Psychoanalytic

Feminism in
The
Sympathizer
Atif Afridi, Brandon Castaneda,
Emily Jessop, Melissa Andrews
What is Psychoanalytic Feminism?
Psychoanalytic Feminism: based on the work Sigmund Freud and his
psychoanalytic theories. It maintains that gender is not biological but is based
on the psycho-sexual development of the individual.

Psychoanalytic feminism is focused on the individual, not the group psyche.

Helene Cixous. One aspect of her theory was the power of the mothers bond
with both men and women.
American Women During the Vietnam War
Mainly nurses.

Given Lieutenant status.

Men felt the need to protect them, including those of lesser rank.

Given respect, but objectified.

Joined out of loyalty to America, and also for the thrill of adventure.

Like men during the time, they werent expecting the results of the war.

These women were more for support for their soldiers.

Vietnamese Women During the Vietnam War
These women fought for independence.

Their major role was supposed to be watching over their households while men
were in battle, as well as provide food for them.

However, they often fought in place of the men when they were either
wounded or dead.

They werent all communist, but wanted America to leave.

These women had a large role in the fighting of the Vietnam war.
Photos:
Vietnamese Military Women: American Military Women:
American Feminist Movement:
The Oedipus Complex
Derives from the story Oedipus Rex, written by
Sophocles

Storyline:

Included a prophecy that Oedipus would kill his father and

marry his mother

His parents take steps to avoid this fate, however, it still

comes true and the story ends tragically

Intertextuality: the interrelationship between texts,

especially works of literature; the way that similar or
related texts influence, reflect, or differ from each
Freuds Theories
The Oedipus complex, is a term used by Sigmund Freud in his theory of
psychosexual stages of development to describe a child's feelings of desire for
his or her opposite-sex parent and jealousy and anger toward his or her same-
sex parent.

Object Cathexis: with regard to psychoanalytic theory, the investment of

libido or psychic energy in items outlying of the individual, like an individual,
objective, concept, or activity. Commonly referred to as item libido.
Oedipal Dynamics Within The Sympathizer
Narrators Relationship With His Mother

Uses language reserved for romantic and sexual relationships at times in

reference to his mother

Always felt that his mother deserved more than what she was given in life,
spoke and thought of her very highly

Never spoke of her flaws

Sees her as an object of comfort, calling on her memory in times of distress

Rejects who his father is, sees him as having taken advantage of and wronging
her
Oedipal Dynamics Within The Sympathizer
Narrators Relationship With Sofia Mori

Quickly admits to falling in love with her, but she rejects him, stating what they
have is no strings attached

Narrator refuses to call her Sofia, refers to her only as Ms. Mori

Sees himself as competing with Sonny for Ms. Moris affection (Sibling rivalry)

Facilitates the death of Sonny, as he did with his father

Sees her as very intelligent, holds in very high regard

Oedipal Dynamics Within The Sympathizer
Narrators Relationship With Secondary Female Characters

Projects feelings for his mother onto other women, Falling in love two or three
times a year

Sees many women as objects in relation to his sex drive (id)

The Agent - sees her in the same position he saw his mother in, and the chance
to save her, but does not

Madame - Respects her, sees her as a mother figure without romantic or sexual
dynamics

Lana - Feels a stronger attraction to her when she shows Man compassion
Psychoanalytic Feminism In Everyday Life

Rosie The Riveter

World War 2

What is it?

Is it still relevant today?

Sources
http://pleated-jeans.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/31411416360.jpg
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/intertextuality
http://www.freudfile.org/psychoanalysis/oedipus_complex.html
https://www.verywell.com/what-is-an-oedipal-complex-2795403
https://psychologydictionary.org/object-cathexis/
http://psychology.wikia.com/wiki/Psychoanalytic_feminism
http://yukoart.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Apocalypse_then_the_sympathizer_.jpg Image

Kindrick, Joel. Military Women of the Vietnam War. This Is VietNow,

www.vietnow.com/military-women-of-the-vietnam-war/.

The 1960-70s American Feminist Movement: Breaking Down Barriers for Women. Tavaana,
https://tavaana.org/en/content/1960s-70s-american-feminist-movement-breaking-down-barriers-women.

Zakin, Emily. Psychoanalytic Feminism. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Stanford University, 16 May 2011
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/feminism-psychoanalysis/

Graff, Hollace. A Very Short Summary of Psychoanalytic Feminist Theory and Practice. Www.oakton.edu, 15 Feb. 2012,
www.oakton.edu/user/2/hgraff/WGSSummaryPsychoanalyticFemminismS12.html.

Buck, Stephanie. Rosie the Riveter Is a Bogus Icon of Female Empowerment. Www.timeline.com, 4ADAD, timeline.com/rosie-riveter-
feminist-icon-579cfeb56e1a.