Thesis
Audre Lorde's 'Very house of difference': A Reappraisal of Experience and Dialogue in Feminist Theory
Honours, Murdoch University
2001
Abstract
The issue of how feminists might best develop both theory and praxis which not only complement one another, but also provide sufficient flexibility to enable feminism's emancipatory aims remains open to review. During the second wave of feminism, in representing 'women' it was demonstrated that within feminist theory a move to homogenize the category had occurred. This re-instituted practices of discrimination based on non-sexed criteria, such as race, age, class and sexuality. Consequently issues of difference, representation, identity politics and the nature of subjectivity itself became the focus of debate. Recent theoretical moves to deconstruct the subject have kindled doubts about the stability of the category 'woman' and raised the question, 'for whom does feminism seek liberation?' This project addresses these uncertainties by examining the work of Audre Lorde. I argue that her contribution to these issues provides, firstly, an analysis of subjectivity which incorporates notions of contingency and construction without absenting the epistemic salience of identity. Secondly, through a reconceptualization of notions of difference, Lorde outlines communicative practices which displace the self within discourse, thereby defining new sites of resistance to oppression. Lorde 's work provides a timely opportunity to reappraise the roles of experience and dialogue in ways that constructively expand feminist theory and praxis.
Details
- Title
- Audre Lorde's 'Very house of difference': A Reappraisal of Experience and Dialogue in Feminist Theory
- Authors/Creators
- Sian Bennett
- Contributors
- Wendy Parkins (Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Murdoch University; Honours
- Identifiers
- 991005599562907891
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Murdoch University
- Resource Type
- Thesis
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