Literature, Technology and Magical Thinking, 1880–1920 (Cambridge Studies in Nineteenth-Century Literature and Culture, Series Number 32)

In this 2001 book Pamela Thurschwell examines the intersection of literary culture, the occult and new technology at the fin-de-siècle. Thurschwell argues that technologies began suffusing the public imagination from the mid-nineteenth century on: they seemed to support the claims of spiritualist mediums. Talking to the dead and talking on the phone both held out the promise of previously unimaginable contact between people: both seemed to involve 'magical thinking'. Thurschwell looks at the ways in which psychical research, the scientific study of the occult, is reflected in the writings of such authors as Henry James, George du Maurier and Oscar Wilde, and in the foundations of psychoanalysis. This study offers provocative interpretations of fin-de-siècle literary and scientific culture in relation to psychoanalysis, queer theory and cultural history. In This Book Pamela Thurschwell Examines The Intersection Of Literary Culture, The Occult And New Technology At The Fin-de-siecle. Thurschwell Argues That Technologies Such As The Telegraph And The Telephone Annihilated Distances That Separated Bodies And Minds From Each Other. As These New Technologies Began Suffusing The Public Imagination From The Mid-nineteenth Century On, They Seemed To Support The Claims Of Spiritualist Mediums. Talking To The Dead And Talking On The Phone Both Held Out The Promise Of Previously Unimaginable Contact Between People: Both Seemed To Involve 'magical Thinking'. Thurschwell Looks At The Ways In Which Psychical Research, The Scientific Study Of The Occult, Is Reflected In The Writings Of Such Authors As Henry James, George Du Maurier And Oscar Wilde, And In The Foundations Of Psychoanalysis. This Study Offers New And Provocative Interpretations Of Fin-de-siecle Literary And Scientific Culture In Relation To Psychoanalysis, Queer Theory And Cultural History.--jacket. The Society For Psychical Research's Experiments In Intimacy -- Wilde, Hypnotic Aesthetes And The 1890s -- Henry James's Lives During Wartime -- On The Typewriter, In The Cage, At The Ouija Board -- Freud, Ferenczi And Psychoanalysis's Telepathic Transferences. Pamela Thurschwell. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 180-190) And Index. "In this book Pamela Thurschwell examines the intersection of literary culture, the occult and new technology at the fin-de-siecle. Thurschwell argues that technologies such as the telegraph and the telephone annihilated distances that separated bodies and minds from each other. As these new technologies began suffusing the public imagination from the mid-nineteenth century on, they seemed to support the claims of spiritualist mediums. Talking to the dead and talking on the phone both held out the promise of previously unimaginable contact between people: both seemed to involve 'magical thinking'. Thurschwell looks at the ways in which psychical research, the scientific study of the occult, is reflected in the writings of such authors as Henry James, George Du Maurier and Oscar Wilde, and in the foundations of psychoanalysis. This study offers new and provocative interpretations of fin-de-siecle literary and scientific culture in relation to psychoanalysis, queer theory and cultural history."--BOOK JACKET. Thurschwell examines the intersection of literary culture, the occult and new technology at the fin-de-si?cle. She argues that as new technologies, such as the telegraph and the telephone, began suffusing the public imagination from the mid-nineteenth century on, they seemed to support the claims of spiritualist mediums. Making unexpected connections between, for instance, speaking on the telephone and speaking to the dead, she examines how psychical research is reflected in the work of Henry James, George DuMaurier and Oscar Wilde among others. Thurschwell examines the intersection of literary culture, the occult and new technology at the fin-de-siècle. Making unexpected connections between, for instance, speaking on the telephone and speaking to the dead, she examines how psychical research is reflected in the work of Henry James, George du Maurier and Oscar Wilde among others