In most scientific papers, female sexuality is represented from the point of view of physiology. In "History of Sexuality", Michel Foucault introduces the term "superknowledge of sexuality," stating that this notion "is not developed at the level of the individual, but at the level of culture and society." According to Foucault, the knowledge of contemporary society of sexuality coexists with the inability to realize our own sexuality. Knowledge of sexuality is rather theoretical, philosophical, analytical, but not personal.We will explore the nuances of female sexuality in the works of classics, as well as in some modern works. Even in the biblical scripture of the creation of the woman and of the original sin, Eve is present, tempting and challenging. She provokes Adam to pick up the forbidden fruit. She is chosen to commit the Fall. She gives in to the temptation. She persuades Adam to taste the fruit of the tree.How does a woman express her sexuality, is she equal in dignity to a man, is only she subject to sin, is she submissive to the man, is not she stronger than him with her emotionality?We will look for answers to these questions in Otto Weinginger's "Gender and Character", who tragically interrupted his life at the age of 23. His different views on the character of the woman, the absolute superiority of the man, her role as a pimp, are later developed or refuted in various literary and scientific works.Female sexuality is expressed in a different way. A woman is fragile, timid, even innocent in the literary works of the Marquis de Sade, but her fate is fatal. Seduction through sincerity and repentance, through obedience and the power of emotions - all this leads to a fatalism so beautifully reproduced in the feminine images of the Marquis de Sade.In the originally forbidden novel "Lady Chatterley's Lover", D. Lawrence presents a new world of love and freedom. Here, female sexuality is in conflict with the irresistible desire to break the constraints of society at that time. Society is vulgar to the open expression of female sexuality and despises the woman's desire to devote herself entirely. In the novel, sexuality is not ostentatious but interwoven with romanticism and dedication. Lawrence sharpened the contrast between the cynicism of modern thinking and the spontaneity of love. The year is 1928, the novel is like a bang.In the fifties of the last century, appeared Vladimir Nabokov`s Lolita. The novel scandalizes with its sophisticated perversity, but that is only at first glance. Nabokov is fascinated by the idea of love, love as madness, as self-forgetting, as obsession. Sexuality is devastating, the little "nymphet" is charming, dangerously seductive and insidious. Sometimes Lolita in her newly awakened sexuality is even vulgar.At a later stage, P. Modiano envelops sexuality in mystery. The character of “Villa Triste” sinks into a mysterious veil, the memories come back, everything is like in a fog, like in a slow-motion. Yvonne is vulnerable and confused, delightful in her disdain for the others, only a few steps away from the audience, a slight smile, and the magic is here. No action is required from her, only a perfect gait, a casual head, a dreamy look, and all are captivated. Beauty and perfection. The woman conquers only with her presence. Sexuality consists in the challenging smile, in the dance of the golden-red hair. Discretion and mystery. Eroticism.We finish with the novel by P. Buvivalda "Bonita Avenue". Characters are bright, memorable, non-standard. We are entering the depths of sexuality, with its cynical manifestations, but described gently and intriguingly.
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Open Access
Feb 7, 2024
Verónica Gómez-Urrutia + 2
