RU307: DRS WALTER "MAC" DAVIS & TODD MCGOWAN ON THE LAST CATHOLIC
Sep 5, 2024
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Walter A. Davis, a Professor Emeritus and noted psychoanalyst, teams up with Todd McGowan, a film theorist, to discuss Davis's new novel 'The Last Catholic.' They explore the transition from academic writing to fiction, delving into creativity and identity. The conversation touches on the transformative power of literature, emphasizing critical reading and personal reflection. They also candidly share their struggles with faith, sexuality, and childhood experiences, linking personal growth to societal themes, ultimately advocating for intellectual and emotional emancipation.
The podcast highlights the transformative journey of the protagonist as he reconnects with literature to explore unresolved philosophical and emotional truths.
Central themes include the conflict between religious dogma and personal identity, particularly around issues of sexuality and guilt.
Blending autobiographical elements with fiction allows for deeper psychological insights, addressing universal struggles associated with identity and societal constructs.
Deep dives
The Shift from Theory to Fiction
The speaker discusses the transition from writing theoretical and philosophical texts to creating a novel, expressing a desire to reconnect with a form of writing initially abandoned due to a lack of courage. This shift is framed as an exploration of deeply personal experiences that were inadequately addressed in previous works. The speaker reflects on a longstanding philosophical concern regarding the relationship between philosophy and poetry, indicating that the novel serves as a medium to grapple with this tension. By revisiting this creative avenue later in life, the speaker aims to understand complex emotions and ideas that remained unresolved during earlier academic endeavors.
Intellectual Journey of the Protagonist
The novel details the protagonist's journey toward intellectual and personal awakening, beginning in childhood and transitioning into his college years. It illustrates the transformative power of reading and engages the reader in understanding the significance of thought as an act of creation. The protagonist's academic experiences are intertwined with the exploration of pivotal philosophical ideas, particularly reflections on thinkers like Pascal and Dostoevsky. Through this narrative, the novel emphasizes the importance of cultivating a profound relationship with literature, suggesting that meaningful engagement with texts can lead to deeper self-awareness.
Confronting Religious Dogma and Guilt
Central to the narrative is the protagonist's struggle against the religious dogma imposed during his upbringing, which creates an ongoing conflict regarding sexuality and guilt. The portrayal of his relationship with his mother highlights the complexities of emotional attachment, as her expectations intertwine with his personal quest for identity. As the protagonist navigates his sexual experiences, he grapples with the shame instilled by religious teachings and societal norms, leading to a profound personal inquiry. This conflict serves as a backdrop for exploring themes of liberation and self-acceptance within the framework of a deeply flawed religious context.
Autobiographical Elements and Fiction
While the novel is rooted in autobiographical elements, it transcends mere memoir by weaving fiction with lived experiences, which can elicit deeper psychological truths. The author expresses a belief that the narrative's fabric captures more essential realities than straightforward recollection, allowing for complex character portrayals and emotional depth. This interplay between fact and fiction invites readers to connect with universal themes of identity and existential struggle, as well as the psychological impacts of upbringing. The text thus becomes a vessel for exploring not only personal history but also the broader societal constructs shaping individual experiences.
Exploration of Sexuality and Intimacy
The narrative examines the challenges of understanding sexuality amidst religious and familial constraints, presenting it as a journey toward personal freedom. As the protagonist strives to unearth genuine intimacy, the text critiques societal expectations around sex, advocating for a deeper comprehension of the emotional landscape that accompanies sexual experiences. The author argues that intimacy extends beyond the physical act of sex, encompassing meaningful connections that foster understanding and acceptance of the self. This exploration also includes a critique of reductionist views on sexuality within religious frameworks, underscoring the need to reclaim the sanctity and complexity of human intimacy.
RU307: WALTER DAVIS & TODD MCGOWAN ON THE LAST CATHOLIC http://www.renderingunconscious.org/psychoanalysis/ru307-walter-davis-todd-mcgowan-on-the-last-catholic/
Rendering Unconscious episode 307.
Professor Emeritus Walter A. Davis, Ohio State University, is an actor and playwright, as well as psychoanalyst and theoretician. His many books include Art and Politics: Psychoanalysis, Ideology, Theatre (2007) and Inwardness and Existence: Subjectivity in/and Hegel, Heidegger, Marx, and Freud (1989). His newest book is The Last Catholic: A Novel (2024). https://amzn.to/4cS2Dxc
Dr. Davis contributed a chapter on the film Persona to the collection Psychoanalytic Perspectives on the Films of Ingmar Bergman: From Freud to Lacan and Beyond (2023) edited by Vanessa Sinclair. https://amzn.to/4f7sgeO
Professor Todd McGowan teaches theory and film at the University of Vermont. He is the author of many books, including Emancipation after Hegel: Achieving a Contradictory Revolution (2019) and The Impossible David Lynch (2007). His most recent book is Embracing Alienation: Why We Shouldn’t Try to Find Ourselves (2024). https://amzn.to/3zMztkf
Watch this episode at YouTube: https://youtu.be/hHsYabmTDV0?si=0fOHrdgyTYFZeu2X
Rendering Unconscious Podcast received the 2023 Gradiva Award for Digital Media from the National Association for the Advancement for Psychoanalysis (NAAP). https://naap.org/2023-gradiva-award-winners/
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