Feminist Readings of Antigone (SUNY series in Gender Theory)

Feminist Readings of Antigone collects the most interesting and provocative feminist work on the figure of Antigone, in particular looking at how she can figure into contemporary debates on the role of women in society. Contributors focus on female subjectivity and sexuality, feminist ethics and politics, questions of race and gender, psychoanalytic theory, kinship, embodiment, and tensions between the private and the public. This collection seeks to explore and spark debate about why Antigone has become such an important figure for feminist thinkers of our time, what we can learn from her, whether a feminist politics turning to this ancient heroine can be progressive or is bound to idealize the past, and why Antigone keeps entering the stage in times of political crisis and struggle in all corners of the world. Fanny Söderbäck has gathered classic work in this field alongside newly written pieces by some of the most important voices in contemporary feminist philosophy. The volume includes essays by Judith Butler, Adriana Cavarero, Tina Chanter, Luce Irigaray, and Julia Kristeva. Feminist Readings of Antigone collects the most interesting and provocative feminist work on the figure of Antigone, in particular looking at how she can figure into contemporary debates on the role of women in society. Contributors focus on female subjectivity and sexuality, feminist ethics and politics, questions of race and gender, psychoanalytic theory, kinship, embodiment, and tensions between the private and the public. This collection seeks to explore and spark debate about why Antigone has become such an important figure for feminist thinkers of our time, what we can learn from her, whether a feminist politics turning to this ancient heroine can be progressive or is bound to idealize the past, and why Antigone keeps entering the stage in times of political crisis and struggle in all corners of the world. Fanny Söderbäck has gathered classic work in this field alongside newly written pieces by some of the most important voices in contemporary feminist philosophy. The volume includes essays by Judith Butler, Adriana Cavarero, Tina Chanter, Luce Irigaray, and Julia Kristeva. See all Editorial Reviews Feminist Readings of Antigone collects the most interesting and provocative feminist work on the figure of Antigone, in particular looking at how she can figure into contemporary debates on the role of women in society. Contributors focus on female subjectivity and sexuality, feminist ethics and politics, questions of race and gender, psychoanalytic theory, kinship, embodiment, and tensions between the private and the public. This collection seeks to explore and spark debate about why Antigone has become such an important figure for feminist thinkers of our time, what we can learn from her, whether a feminist politics turning to this ancient heroine can be progressive or is bound to idealize the past, and why Antigone keeps entering the stage in times of political crisis and struggle in all corners of the world. Fanny Soderback has gathered classic work in this field alongside newly written pieces by some of the most important voices in contemporary feminist philosophy. The volume includes essays by Judith Butler, Adriana Cavarero, Tina Chanter, Luce Irigaray, and Julia Kristeva. Introduction: Why Antigone Today? 1 Fanny Söderbäck Prologue: Nomadic Antigone 15 Moira Fradinger I. Between Past and Future: Feminist Politics in the Private and Public Realms 1. After Antigone: Women, the Past, and the Future of Feminist Political Thought 27 Catherine A. Holland 2. On the Body of Antigone 45 Adriana Cavarero 3. Impossible Mourning: Sophocles Reversed 65 Fanny Söderbäck 4. The Performative Politics and Rebirth of Antigone in Ancient Greece and Modern South Africa 83 Tina Chanter 5. The Eternal Irony of the Community 99 Luce Irigaray 6. “the celestial Antigone, the most resplendent figure ever to have appeared on earth”: Hegel’s Feminism 111 J. M. Bernstein II. Incestuous Desire: Sexuality, Kinship, and Psychoanalytical Approaches 7. Promiscuous Obedience 133 Judith Butler 8. Antigone’s Line 155 Mary Beth Mader 9. Beyond Pleasure: The Other History of Sexuality 173 Cecilia Sjöholm 10. Transgressing With-In-To the Feminine 195 Bracha L. Ettinger 11. Antigone: Limit and Horizon 215 Julia Kristeva Bibliography 231 Introduction: Why Antigone Today? / Fanny Söderbäck -- Prologue: Nomadic Antigone / Moira Fradinger -- After Antigone: Women, The Past, And The Future Of Feminist Political Thought / Catherine A. Holland -- On The Body Of Antigone / Adriana Cavarero -- Impossible Mourning: Sophocles Reversed / Fanny Söderbäck -- The Performative Politics And Rebirth Of Antigone In Ancient Greece And Modern South Africa / Tina Chanter -- The Eternal Irony Of The Community / Luce Irigaray -- The Celestial Antigone, The Most Resplendent Figure Ever To Have Appeared On Earth: Hegel's Feminism / J.m. Bernstein -- Promiscuous Obedience / Judith Butler -- Antigone's Line / Mary Beth Mader -- Beyond Pleasure: The Other History Of Sexuality / Cecilia Sjöholm -- Transgressing With-in-to The Feminine / Bracha L. Ettinger -- Antigone: Limit And Horizon / Julia Kristeva. Edited By Fanny Söderbäck. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.