Description
Book SynopsisThis unique study of the cult of the Virgin Mary offers a way of thinking about the interrelations of Catholicism and ideas of ideal femininity over the longue duree. An ambitious history of the changing symbolism of the Mother of God, Alone of All Her Sex holds up to the light different emphases occurring at different times, and highlights that the apparent archetype of a magna mater is constantly in play with social and historical conditions and values. Marina Warner''s interesting perspective was forged in the aftermath of significant postwar developments in history, anthropology, and feminism and the book inspired fierce debates when it was first published in 1976. Alone of All Her Sex is also an emotive, personal statement, arising from Warner''s own upbringing as a Catholic. It picks up on classic accounts such as Mary MacCarthy''s Memoirs of a Catholic Girlhood and Antonia White''s Frost in May, as well as the author''s own experiences at a Catholic boarding school. Highly cont
Table of ContentsPART ONE: VIRGIN; PART TWO: QUEEN; PART THREE: BRIDE; PART FOUR: MOTHER; PART FIVE: INTERCESSOR
