Death-drive Mean That We Are Constantly Living In Imaginary, Rhetorical Or 'artistic' Worlds. The Book Also Provides A Valuable Introduction To The Rich Tradition Of Work On The Death-drive Since Freud.--pub. Desc. 1. Memento Mori -- 2. The Death-drive Does Not Think -- 3. A Subject Is Being Beaten -- 4. White Over Red -- 5. Literature-repeat Nothing -- 6. A Harmless Suggestion -- 7. The Rest Of Radioactive Light -- Postscript: Approaching Death. Robert Rowland Smith. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. The Frontiers of Theory-Series Editor: Martin McQuillan