Frame and Preparation
Die Erotik
Introduction
Lou Andreas-Salomé’s Die Erotik is a collection of essays about gender difference, sexuality, and sex and their roles, both intersecting and distinctive, in society. In these essays, the author attempts to work out theories of femininity and masculinity, asking what is the nature of these phenomena, their histories and roles in society, and how they influence one’s identity. Equally important is her investigation of how gender impacts one’s bodily sex as well as one’s sexuality: are there different combinations of masculinity and femininity in each person that then produce unique gender and sexual identities, behaviors, and desires? How much of gender and sexuality are biological and how much social? What are the ideal relationships between men and women?
This text is particularly fascinating and productive to teach for two major reasons. First, as seen in the paragraph above, Andreas-Salomé seeks answers to questions that still haunt our contemporary discussions about gender and sexuality: nature vs. nurture, the importance of identity in society, and the relationship between the sexes, for example. Second, she is a devilishly difficult thinker to classify as “feminist”—while she certainly was outspoken about her sexuality and lived a life as an independent, emancipated woman, especially regarding her personal relationships, she had a fraught and at times antagonistic relationship with the feminist movement and often declined to call herself a “feminist.” Thus, her writing can lead to important classroom discussions about the meaning of feminism, its uses and abuses, and what it means to call oneself a “feminist.”
Conceptual Frames and Key Concepts
- History of sexuality
- Gender roles/women’s roles in society
- Theories of femininity and masculinity/gender identity
- Gender vs. sex vs. sexuality
- Homosexuality
- Politics of gender and sexuality
- Marriage
- Role of reproduction in sexuality
- “Battle of the sexes”
Preparation
- This collection of essays is rather hermetic and self-referential, so not too much background information or context is necessary for students to adequately engage with the texts. However, a brief introduction to contemporary theories of sexuality and gender, and especially of masculinity and femininity, of the early 20th century—such as those of Otto Weininger and Sigmund Freud—would provide a more robust opportunity for discussion and allow students to place Andreas-Salomé back into her historical period.
Text and Discussion
Find a link to digital copy of this collection of essays here (Links to an external site.).
Discussion Questions
- How does Andreas-Salomé define “masculinity” and “femininity?” What kinds of terms does she use: biological, scientific, aesthetic, philosophical, anthropological, etc.?
- What is the role that erotics plays in society, according to the author? Do you agree? What role should sexuality and erotic desire play in our society?
- What are the connections between gender, sex, and sexuality in these essays?
- What is the connection between erotics and art? Does erotic desire play a part in creativity and artistic endeavor?
- How does Andreas-Salomé see the relationship between femininity and masculinity and between men and women?
- What role, if any, does she think homosexuality plays in society?
- Would you consider Andreas-Salomé a feminist? Why or why not? And in which contexts?