Psychoanalysis and Feminism

A Radical Reassessment of Freudian Psychoanalysis

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$29.95 US
On sale Jan 13, 2026 | 496 Pages | 9781836740049

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With a new introduction from the author, this critical text of feminist theory explores how Freud's work helps us understand the subjugation of women today.

Psychoanalysis and Feminism had a double task of explaining Freud’s work both to its mistaken attackers and at the same time to those who were ignorant of it. Juliet Mitchell argued that an analysis of patriarchy was not a recommendation of it. Quite the contrary, it was indispensable for explaining the continuing ‘second sex’ status of women. Its argument is as effective and valid today as it was then, and the author will introduce her theories afresh for a new generation of readers and the psycho-social conditions fifty years later.
Juliet Mitchell FBA is Emeritus Professor at the Universities of Cambridge and London, and the Founder Director of the Centre for Gender Studies in the University of Cambridge. Her many books include: Psychoanalysis & Feminism, Women: The Longest Revolution, Woman’s Estate, Mad Men and Medusas, Siblings: Sex and Violence, and, most recently, Fratriarchy. She is also a Fellow of both the British Academy and the International Psychoanalytical Association, and in 2022 she was made an Honorary Fellow of the University of Metz-Lorraine (France).

About

With a new introduction from the author, this critical text of feminist theory explores how Freud's work helps us understand the subjugation of women today.

Psychoanalysis and Feminism had a double task of explaining Freud’s work both to its mistaken attackers and at the same time to those who were ignorant of it. Juliet Mitchell argued that an analysis of patriarchy was not a recommendation of it. Quite the contrary, it was indispensable for explaining the continuing ‘second sex’ status of women. Its argument is as effective and valid today as it was then, and the author will introduce her theories afresh for a new generation of readers and the psycho-social conditions fifty years later.

Author

Juliet Mitchell FBA is Emeritus Professor at the Universities of Cambridge and London, and the Founder Director of the Centre for Gender Studies in the University of Cambridge. Her many books include: Psychoanalysis & Feminism, Women: The Longest Revolution, Woman’s Estate, Mad Men and Medusas, Siblings: Sex and Violence, and, most recently, Fratriarchy. She is also a Fellow of both the British Academy and the International Psychoanalytical Association, and in 2022 she was made an Honorary Fellow of the University of Metz-Lorraine (France).

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