[...] Therefore, the baby tries to replace his/her sucking in a mother direction in other words, the mother gets displaces. In the theory of Freud the female sex is incomplete. She is the castrate of the real sex, the man. ``...the little girl is first a little boy, actively desiring her mother in the preoedipal period. When she recognize her lack- the penis she must have to gain her mother’s love- she turns with hostility from her mother, represses her inappropriately phallic desire, takes her father as love object and i s thrust into the feminine position (Bernheimer 1 , p.28.)``. How can be a girl be a boy? (I will come back to this question later) But how could girls in Freud’s society figure out that they are incomplete? Where could they see naked kids or adults? Would t hey not more likely see the father as uncompleted, which has no obvious sex organs, missing the breathed? Or was his society not as bluestocking as history use to tell us and Focault, with his believe about the un-prude bourgeoisie society is right? Freud impute all women a desire for a penis. Out of this penis envy the girl rejects her mother and turns to the father. This includes the rescue of the girl from her homosexuality. The original desire is displaced. Also, the desire after the nipple has to be transferred. Again, this displacement, in the theory of Freud, occurs in different ways not directly related to the cause. As result, the mother gets not only associate with a passive loss, out of stopping breathed feeding; also the mother gets active rejected, out of her incompleteness. That means, in early childhood, the mother gets twice related with negative associations and experiences. In Dora`s case 2 , Freud does not only diagnosis a hysteria out of the cause of displacement, he also diagnosis bisexuality. The 19 years old Dora lives with her patents in one house. The mother seems to play a minor role in Doras life.[...]
Table of Contents
1. Introduction to Freud and Displacement
2. The Theory of the Female Incomplete Sex
3. Analysis of Dora's Case and Hysteria
4. Compensation versus Displacement in Postmodern Society
5. Judith Butler’s Critique of Gender Formation
6. Power, Law, and the Discourse of Homosexuality
7. Conclusion: Therapy versus Discourse
Research Objectives and Core Themes
This essay explores the psychoanalytic concept of displacement within the works of Sigmund Freud, particularly in his analysis of Dora, and contrasts these views with Judith Butler’s theories on gender performativity and the social construction of sexuality.
- The psychological mechanisms of displacement and desire in Freud’s clinical practice.
- Critique of the "Heterosexual Matrix" and the pathologization of homosexuality.
- The role of societal law and discourse in shaping gender and individual identity.
- A comparison between psychoanalytic therapy and Foucault’s concept of open discourse.
Excerpt from the Book
Freud’s Displacement In Dora`s Case And Judith Butler’s ``Gender Trouble``
In this essay it will be showed how Freud interpreters displacement in one of his cases. Further, he sees homosexuality as pathological. With that, he stands in contrast with Butler as this essay will show. What is displacement? Displacement is if one thing displaces another, it forces the other thing out of its place, position or role, and than occupies that place, position or role itself. Freud mainly sees desires and emotions displaced.
For Freud displacement is elementary in human life and result out of the experiences of loss and unfulfilled desire. The infant learns in the first moment of life that his/er desires will not always be fulfilled. S/he learns that desire has to be controlled and suppressed. Emotions and desires can not be felt in an original way. They are depressed by cultural customs and get transferred or displaced. This displacement can occur in ways, which are not related to the cause on the first and obvious spot. For example, the experience of being let alone as toddler, without the possibility to reach the mother gets displaced in biting fingernails. The anger about the loss, about the other gets transformed in auto-aggression.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction to Freud and Displacement: Defines displacement as a psychological mechanism and outlines the author's intent to contrast Freudian interpretations with Butler’s theories.
2. The Theory of the Female Incomplete Sex: Examines Freud’s view on female incompleteness and penis envy as driving forces for the rejection of the mother.
3. Analysis of Dora's Case and Hysteria: Analyzes the specific clinical case of Dora, focusing on how her disgust and behaviors were interpreted by Freud through the lens of hysteria.
4. Compensation versus Displacement in Postmodern Society: Uses Susan Bordo’s work to distinguish between conscious compensation (such as plastic surgery) and unconscious displacement.
5. Judith Butler’s Critique of Gender Formation: Discusses Butler’s argument regarding how gender is fixed through societal naming and the internalization of the incest taboo.
6. Power, Law, and the Discourse of Homosexuality: Explores how legal and social structures produce heterosexuality and repress alternative sexual discourses.
7. Conclusion: Therapy versus Discourse: Compares the power dynamics of Freudian psychoanalysis with Foucault’s preference for open, dialectical discourse.
Keywords
Displacement, Freud, Judith Butler, Gender Trouble, Hysteria, Psychoanalysis, Sexuality, Homosexuality, Heterosexual Matrix, Incest Taboo, Discourse, Power, Identity, Melancholia, Feminism
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this essay?
The essay examines the concept of displacement as defined by Freud and subjects it to a critical analysis using Judith Butler’s theories on gender and Foucault’s concepts of discourse and power.
What is the central research objective?
The objective is to challenge the Freudian notion that homosexuality is a pathological displacement, framing it instead as a construct of social practice and the "Heterosexual Matrix."
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The work utilizes a theoretical, comparative, and discourse-analytical methodology, drawing upon psychological case studies and philosophical critiques.
What are the key thematic areas?
The thematic areas include psychoanalytic theory, the construction of gender roles, the influence of social and legal norms on desire, and the ethics of therapeutic practice.
What does the main body cover?
The main body covers Freud's analysis of Dora, the role of displacement in early childhood development, the contrast between compensation and displacement in modern beauty culture, and Butler's critique of gender formation.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Key terms include displacement, gender, sexuality, heteronormativity, psychoanalysis, and discourse analysis.
How does the author interpret Dora's disgust?
The author interprets Dora's reaction to being kissed not merely as an "ill" hysteria, but as a potential physiological response or compensation for anxieties related to the societal pressures of the time.
Why does the author critique Freud's therapy?
The author argues that Freud's psychoanalysis creates an unequal power relationship where the therapist holds the authority to define what is "normal" or "pathological" in the patient's psyche.
How does Foucault influence the argument?
Foucault is used to argue that the law is a productive force that shapes how we speak about and experience desire, rather than just a restrictive mechanism.
- Quote paper
- Wiebke Bötefür (Author), 2000, Freud's Displacement In Dora`s Case And Judith Butler's ``Gender Trouble``, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/103353
