Masochism: The Art of Power - Hardcover

by Nick Mansfield (Author)

How does the male masochist provide a metaphor for modern and postmodern power? Through a study of the representations of masochism in literature, psychopathology, philosophy, and cultural theory, Mansfield challenges our fundamental assumptions about masculine power in the postmodern era, arguing that masculine power has become masochistic. In the later twentieth century, the author argues, power presents itself as powerlessness but this deconstruction of traditional masculine authority does not result in a diminution of power. This provocative account traces masochism through the writings of Krafft-Ebing, Sacher-Masoch, Freud, Sartre, Proust, Genet, and Foucault.

Back Jacket

How does the male masochist provide a metaphor for modern and postmodern power? Present orthodoxy understands masculine power as invested in unity, identity, presence and technology. In this provocative work, however, Mansfield challenges our fundamental assumptions about masculine power in the postmodern era. Utilizing representations of masochism in literature, psychopathology, philosophy and cultural theory, the author argues that masculine power can now best be understood as masochistic.

Author Biography

NICK MANSFIELD is Lecturer in English and Cultural Studies at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia. He has studied at the University of Sydney, Columbia University, and Yale University. His articles on literary and cultural studies have appeared in a number of international journals.