title: ["The very wise Heloise". On dependency and resistance of the female in relation to actual male dominance and the magic power of its representation].
abstract: Psychoanalytical theory of femininity starts from the assumption that specific patterns of identification can be traced back historically to ancient traditions which frequently remain unconscious to those concerned. In the 12th century, the abbess Heloise advocated ideals which on the one hand questioned the medieval image of woman, while on the other hand she sought to be in accordance with the socially domineering male (Abaelard) who represented the intellectual life. The correspondence between Heloise and Abaelard reveals paradigmatically Heloise's conflict between rebellion and resignation, between the striving for autonomy and regression, which is resolved in some form of female narcissism.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Widmer-Perrenoud
mesh_terms: D015709:Correspondence as Topic; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D003858:Dependency, Psychological; D005201:Fantasy; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D005783:Gender Identity; D049691:History, Medieval; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009289:Narcissism; D011209:Power, Psychological; D011574:Psychoanalytic Theory
vernacular_title: "Die sehr weise Heloise". Uber die Abhängigkeit und den Widerstand der Frau gegenüber der realen Herrschaft des Mannes und der magischen Macht seiner Repräsentanz.