Figures of Resistance: Essays in Feminist Theory

by Teresa de Lauretis, Patricia White (Editor)

The changing face of feminist discourse as reflected by the career of one of its preeminent scholars Figures of Resistance brings together the unpublished lectures and little-seen essays of internationally renowned theorist Teresa de Lauretis, spanning over twenty years of her finest work. Thirty years after the height of feminist theory, this collection invites us to reflect on the history of feminism and take a hard look at where it stands today. Selected essays include "Sexual Indifference and Lesbian Representation," "The Lure of the Mannish Lesbian," "Eccentric Subjects," "Habit Changes," "The Intractability of Desire," and the unpublished article "Figures of Resistance." An introduction from feminist film scholar Patricia White provides an overview of the development of de Lauretis's thought and of feminist theory over past decades.

Genres: Feminism

320 pages, Paperback

First published March 12, 2007

About the author

Born and educated in Italy, de Lauretis came to the United States shortly after completing her doctorate in modern languages and literatures at Bocconi University in Milan. Before joining the History of Consciousness Department at UCSC, she taught Italian and comparative literature, semiotics, women's studies, and film studies at several American universities, including the University of Colorado and the University of Wisconsin. She has also held visiting professorships in Canada, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands, as well as the United States.

The author of seven books and over one hundred essays, de Lauretis writes in both English and Italian. Her works have been translated into 14 other languages of Western and Eastern Europe, Latin America, and Asia.

Reviews

[Elizabeth D · Rating 3 out of 5]

a difficult but rewarding text. I especially liked the essay on feminism and film theory (basically a replay of the socialist realism/avant garde debates in the USSR, but with a reversed chronology!) the 3 star rating is maybe a little harsh (I don’t remember why I was feeling so down when I did the rating lol) but is mostly bc 1) I thought her handling of trans issues where they came up was p clumsy and 2) I’m just fundamentally not convinced by her underlying Freudian framework, tho I respect her commitment to a rigorous intellectual feminism.

[MM · Rating 4 out of 5]

a collection -- she's great.