5.5.4: Convergence of Feminist and Psychoanalytic Theories--Insights of the Female Mind
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Often, complex layered themes invite the use of complementary literary analysis, such as Feminist and Psychoanalytic approaches which allow us as readers to study and better understand themes such as the stages of womanhood, from innocence to experience; and female values of independence and self-fulfillment balanced with a mother who consistently and protectively parents her child.
Another significant episode of Demeter’s myths involves her brief affair with Iasion, whom she admired at the wedding of Cadmus and Harmonia. Infused with the nectar from the feast, the two lovers escaped to a “thrice-plowed” field, one quite ready for seeding. Upon their return to the festivities, Zeus observed the mud on the two and deduced their dalliance. Enraged that another deity should touch Demeter (the irony is rich here), he struck Iasion with a thunderbolt, killing the younger Titan. But from their union, Plutus was born and given the duties of abundance. He is often portrayed with a cornucopia. With this designation, we might see the further erosion of the Goddess’s functions as they’re absorbed by male figures. Conversely, this transfer of power could be inferred as the gift of a generous goddess who wisely envisions the best person–regardless of gender–to carry out the life-giving mysteries of the Mother.
The episode further illuminates the complicated space occupied by female deities, like Hera, who were expected to abide by the expectations of gender roles by consenting to–or not violently protesting against–marriage, and the fidelity the institution demanded of them, even though their husbands could have numerous public affairs and produce generations of new gods, heroes and demi-gods who largely exist to further aggrandize their fathers. With the exception of Aphrodite, who as the embodiment of sensuality is thereby expected to be sexually free, goddesses are expected to be docile, if not frustrated, wives.
Demeter, however, expresses her independent will to choose her lovers, such as Zeus and Iasion, without the obligation to marry and constrain her volition. Such freedom in a woman reverses the progress of male rule and serves as an echo of the ancient Goddess who took lovers for pleasure, not just procreation. Thus, her violation by Poseidon could be interpreted as the patriarchal punishment of her choice of Iasion over Zeus, or simply, to enjoy sexual relations as a male god would.