The Practice of Love

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This work builds a substantial bridge between Freudian psychoanalysis and radical feminist thought, particularly regarding lesbianism. It presents a complex argument vital to both psychoanalytic endeavors and feminist theory, stimulating a reconsideration of 'perversion' and the construction of sexual fantasy. By illuminating the distinctive fantasies that shape lesbian desire, it enhances our understanding of all sexuality. Teresa de Lauretis intertwines critical histories of psychoanalytic theories of female homosexuality, examines how lesbians are marginalized in popular culture, especially film, and speculates on the dynamics of lesbian desire. This important contribution not only enriches lesbian and gay studies but also advances psychoanalytic theory and film criticism, offering a unique perspective on pressing issues in these fields. De Lauretis's influential theory is highly regarded by scholars focused on sapphic studies. Through an eccentric reading of Freud, informed by Laplanche and Lacanian and feminist revisions, she delineates a model of "perverse" desire and a theory of lesbian sexuality. The work discusses classic psychoanalytic narratives of female homosexuality, contemporary feminist writings on female sexuality, and how original fantasies evolve into cultural myths or public fantasies.