Description
Book SynopsisA Feminist Mythology takes us on a poetic journey through the canonical myths of femininity, testing them from the point of view of our modern condition. A myth is not an object, but rather a process, one that Chiara Bottici practises by exploring different variants of the myth of womanhood through first- and third-person prose and poetry. We follow a series of myths that morph into each other, disclosing ways of being woman that question inherited patriarchal orders. In this metamorphic world, story-telling is not just a mix of narrative, philosophical dialogues and metaphysical theorizing: it is a current that traverses all of them by overflowing the boundaries it encounters. In doing so,
A Feminist Mythology proposes an alternative writing style that recovers ancient philosophical and literary traditions from the pre-Socratic philosophers and Ovid's
Metamorphoses to the philosophical novellas and feminist experimental writings of the last century.
Trade ReviewA fascinating investigation of the feminine as myth or mythmaking process. By brilliantly exploring, recombining and embroidering different variants of the “womanhood” mythologem, Chiara Bottici’s book succeeds in confronting traditional frames of interpretations in order to provide an “imaginal philosophy” and an “imaginal feminism” constructed as speculative spaces where something new can happen. * Adriana Cavarero, author of "Relating Narratives: Storytelling and Selfhood" *
If Danto warned against the risks of expressive reduction, inherent in the attempt to restrict philosophy to the sole genre of professional paper, Bottici’s A Feminist Mythology has above all the merit of highlighting the strength of a creative narration, which has its roots in her previous philosophical research. * Journal of Comparative Literature and Aesthetics *
Table of ContentsPreface: A Myth And A Half, By Jean-Michel Rabaté Introduction: A Book Of Myths, By Chiara Bottici
Part I. Two Myths And A Half First myth: Sherazade And Her Phantom Second myth: The Dress Of Ariadne Third myth: Europa Recovered Epilogue
Intermission Part II. The City Of Women 1. Overture 2. The Vest 3. Rehab 4. The Oven Of Opposites 5. A Witch And Her Broomstick 6. A Bill 7. The Names 8. The Call, Or Occasional Tourism 9. Maximum Ten (With Addendum) 10. The Lifebelt 11. The Threat Epilogue
Intermission Part III. Bestiarium Prologue 1. The Ostrich 2. The Butterfly 3. The Dog 4. The Snake 5. The Herring Epilogue
Intermission Part IV. Herbarium Prologue The investor
Interlude The inspector
Interlude The dancing god
Grand Finale
