Entitled Opinions (about Life and Literature)
Women and Madness
Oct 19, 2023
Dr. Maria Massucco discusses women's trauma in modern & contemporary Italy, exploring the evolution of the mad woman in literature, the portrayal of madness and violence in battle, the influence of feminist scholarship, the relationship between opera and madness, the therapeutic power of literature, and the works of Goliarda Sapienza and contemporary Italian cinema.
42:34
Episode guests
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Ancient archetypes of crazed women continue to influence our understanding of madness in women, with a shift from rage to depression in modern literature.
- Freud's analysis of female hysteria shifted from attributing it to sexual abuse to placing it in the realm of fantasy and the unconscious, possibly influenced by societal pressures.
Deep dives
Women in Madness in Literature
The podcast episode explores the topic of women in madness, specifically in literature. The speaker discusses how ancient archetypes of crazed women, such as the medias, medusas, furies, harpies, and maenads, continue to influence our understanding of madness in women. The speaker highlights the distinction between the rage-filled, violent representation of madness in ancient times and the more haunted, depressive version in modern literature. The podcast also delves into the influence of patriarchy on the portrayal of madness in women and how it has shaped societal perceptions. The discussion acknowledges the impact of gender and trauma on the manifestation of madness in both women and men.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
