The Parallax View #169: The Death and Rebirth of Europe

In this book, Paglia explores the duality of Western culture through the lens of Apollonian and Dionysian forces. She argues that human nature has an inherently dangerous Dionysian or chthonic aspect, especially in regard to sexuality, and that culture and civilization are attempts to contain this force. The book spans from Nefertiti to Emily Dickinson, analyzing various historical and literary figures and their contributions to the development of sexual personae.

In 'Anti-Oedipus,' Deleuze and Guattari critique the Freudian/Lacanian psychoanalytic model of the ego, particularly the Oedipus complex. They argue that human desire is not rooted in familial relationships but in broader socio-political contexts. The book introduces the concept of 'schizoanalysis,' a method aimed at freeing desire from capitalist and familial repression. It delves into the relationship between capitalism and schizophrenia, suggesting that capitalism exploits and commodifies desires rather than repressing them. The authors propose a radical analysis that synthesizes political economy and psychology, introducing concepts such as desiring-machines, deterritorialization, and the body-without-organs.