Sexual Personae

Sexual Personae (Camille Paglia book) cover

The Triumph Of Christianity Over Paganism.Gustave Doré

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David Bowie at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival

Sexual Personae: Art and Decadence from Nefertiti to Emily Dickinson is a 1990 book by Camille Paglia, in which the author addresses the connection between sexuality and art in Western civilization. Paglia explores the influence of sex and gender on the creation and interpretation of art, literature, and culture from ancient Egypt to the late 19th century. The book is known for its controversial stance on feminism, its critical analysis of literary figures and artists, and its broad historical scope.

Summary

Sexual Personae is divided into sections that cover different historical periods, starting with ancient civilizations such as Egypt and Greece, moving through the Renaissance, and ending in the 19th century with figures like Emily Dickinson. Paglia uses these periods to illustrate her thesis that the conflict between Apollonian (rational, orderly) and Dionysian (chaotic, emotional) forces is central to the creation of culture, and that this conflict is inherently sexual in nature.

Paglia argues that Western culture has been profoundly influenced by the tension between male and female energies and that this tension is a powerful source of creative inspiration. She discusses a wide range of artists and writers, including William Shakespeare, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, and Oscar Wilde, to support her argument that the dynamics of sexuality are integral to understanding their work.

Themes and Analysis

One of the key themes of Sexual Personae is the idea that art and literature are not just influenced by the social and political context of their times but are deeply rooted in the primal, sexual forces that drive human behavior. Paglia suggests that to fully appreciate and understand cultural works, one must acknowledge the underlying sexual dynamics that shape them.

Paglia's analysis also challenges contemporary feminist perspectives, arguing that they fail to fully account for the complexity of gender and sexuality in art and literature. She criticizes the feminist movement for what she sees as its demonization of male sexuality and its refusal to acknowledge the power and agency that women can wield through their sexuality.

Reception

Since its publication, Sexual Personae has elicited a wide range of responses, from acclaim to criticism. Supporters praise Paglia for her bold, insightful analysis and her ability to synthesize a vast array of cultural and historical material. Critics, however, have taken issue with her interpretations of gender and sexuality, accusing her of essentialism and of oversimplifying complex issues.

Impact

Sexual Personae has had a significant impact on discussions of gender, sexuality, and culture. It has been cited in numerous academic works and has influenced debates in fields such as literary criticism, gender studies, and art history. Despite the controversy it has generated, the book remains an influential and provocative work that challenges readers to reconsider their assumptions about art, culture, and sexuality.