The Psychic Life of Power: Theories in Subjection

The Psychic Life of Power Theories in Subjection M Judith Butler

Stanford Stanford,

University California

Press

Acknowledgments

Stanford U n i v e r s i t y Press

This w o r k was generously sponsored by a Humanities Re-

Stanford, California

s e a r c h F e l l o w s h i p f r o m the U n i v e r s i t y o f C a l i f o r n i a a t B e r k e -

© 1997 b y t h e B o a r d o f T r u s t e e s o f t h e Leland Stanford Junior University P r i n t e d i n the U n i t e d States o f A m e r i c a C I P data a p p e a r at the e n d of the b o o k

ley. I a m g r a t e f u l t o those f r i e n d s a n d c o l l e a g u e s w h o g a v e incisive readings

o f s o m e o f the

chapters:

Wendy

Brown,

W i l l i a m Connolly, D a v i d P a l u m b o - L i u , Kaja Silverman, A n n e N o r t o n , D e n i s e R i l e y , a n d H a y d e n W h i t e , a s w e l l a s the s t u d e n t s w h o p a r t i c i p a t e d i n " S o c i a l Subjects / P s y c h i c States" a t B e r k e l e y . I t h a n k A d a m P h i l l i p s for h i s p e r m i s s i o n t o r e p r i n t o u r e x c h a n g e f r o m Psychoanalytic Dialogues in this context.

I

also t h a n k H e l e n T a r t a r for her m e t i c u l o u s , i n t e l l i g e n t , a n d t h o r o u g h g o i n g e d i t i n g , a n d G a y l e S a l a m o n for her assistance w i t h the m a n u s c r i p t .

Contents

Introduction 1

Stubborn Attachment, B o d i l y Subjection Rereading Hegel on the Unhappy Consciousness

2

5

63

Subjection, Resistance, Resignification Between Freud and Foucault

4

31

C i r c u i t s of B a d Conscience Nietzsche and Freud

3

1

83

" C o n s c i e n c e D o t h M a k e Subjects o f U s A l l " Althusser's Subjection

106

M e l a n c h o l y G e n d e r / Refused Identification

132

Keeping It M o v i n g

6

Commentary on Judith Butler, by Adam Phillips

151

Reply to A d a m Phillips

160

Psychic Inceptions Melancholy, Ambivalence, Rage

167

Notes

201

Index

217

The Psychic Life of Power Theories

in

Subjection

Introduction

W e s h o u l d t r y t o g r a s p s u b j e c t i o n i n its m a t e r i a l i n s t a n c e a s a c o n s t i t u t i o n of s u b j e c t s . — M i c h e l Foucault, "Two Lectures" T h e s p l i t t i n g of the subject, w i t h i n w h i c h the self as present to itself is o n l y one m o m e n t , a n d the c h a r g e d reflexivity of that m o m e n t , i s the p o i n t o f p u r c h a s e w i t h i n the subject o f its s u b j e c t i o n . T h e p r o f o u n d a n d c o r p o r e a l g u i l t w i t h w h i c h t h e s u b j e c t i s i n v e s t e d a s t h e f e b r i l e u n d e r t o n e o f t h a t selfc o n s c i o u s n e s s , w h i c h t u r n s o u t t o k n o w s o little o f itself, i s decisive i n s e c u r i n g the d e e p i n n e r c o n t r o l , w h i c h has b e e n called interpellation. — F r a n c i s B a r k e r , The Tremulous Private Body: Essays

on

Subjection

Subjection . . . T h e a c t or fact of b e i n g s u b j e c t e d , as u n d e r a m o n a r c h o r o t h e r s o v e r e i g n o r s u p e r i o r p o w e r ; the state o f b e i n g subject to, or u n d e r the d o m i n i o n of another; hence gen. s u b o r d i n a t i o n . . . . T h e c o n d i t i o n of b e i n g s u b j e c t , e x p o s e d , or l i a b l e to; l i a b i l i t y . . . . Logic. T h e a c t of s u p p l y i n g a s u b j e c t to a p r e d i c a t e .

—Oxford

English

Dictionary

A s a f o r m o f power, subjection i s paradoxical. T o b e d o m i il nated by a p o w e r external to oneself is a f a m i l i a r a n d a g o n i z i n g f o r m p o w e r takes. T o f i n d , h o w e v e r , that w h a t " o n e "

2

Introduction

Introduction

is, one's v e r y f o r m a t i o n as a subject, is in s o m e sense d e p e n -

project r e q u i r e s t h i n k i n g the t h e o r y o f p o w e r t o g e t h e r w i t h a

d e n t u p o n that v e r y p o w e r i s q u i t e another. W e are u s e d t o

t h e o r y o f the p s y c h e , a task that h a s b e e n e s c h e w e d b y w r i t e r s

t h i n k i n g o f p o w e r a s w h a t presses o n the subject f r o m the o u t -

in both F o u c a u l d i a n a n d psychoanalytic orthodoxies. T h o u g h

side, a s w h a t s u b o r d i n a t e s , sets u n d e r n e a t h , a n d relegates t o

i t offers n o p r o m i s e o f a g r a n d s y n t h e s i s , the p r e s e n t i n q u i r y

a l o w e r o r d e r . T h i s is s u r e l y a f a i r d e s c r i p t i o n of p a r t of w h a t

seeks t o e x p l o r e the p r o v i s i o n a l p e r s p e c t i v e s f r o m w h i c h e a c h

p o w e r does. B u t if, f o l l o w i n g F o u c a u l t , w e u n d e r s t a n d p o w e r

t h e o r y i l l u m i n a t e s the other. T h e project n e i t h e r b e g i n s n o r

as forming the subject as w e l l , as p r o v i d i n g the v e r y c o n d i t i o n

e n d s w i t h F r e u d a n d F o u c a u l t ; the q u e s t i o n o f s u b j e c t i o n , o f

o f its e x i s t e n c e a n d the t r a j e c t o r y o f its d e s i r e , t h e n p o w e r i s

h o w the subject i s f o r m e d i n s u b o r d i n a t i o n , p r e o c c u p i e s the

n o t s i m p l y w h a t w e o p p o s e b u t also, i n a s t r o n g sense, w h a t w e

s e c t i o n of H e g e l ' s Phenomenology of Spirit that traces the slave's

d e p e n d o n for o u r existence a n d w h a t w e harbor a n d preserve

a p p r o a c h t o f r e e d o m a n d h i s d i s a p p o i n t i n g f a l l i n t o the " u n -

i n the b e i n g s that w e are. T h e c u s t o m a r y m o d e l f o r u n d e r -

h a p p y c o n s c i o u s n e s s . " T h e m a s t e r , w h o a t first a p p e a r s t o

s t a n d i n g t h i s p r o c e s s g o e s a s f o l l o w s : p o w e r i m p o s e s itself o n

b e " e x t e r n a l " t o the slave, r e e m e r g e s a s the slave's o w n c o n -

us, a n d , w e a k e n e d b y its force, w e c o m e t o i n t e r n a l i z e o r a c -

science. T h e u n h a p p i n e s s o f the c o n s c i o u s n e s s that e m e r g e s i s

cept its t e r m s . W h a t s u c h a n a c c o u n t fails t o note, h o w e v e r ,

its o w n self-beratement, the effect o f t h e t r a n s m u t a t i o n o f t h e

i s that the " w e " w h o a c c e p t s u c h t e r m s are f u n d a m e n t a l l y

m a s t e r i n t o a p s y c h i c r e a l i t y . T h e s e l f - m o r t i f i c a t i o n s that seek

d e p e n d e n t o n those t e r m s f o r " o u r " existence. A r e there n o t

t o r e d r e s s the i n s i s t e n t c o r p o r e a l i t y o f s e l f - c o n s c i o u s n e s s i n s t i -

d i s c u r s i v e c o n d i t i o n s f o r the a r t i c u l a t i o n o f a n y " w e " ? S u b j e c -

tute b a d conscience. T h i s figure of consciousness t u r n e d back

tion consists precisely in this f u n d a m e n t a l d e p e n d e n c y on a

u p o n itself p r e f i g u r e s N i e t z s c h e ' s a c c o u n t , in On the Genealogy

d i s c o u r s e w e n e v e r c h o s e b u t that, p a r a d o x i c a l l y , i n i t i a t e s a n d

o f Morals, n o t o n l y o f h o w r e p r e s s i o n a n d r e g u l a t i o n f o r m t h e

s u s t a i n s o u r agency.

o v e r l a p p i n g p h e n o m e n a of conscience a n d bad conscience, but

" S u b j e c t i o n " s i g n i f i e s the p r o c e s s o f b e c o m i n g s u b o r d i n a t e d b y p o w e r a s w e l l a s the p r o c e s s o f b e c o m i n g a subject. W h e t h e r b y i n t e r p e l l a t i o n , i n A l t h u s s e r ' s sense, o r b y d i s c u r s i v e p r o d u c t i v i t y , i n F o u c a u l t ' s , the subject i s i n i t i a t e d t h r o u g h a p r i m a r y s u b m i s s i o n t o p o w e r . A l t h o u g h F o u c a u l t i d e n t i f i e s the

a l s o o f h o w the latter b e c o m e e s s e n t i a l t o the f o r m a t i o n , p e r sistence, a n d c o n t i n u i t y o f the subject. I n e a c h case, p o w e r that at first a p p e a r s as e x t e r n a l , p r e s s e d u p o n the subject, p r e s s i n g the subject i n t o s u b o r d i n a t i o n , a s s u m e s a p s y c h i c f o r m that c o n s t i t u t e s the subject's s e l f - i d e n t i t y .

a m b i v a l e n c e i n t h i s f o r m u l a t i o n , h e d o e s n o t elaborate o n the

T h e f o r m t h i s p o w e r takes i s r e l e n t l e s s l y m a r k e d b y a f i g u r e

s p e c i f i c m e c h a n i s m s o f h o w the subject i s f o r m e d i n s u b m i s -

of t u r n i n g , a t u r n i n g back u p o n oneself or even a t u r n i n g

s i o n . N o t o n l y d o e s the e n t i r e d o m a i n o f the p s y c h e r e m a i n

on oneself. T h i s f i g u r e operates as p a r t of the e x p l a n a t i o n of

l a r g e l y u n r e m a r k e d i n h i s theory, b u t p o w e r i n t h i s d o u b l e

h o w a subject is p r o d u c e d , a n d so there is no subject, s t r i c t l y

valence of subordinating a n d p r o d u c i n g remains unexplored.

s p e a k i n g , w h o m a k e s this t u r n . O n the c o n t r a r y , the t u r n a p -

T h u s , if s u b m i s s i o n is a c o n d i t i o n of s u b j e c t i o n , it m a k e s sense

p e a r s to f u n c t i o n as a t r o p o l o g i c a l i n a u g u r a t i o n of the subject,

t o ask: W h a t i s the p s y c h i c f o r m that p o w e r takes? S u c h a

a f o u n d i n g m o m e n t w h o s e o n t o l o g i c a l status r e m a i n s p e r m a -

4

Introduction

nently uncertain. S u c h a notion, then, appears difficult, if not i m p o s s i b l e , t o i n c o r p o r a t e i n t o the a c c o u n t o f subject f o r m a t i o n . W h a t o r w h o i s s a i d t o t u r n , a n d w h a t i s the object o f s u c h a t u r n ? H o w i s i t that a subject i s w r o u g h t f r o m s u c h a n o n t o l o g i c a l l y u n c e r t a i n f o r m o f twisting? Perhaps w i t h the adv e n t o f t h i s f i g u r e , w e are n o l o n g e r i n the b u s i n e s s o f " g i v i n g a n a c c o u n t o f the f o r m a t i o n o f the subject." W e are, rather, confronted w i t h the t r o p o l o g i c a l p r e s u m p t i o n m a d e b y a n y s u c h e x p l a n a t i o n , o n e that facilitates the e x p l a n a t i o n b u t a l s o m a r k s its l i m i t . T h e m o m e n t w e seek t o d e t e r m i n e h o w p o w e r p r o d u c e s its subject, h o w t h e subject takes i n t h e p o w e r b y w h i c h i t i s i n a u g u r a t e d , w e s e e m t o enter t h i s t r o p o l o g i c a l q u a n d a r y . W e c a n n o t p r e s u m e a subject w h o p e r f o r m s a n i n t e r n a l i z a t i o n i f the f o r m a t i o n o f t h e subject i s i n n e e d o f exp l a n a t i o n . T h e f i g u r e t o w h i c h w e refer has n o t yet a c q u i r e d existence a n d i s n o t p a r t o f a v e r i f i a b l e e x p l a n a t i o n , yet o u r reference c o n t i n u e s t o m a k e a c e r t a i n k i n d o f sense. T h e p a r a dox of subjection i m p l i e s a paradox of referentiality: namely, that w e m u s t refer t o w h a t d o e s n o t yet exist. T h r o u g h a f i g u r e that m a r k s the s u s p e n s i o n o f o u r o n t o l o g i c a l c o m m i t m e n t s , w e seek t o a c c o u n t for h o w the subject c o m e s t o be. T h a t t h i s f i g u r e i s i t s e l f a " t u r n " is, r h e t o r i c a l l y , p e r f o r m a t i v e l y s p e c t a c u l a r ; " t u r n " translates the G r e e k sense o f " t r o p e . " T h u s the

Introduction i n s t a n c e o f t h i s q u a s i - f i c t i v e effort t o g i v e a n a c c o u n t o f h o w the s o c i a l subject i s p r o d u c e d t h r o u g h l i n g u i s t i c m e a n s . A l t h u s s e r ' s d o c t r i n e of i n t e r p e l l a t i o n c l e a r l y sets the stage f o r F o u c a u l t ' s later v i e w s o n the " d i s c u r s i v e p r o d u c t i o n o f the subject." F o u c a u l t , of c o u r s e , i n s i s t s that the subject is n o t " s p o k e n " i n t o existence a n d that the m a t r i c e s o f p o w e r a n d d i s c o u r s e that c o n s t i t u t e the subject are n e i t h e r s i n g u l a r n o r s o v e r e i g n i n t h e i r p r o d u c t i v e a c t i o n . Yet A l t h u s s e r a n d F o u c a u l t agree that there is a f o u n d i n g s u b o r d i n a t i o n in the p r o c e s s of assujetissement.

I n A l t h u s s e r ' s essay

"Ideology and Ideologi-

c a l State A p p a r a t u s e s , " the s u b o r d i n a t i o n of the subject takes p l a c e t h r o u g h l a n g u a g e , as the effect of the a u t h o r i t a t i v e v o i c e that h a i l s the i n d i v i d u a l . I n the i n f a m o u s e x a m p l e that A l t h u s ser offers, a p o l i c e m a n h a i l s a p a s s e r b y on the street, a n d the p a s s e r b y t u r n s a n d r e c o g n i z e s h i m s e l f a s the o n e w h o i s h a i l e d . I n the e x c h a n g e b y w h i c h that r e c o g n i t i o n i s p r o f e r r e d a n d a c c e p t e d , i n t e r p e l l a t i o n — t h e d i s c u r s i v e p r o d u c t i o n o f the s o c i a l s u b j e c t — t a k e s p l a c e . S i g n i f i c a n t l y , A l t h u s s e r does n o t offer a c l u e a s t o w h y that i n d i v i d u a l t u r n s a r o u n d , a c c e p t i n g the v o i c e a s b e i n g a d d r e s s e d t o h i m o r her, a n d a c c e p t i n g the s u b o r d i n a t i o n a n d n o r m a l i z a t i o n effected b y that v o i c e . W h y d o e s this subject t u r n t o w a r d the v o i c e o f the l a w , a n d w h a t i s

t r o p e o f the t u r n b o t h i n d i c a t e s a n d e x e m p l i f i e s the t r o p o l o g i -

the effect of s u c h a t u r n in i n a u g u r a t i n g a s o c i a l subject? Is t h i s

c a l status o f the gesture. D o e s s u b j e c t i o n i n a u g u r a t e t r o p o l o g y

a g u i l t y subject a n d , i f so, h o w d i d i t b e c o m e g u i l t y ? M i g h t

i n s o m e w a y , o r i s the i n a u g u r a t i v e w o r k o f t r o p e s n e c e s s a r i l y

the t h e o r y of i n t e r p e l l a t i o n r e q u i r e a t h e o r y of c o n s c i e n c e ?

1

i n v o k e d w h e n w e t r y t o a c c o u n t f o r the g e n e r a t i o n o f t h e s u b -

T h e i n t e r p e l l a t i o n o f the subject t h r o u g h the i n a u g u r a t i v e

ject? W e w i l l r e t u r n t o t h i s q u e s t i o n t o w a r d the e n d o f this

a d d r e s s o f state a u t h o r i t y p r e s u p p o s e s n o t o n l y that the i n -

i n q u i r y w h e n w e c o n s i d e r h o w the e x p l a n a t i o n o f m e l a n c h o l i a

c u l c a t i o n o f c o n s c i e n c e a l r e a d y has t a k e n p l a c e , b u t that c o n -

participates in the m e c h a n i s m it describes, p r o d u c i n g p s y c h i c

science, u n d e r s t o o d as the p s y c h i c o p e r a t i o n of a r e g u l a t o r y

t o p o g r a p h i e s that are c l e a r l y t r o p o l o g i c a l .

n o r m , constitutes a specifically p s y c h i c a n d social w o r k i n g of p o w e r o n w h i c h i n t e r p e l l a t i o n d e p e n d s b u t for w h i c h i t c a n

T h e scene o f " i n t e r p e l l a t i o n " o f f e r e d b y A l t h u s s e r i s o n e

g i v e n o a c c o u n t . M o r e o v e r , the m o d e l o f p o w e r i n A l t h u s -

6

Introduction

Introduction

7

ser's a c c o u n t a t t r i b u t e s p e r f o r m a t i v e p o w e r t o the a u t h o r i t a -

p r e s s e d on a subject b u t f o r m s a subject, that is, is p r e s s e d on

t i v e v o i c e , the v o i c e o f s a n c t i o n , a n d h e n c e t o a n o t i o n o f l a n -

a subject by its f o r m a t i o n , suggests an a m b i v a l e n c e at the site

g u a g e f i g u r e d a s s p e e c h . H o w are w e t o a c c o u n t for the p o w e r

w h e r e the subject emerges. If the effect of a u t o n o m y is c o n -

of written discourse, or of bureaucratic discourse, w h i c h cir-

d i t i o n e d b y s u b o r d i n a t i o n a n d that f o u n d i n g s u b o r d i n a t i o n o r

culates w i t h o u t v o i c e o r s i g n a t u r e ? F i n a l l y , A l t h u s s e r ' s v i e w ,

d e p e n d e n c y i s r i g o r o u s l y r e p r e s s e d , the subject e m e r g e s i n

u s e f u l as it is, r e m a i n s i m p l i c i t l y c o n s t r a i n e d by a n o t i o n of a

t a n d e m w i t h the u n c o n s c i o u s . T h e F o u c a u l t i a n p o s t u l a t i o n o f

c e n t r a l i z e d state a p p a r a t u s , o n e w h o s e w o r d i s its d e e d , m o d -

s u b j e c t i o n a s the s i m u l t a n e o u s s u b o r d i n a t i o n a n d f o r m i n g o f

eled on d i v i n e authority. The n o t i o n of discourse emerges in

the subject a s s u m e s a s p e c i f i c p s y c h o a n a l y t i c v a l e n c e w h e n w e

F o u c a u l t i n p a r t t o c o u n t e r the s o v e r e i g n m o d e l o f i n t e r p e l l a -

c o n s i d e r that no subject e m e r g e s w i t h o u t a p a s s i o n a t e attach-

tive speech in theories s u c h as A l t h u s s e r ' s , but also to take

m e n t t o those o n w h o m h e o r she i s f u n d a m e n t a l l y d e p e n d e n t

a c c o u n t of the efficacy of d i s c o u r s e a p a r t f r o m its i n s t a n t i a t i o n

(even i f that p a s s i o n i s " n e g a t i v e " i n the p s y c h o a n a l y t i c sense).

a s the s p o k e n w o r d .

A l t h o u g h the d e p e n d e n c y o f the c h i l d i s n o t political s u b o r d i n a t i o n i n a n y u s u a l sense, the f o r m a t i o n o f p r i m a r y p a s s i o n

Passionate

Attachments

i n d e p e n d e n c y r e n d e r s the c h i l d v u l n e r a b l e t o s u b o r d i n a t i o n a n d e x p l o i t a t i o n , a t o p i c that has b e c o m e a p r e o c c u p a t i o n of

T h e i n s i s t e n c e that a subject is p a s s i o n a t e l y a t t a c h e d to h i s

recent p o l i t i c a l d i s c o u r s e . M o r e o v e r , t h i s s i t u a t i o n o f p r i m a r y

o r h e r o w n s u b o r d i n a t i o n has b e e n i n v o k e d c y n i c a l l y b y those

d e p e n d e n c y c o n d i t i o n s the p o l i t i c a l f o r m a t i o n a n d r e g u l a t i o n

w h o seek to d e b u n k the c l a i m s of the s u b o r d i n a t e d . If a s u b -

of subjects a n d b e c o m e s the m e a n s of t h e i r s u b j e c t i o n . If there

ject c a n b e s h o w n t o p u r s u e o r s u s t a i n h i s o r h e r s u b o r d i n a t e d

is no f o r m a t i o n of the subject w i t h o u t a p a s s i o n a t e a t t a c h m e n t

status, the r e a s o n i n g goes, t h e n p e r h a p s f i n a l r e s p o n s i b i l i t y for

t o t h o s e b y w h o m she o r h e i s s u b o r d i n a t e d , t h e n s u b o r d i -

that s u b o r d i n a t i o n r e s i d e s w i t h the subject. O v e r a n d against

n a t i o n p r o v e s c e n t r a l t o the b e c o m i n g o f the subject. A s the

t h i s v i e w , I w o u l d m a i n t a i n that the a t t a c h m e n t t o s u b j e c t i o n

c o n d i t i o n o f b e c o m i n g a subject, s u b o r d i n a t i o n i m p l i e s b e i n g

i s p r o d u c e d t h r o u g h the w o r k i n g s o f p o w e r , a n d that p a r t o f

i n a m a n d a t o r y s u b m i s s i o n . M o r e o v e r , the d e s i r e t o s u r v i v e ,

2

the o p e r a t i o n o f p o w e r i s m a d e c l e a r i n t h i s p s y c h i c effect, o n e

"to be," i s a p e r v a s i v e l y e x p l o i t a b l e d e s i r e . T h e o n e w h o h o l d s

o f the m o s t i n s i d i o u s o f its p r o d u c t i o n s . If, i n a N i e t z s c h e a n

o u t the p r o m i s e o f c o n t i n u e d e x i s t e n c e p l a y s t o the d e s i r e

sense, the subject i s f o r m e d b y a w i l l that t u r n s b a c k u p o n

t o s u r v i v e . " I w o u l d r a t h e r exist i n s u b o r d i n a t i o n t h a n n o t

itself, a s s u m i n g a r e f l e x i v e f o r m , t h e n the subject is the m o -

e x i s t " i s o n e f o r m u l a t i o n o f t h i s p r e d i c a m e n t ( w h e r e the r i s k

d a l i t y o f p o w e r that t u r n s o n itself; the subject i s the effect o f

o f " d e a t h " i s also p o s s i b l e ) . T h i s i s o n e r e a s o n w h y debates

power in recoil.

a b o u t the r e a l i t y o f the s e x u a l a b u s e o f c h i l d r e n t e n d t o m i s -

T h e subject w h o i s a t o n c e f o r m e d a n d s u b o r d i n a t e d i s

state the c h a r a c t e r of the e x p l o i t a t i o n . It is n o t s i m p l y that a

a l r e a d y i m p l i c a t e d i n the scene o f p s y c h o a n a l y s i s . F o u c a u l t ' s

s e x u a l i t y i s u n i l a t e r a l l y i m p o s e d b y the a d u l t , n o r that a s e x u -

r e f o r m u l a t i o n o f s u b o r d i n a t i o n a s that w h i c h i s n o t o n l y

a l i t y i s u n i l a t e r a l l y f a n t a s i z e d b y the c h i l d , b u t that the c h i l d ' s

8

Introduction

Introduction

love, a l o v e that is n e c e s s a r y for its e x i s t e n c e , is e x p l o i t e d a n d

sense of " I . " " T c o u l d n o t be w h o I am if I w e r e to l o v e in the

a passionate attachment abused.

w a y that I a p p a r e n t l y d i d , w h i c h I m u s t , t o p e r s i s t a s m y s e l f ,

9

L e t u s c o n s i d e r that a subject i s n o t o n l y f o r m e d i n s u b -

c o n t i n u e t o d e n y a n d yet u n c o n s c i o u s l y reenact i n c o n t e m p o -

o r d i n a t i o n , b u t that t h i s s u b o r d i n a t i o n p r o v i d e s the subject's

r a r y life w i t h the m o s t t e r r i b l e s u f f e r i n g a s its c o n s e q u e n c e . "

c o n t i n u i n g c o n d i t i o n of possibility. A child's love is p r i o r to

T h e t r a u m a t i c r e p e t i t i o n o f w h a t has b e e n f o r e c l o s e d f r o m

judgment and decision; a c h i l d tended and nourished in a

c o n t e m p o r a r y life t h r e a t e n s the " I . " T h r o u g h that n e u r o t i c

" g o o d e n o u g h " w a y w i l l l o v e , a n d o n l y later s t a n d a c h a n c e o f

r e p e t i t i o n the subject p u r s u e s its o w n d i s s o l u t i o n , its o w n u n -

d i s c r i m i n a t i n g a m o n g those h e o r she loves. T h i s i s t o say, n o t

r a v e l i n g , a p u r s u i t that m a r k s an agency, b u t n o t the subject's

that the c h i l d l o v e s b l i n d l y (since f r o m e a r l y o n there i s d i s -

a g e n c y — r a t h e r , the a g e n c y of a d e s i r e that a i m s at the d i s s o -

cernment and "knowingness" of an important kind), but only

l u t i o n of the subject, w h e r e the subject s t a n d s as a b a r to that

that i f the c h i l d i s t o p e r s i s t i n a p s y c h i c a n d s o c i a l sense, there

desire.

4

m u s t b e d e p e n d e n c y a n d the f o r m a t i o n o f a t t a c h m e n t : there i s

I f the subject i s p r o d u c e d t h r o u g h f o r e c l o s u r e , t h e n the s u b -

n o p o s s i b i l i t y o f n o t l o v i n g , w h e r e l o v e i s b o u n d u p w i t h the

ject i s p r o d u c e d b y a c o n d i t i o n f r o m w h i c h i t is, b y d e f i n i t i o n ,

r e q u i r e m e n t s f o r life. T h e c h i l d d o e s n o t k n o w t o w h a t he/she

s e p a r a t e d a n d d i f f e r e n t i a t e d . D e s i r e w i l l a i m a t u n r a v e l i n g the

attaches; yet the i n f a n t a s w e l l a s the c h i l d m u s t a t t a c h i n

subject, b u t b e t h w a r t e d b y p r e c i s e l y the subject i n w h o s e

o r d e r t o p e r s i s t i n a n d a s itself. N o subject c a n e m e r g e w i t h -

n a m e it operates. A v e x a t i o n of d e s i r e , o n e that p r o v e s c r u c i a l

o u t t h i s a t t a c h m e n t , f o r m e d i n d e p e n d e n c y , b u t n o subject, i n

to s u b j e c t i o n , i m p l i e s that for the subject to p e r s i s t , the s u b -

t h e c o u r s e o f its f o r m a t i o n , c a n e v e r a f f o r d f u l l y t o "see" it.

ject m u s t t h w a r t its o w n d e s i r e . A n d for d e s i r e t o t r i u m p h , the

T h i s a t t a c h m e n t i n its p r i m a r y f o r m s m u s t b o t h come t o b e a n d

subject m u s t b e t h r e a t e n e d w i t h d i s s o l u t i o n . A subject t u r n e d

b e denied, its c o m i n g t o b e m u s t c o n s i s t i n its p a r t i a l d e n i a l , for

a g a i n s t itself (its desire) a p p e a r s , on t h i s m o d e l , to be a c o n d i -

the subject to e m e r g e .

t i o n of the p e r s i s t e n c e of the subject.

3

T h a t a c c o u n t s i n p a r t f o r the a d u l t sense o f h u m i l i a t i o n

T o d e s i r e the c o n d i t i o n s o f one's o w n s u b o r d i n a t i o n i s t h u s

w h e n c o n f r o n t e d w i t h the earliest objects o f l o v e — p a r e n t s ,

r e q u i r e d t o p e r s i s t a s oneself. W h a t does i t m e a n t o e m b r a c e

g u a r d i a n s , s i b l i n g s , a n d s o o n — t h e sense o f b e l a t e d i n d i g n a -

the v e r y f o r m o f p o w e r — r e g u l a t i o n , p r o h i b i t i o n , s u p p r e s s i o n

t i o n in w h i c h one claims, "I c o u l d n ' t p o s s i b l y love s u c h a per-

— that threatens o n e w i t h d i s s o l u t i o n i n a n effort, p r e c i s e l y , t o

s o n . " T h e u t t e r a n c e c o n c e d e s the p o s s i b i l i t y i t d e n i e s , estab-

p e r s i s t i n o n e ' s o w n existence? I t i s n o t s i m p l y that o n e r e -

l i s h i n g the "I" a s p r e d i c a t e d u p o n that f o r e c l o s u r e , g r o u n d e d

q u i r e s the r e c o g n i t i o n o f the o t h e r a n d that a f o r m o f r e c o g n i -

i n a n d b y that f i r m l y i m a g i n e d i m p o s s i b i l i t y . T h e "I" i s t h u s

t i o n i s c o n f e r r e d t h r o u g h s u b o r d i n a t i o n , b u t r a t h e r that o n e i s

f u n d a m e n t a l l y t h r e a t e n e d b y the s p e c t e r o f t h i s ( i m p o s s i b l e )

d e p e n d e n t o n p o w e r for one's v e r y f o r m a t i o n , that that f o r m a -

l o v e ' s r e a p p e a r a n c e a n d r e m a i n s c o n d e m n e d t o r e e n a c t that

t i o n i s i m p o s s i b l e w i t h o u t d e p e n d e n c y , a n d that the p o s t u r e o f

l o v e u n c o n s c i o u s l y , r e p e a t e d l y r e l i v i n g a n d d i s p l a c i n g that

the a d u l t subject c o n s i s t s p r e c i s e l y i n the d e n i a l a n d reenact-

s c a n d a l , that i m p o s s i b i l i t y , o r c h e s t r a t i n g that threat t o o n e ' s

m e n t o f t h i s d e p e n d e n c y . T h e " I " e m e r g e s u p o n the c o n d i t i o n

10

Introduction

Introduction

il

that i t d e n y its f o r m a t i o n i n d e p e n d e n c y , the c o n d i t i o n s o f its

a "site"), a n d t h e y e n j o y i n t e l l i g i b i l i t y o n l y to the extent that

o w n p o s s i b i l i t y . T h e "I," h o w e v e r , i s t h r e a t e n e d w i t h d i s r u p -

t h e y are, a s i t w e r e , first e s t a b l i s h e d i n l a n g u a g e . T h e subject

t i o n p r e c i s e l y b y t h i s d e n i a l , b y its u n c o n s c i o u s p u r s u i t o f its

i s the l i n g u i s t i c o c c a s i o n for the i n d i v i d u a l t o a c h i e v e a n d r e -

o w n d i s s o l u t i o n t h r o u g h n e u r o t i c r e p e t i t i o n s that restage the

p r o d u c e i n t e l l i g i b i l i t y , the l i n g u i s t i c c o n d i t i o n o f its e x i s t e n c e

p r i m a r y s c e n a r i o s i t n o t o n l y refuses t o see b u t c a n n o t see, i f i t

a n d agency. N o i n d i v i d u a l b e c o m e s a subject w i t h o u t first b e -

w i s h e s t o r e m a i n itself. T h i s m e a n s , o f c o u r s e , that, p r e d i c a t e d

c o m i n g subjected or u n d e r g o i n g "subjectivation" (a translation

o n w h a t i t refuses t o k n o w , i t i s s e p a r a t e d f r o m itself a n d c a n

of the F r e n c h assujetissement). It m a k e s l i t t l e sense to treat " t h e

n e v e r q u i t e b e c o m e o r r e m a i n itself.

i n d i v i d u a l " a s a n i n t e l l i g i b l e t e r m i f i n d i v i d u a l s are s a i d t o acq u i r e t h e i r i n t e l l i g i b i l i t y b y b e c o m i n g subjects. P a r a d o x i c a l l y ,

Ambivalence

n o i n t e l l i g i b l e reference t o i n d i v i d u a l s o r t h e i r b e c o m i n g c a n t a k e p l a c e w i t h o u t a p r i o r reference to t h e i r status as subjects.

T h e n o t i o n o f the subject has i n c i t e d c o n t r o v e r s y w i t h i n

T h e s t o r y b y w h i c h s u b j e c t i o n i s t o l d is, i n e v i t a b l y , c i r c u l a r ,

r e c e n t t h e o r e t i c a l debate, b e i n g p r o m o t e d b y s o m e a s a n e c -

p r e s u p p o s i n g the v e r y subject f o r w h i c h i t seeks t o g i v e a n ac-

essary p r e c o n d i t i o n of agency a n d r e v i l e d by others as a s i g n

c o u n t . O n the o n e h a n d , the subject c a n refer t o its o w n gene-

of "mastery" to be refused. My purpose is neither to enumer-

sis o n l y b y t a k i n g a t h i r d - p e r s o n p e r s p e c t i v e o n itself, that is,

ate n o r t o r e s o l v e the c o n t e m p o r a r y i n s t a n c e s o f t h i s debate.

b y d i s p o s s e s s i n g its o w n p e r s p e c t i v e i n the act o f n a r r a t i n g its

R a t h e r , I p r o p o s e to take a c c o u n t of h o w a p a r a d o x r e c u r r e n t l y

genesis. O n the o t h e r h a n d , the n a r r a t i o n o f h o w the subject

s t r u c t u r e s the debate, l e a d i n g i t a l m o s t a l w a y s t o c u l m i n a t e i n

i s c o n s t i t u t e d p r e s u p p o s e s that the c o n s t i t u t i o n has a l r e a d y

d i s p l a y s o f a m b i v a l e n c e . H o w c a n i t b e that the subject, t a k e n

t a k e n p l a c e , a n d t h u s a r r i v e s after the fact. T h e subject loses

t o b e the c o n d i t i o n for a n d i n s t r u m e n t o f agency, i s a t the s a m e

itself t o t e l l the s t o r y o f itself, b u t i n t e l l i n g the s t o r y o f i t s e l f

t i m e the effect o f s u b o r d i n a t i o n , u n d e r s t o o d a s the d e p r i v a -

seeks t o g i v e a n a c c o u n t o f w h a t the n a r r a t i v e f u n c t i o n has

t i o n o f a g e n c y ? I f s u b o r d i n a t i o n i s the c o n d i t i o n o f p o s s i b i l i t y

a l r e a d y m a d e p l a i n . W h a t does i t m e a n , t h e n , that the s u b -

f o r agency, h o w m i g h t a g e n c y b e t h o u g h t i n o p p o s i t i o n t o the

ject, d e f e n d e d by s o m e as a p r e s u p p o s i t i o n of agency, is a l s o

forces o f s u b o r d i n a t i o n ?

u n d e r s t o o d to be an effect of s u b j e c t i o n ? S u c h a f o r m u l a t i o n

" T h e subject" is sometimes b a n d i e d about as if it were inter-

suggests that i n the act o f o p p o s i n g s u b o r d i n a t i o n , the subject

c h a n g e a b l e w i t h "the p e r s o n " o r "the i n d i v i d u a l . " T h e g e n e a l -

reiterates its s u b j e c t i o n ( a n o t i o n s h a r e d b y b o t h p s y c h o a n a l y -

o g y of the subject as a c r i t i c a l category, h o w e v e r , suggests that

sis a n d F o u c a u l d i a n a c c o u n t s ) . H o w , t h e n , i s s u b j e c t i o n t o b e

the subject, r a t h e r t h a n b e i d e n t i f i e d s t r i c t l y w i t h the i n d i -

t h o u g h t a n d h o w c a n i t b e c o m e a site o f a l t e r a t i o n ? A p o w e r

v i d u a l , o u g h t to be d e s i g n a t e d as a l i n g u i s t i c category, a p l a c e -

exerted on a subject, s u b j e c t i o n is n e v e r t h e l e s s a p o w e r assumed

holder, a structure in formation. Individuals come to occupy

by the subject, an a s s u m p t i o n that c o n s t i t u t e s the i n s t r u m e n t

the site of the subject (the subject s i m u l t a n e o u s l y e m e r g e s as

of that subject's b e c o m i n g .

Introduction

12

Subjection

/

Subordination

Introduction

13

r e t a i n s the c o n d i t i o n s o f its e m e r g e n c e , t h i s d o e s n o t i m p l y that a l l o f its a g e n c y r e m a i n s t e t h e r e d t o those c o n d i t i o n s

T h e d o u b l e aspect of s u b j e c t i o n a p p e a r s to l e a d to a v i c i o u s

a n d that those c o n d i t i o n s r e m a i n the s a m e i n e v e r y o p e r a t i o n

c i r c l e : the a g e n c y of the subject a p p e a r s to be an effect of its

o f agency. A s s u m i n g p o w e r i s n o t a s t r a i g h t f o r w a r d task o f

s u b o r d i n a t i o n . A n y effort t o o p p o s e that s u b o r d i n a t i o n w i l l

t a k i n g p o w e r f r o m one place, transferring it intact, a n d then

n e c e s s a r i l y p r e s u p p o s e a n d r e i n v o k e it. L u c k i l y , the s t o r y s u r -

a n d t h e r e m a k i n g i t o n e ' s o w n ; the act o f a p p r o p r i a t i o n m a y

v i v e s t h i s i m p a s s e . W h a t d o e s i t m e a n for the a g e n c y o f a s u b -

i n v o l v e a n a l t e r a t i o n o f p o w e r s u c h that the p o w e r a s s u m e d

ject to presuppose its o w n s u b o r d i n a t i o n ? Is the act of presuppos-

o r a p p r o p r i a t e d w o r k s a g a i n s t the p o w e r that m a d e that as-

ing the s a m e as the act of reinstating, or is there a d i s c o n t i n u i t y

s u m p t i o n possible. W h e r e conditions of subordination make

b e t w e e n the p o w e r p r e s u p p o s e d a n d the p o w e r r e i n s t a t e d ?

p o s s i b l e the a s s u m p t i o n o f p o w e r , the p o w e r a s s u m e d r e m a i n s

C o n s i d e r that i n the v e r y act b y w h i c h the subject r e p r o d u c e s

t i e d t o those c o n d i t i o n s , b u t i n a n a m b i v a l e n t w a y ; i n fact, the

the c o n d i t i o n s o f its o w n s u b o r d i n a t i o n , the subject e x e m p l i -

p o w e r a s s u m e d m a y a t o n c e r e t a i n a n d resist that s u b o r d i n a -

fies a t e m p o r a l l y b a s e d v u l n e r a b i l i t y that b e l o n g s to those c o n -

t i o n . T h i s c o n c l u s i o n is n o t to be t h o u g h t of as (a) a r e s i s t a n c e

d i t i o n s , s p e c i f i c a l l y , t o the e x i g e n c i e s o f t h e i r r e n e w a l . P o w e r

that is really a r e c u p e r a t i o n of p o w e r or (b) a r e c u p e r a t i o n that

c o n s i d e r e d as a c o n d i t i o n of the subject is n e c e s s a r i l y n o t the

is really a resistance. It is b o t h at o n c e , a n d t h i s a m b i v a l e n c e

s a m e a s p o w e r c o n s i d e r e d a s w h a t the subject i s s a i d t o w i e l d .

f o r m s the b i n d o f agency.

T h e p o w e r that i n i t i a t e s the subject fails t o r e m a i n c o n t i n u -

A c c o r d i n g t o the f o r m u l a t i o n o f s u b j e c t i o n a s b o t h the s u b -

o u s w i t h the p o w e r that i s the subject's agency. A s i g n i f i c a n t

o r d i n a t i o n a n d b e c o m i n g o f the subject, p o w e r is, a s s u b o r d i -

a n d p o t e n t i a l l y e n a b l i n g r e v e r s a l o c c u r s w h e n p o w e r shifts

n a t i o n , a set of c o n d i t i o n s that p r e c e d e s the subject, e f f e c t i n g

f r o m its status as a c o n d i t i o n of a g e n c y to the subject's " o w n "

a n d s u b o r d i n a t i n g the subject f r o m the o u t s i d e . T h i s f o r m u l a -

a g e n c y ( c o n s t i t u t i n g a n a p p e a r a n c e o f p o w e r i n w h i c h the s u b -

t i o n falters, h o w e v e r , w h e n w e c o n s i d e r that t h e r e i s n o s u b -

ject a p p e a r s a s the c o n d i t i o n o f its " o w n " p o w e r ) . H o w are w e

ject p r i o r to t h i s effect. P o w e r n o t o n l y acts on a subject b u t ,

to assess that b e c o m i n g ? Is it an e n a b l i n g b r e a k , a b a d b r e a k ?

in a t r a n s i t i v e sense, enacts the subject i n t o b e i n g . As a c o n d i -

H o w i s i t that the p o w e r u p o n w h i c h the subject d e p e n d s f o r

t i o n , p o w e r p r e c e d e s the subject. P o w e r loses its a p p e a r a n c e

e x i s t e n c e a n d w h i c h the subject i s c o m p e l l e d t o reiterate t u r n s

o f p r i o r i t y , h o w e v e r , w h e n i t i s w i e l d e d b y the subject, a s i t u a -

a g a i n s t itself i n the c o u r s e o f that r e i t e r a t i o n ? H o w m i g h t w e

t i o n that g i v e s r i s e t o the r e v e r s e p e r s p e c t i v e that p o w e r i s the

t h i n k r e s i s t a n c e w i t h i n the t e r m s o f r e i t e r a t i o n ?

effect of the subject, a n d that p o w e r is w h a t subjects effect. A

S u c h a v i e w suggests that a g e n c y c a n n o t l o g i c a l l y b e d e -

c o n d i t i o n d o e s n o t e n a b l e o r enact w i t h o u t b e c o m i n g p r e s e n t .

r i v e d f r o m its c o n d i t i o n s , that n o c o n t i n u i t y i s t o b e a s s u m e d

B e c a u s e P o w e r i s n o t i n t a c t p r i o r t o the subject, the a p p e a r -

b e t w e e n (a) w h a t m a k e s p o w e r p o s s i b l e a n d (b) the k i n d s

a n c e o f its p r i o r i t y d i s a p p e a r s a s p o w e r acts o n the subject,

o f p o s s i b i l i t i e s that p o w e r a s s u m e s . I f i n a c t i n g the subject

a n d the subject i s i n a u g u r a t e d ( a n d d e r i v e d ) t h r o u g h t h i s tern-

14

Introduction

Introduction

15

p o r a l r e v e r s a l i n the h o r i z o n o f p o w e r . A s the a g e n c y o f the

a n d as the condition of possibility for a r a d i c a l l y c o n d i t i o n e d

subject, p o w e r a s s u m e s its p r e s e n t t e m p o r a l d i m e n s i o n .

f o r m of agency. A t h e o r y of the subject s h o u l d t a k e i n t o ac-

5

P o w e r acts o n the subject i n a t least t w o w a y s : first, a s w h a t m a k e s the subject p o s s i b l e , the c o n d i t i o n o f its p o s s i b i l i t y a n d

c o u n t the f u l l a m b i v a l e n c e o f the c o n d i t i o n s o f its o p e r a t i o n . T h e r e is, a s i t w e r e , n o c o n c e p t u a l t r a n s i t i o n t o b e m a d e b e -

its f o r m a t i v e o c c a s i o n , a n d s e c o n d , a s w h a t i s t a k e n u p a n d

t w e e n p o w e r a s e x t e r n a l t o the subject, " a c t i n g o n , " a n d p o w e r

r e i t e r a t e d i n the subject's " o w n " a c t i n g . A s a subject o f p o w e r

as c o n s t i t u t i v e of the subject, "acted by." W h a t o n e m i g h t ex-

( w h e r e "of" c o n n o t e s b o t h " b e l o n g i n g t o " a n d " w i e l d i n g " ) , the

pect b y w a y o f a t r a n s i t i o n is, i n fact, a s p l i t t i n g a n d r e v e r -

subject e c l i p s e s the c o n d i t i o n s o f its o w n e m e r g e n c e ; i t e c l i p s e s

s a l c o n s t i t u t i v e o f the subject itself. P o w e r acts o n the s u b -

p o w e r w i t h p o w e r . T h e c o n d i t i o n s n o t o n l y m a k e p o s s i b l e the

ject, a n a c t i n g that i s a n e n a c t i n g : a n i r r e s o l v a b l e a m b i g u i t y

subject b u t enter i n t o the subject's f o r m a t i o n . T h e y are m a d e

arises w h e n o n e a t t e m p t s t o d i s t i n g u i s h b e t w e e n the p o w e r

p r e s e n t i n the acts o f that f o r m a t i o n a n d i n the acts o f the s u b -

that ( t r a n s i t i v e l y ) enacts the subject, a n d the p o w e r e n a c t e d

ject that f o l l o w .

b y the subject, that is, b e t w e e n the p o w e r that f o r m s the s u b -

T h e n o t i o n o f p o w e r a t w o r k i n s u b j e c t i o n thus a p p e a r s i n

ject a n d the subject's " o w n " p o w e r . W h a t o r w h o i s d o i n g the

t w o i n c o m m e n s u r a b l e t e m p o r a l m o d a l i t i e s : first, a s w h a t i s

" e n a c t i n g " here? Is it a p o w e r p r i o r to the subject or that of

for the subject a l w a y s p r i o r , o u t s i d e o f itself, a n d o p e r a t i v e

the subject i t s e l f ? A t s o m e p o i n t , a r e v e r s a l a n d c o n c e a l m e n t

f r o m the start; s e c o n d , a s the w i l l e d effect o f the subject. T h i s

o c c u r s , a n d p o w e r e m e r g e s a s w h a t b e l o n g s e x c l u s i v e l y t o the

s e c o n d m o d a l i t y c a r r i e s at least t w o sets of m e a n i n g s : as the

subject ( m a k i n g the subject a p p e a r a s i f i t b e l o n g e d t o n o p r i o r

w i l l e d effect of the subject, s u b j e c t i o n is a s u b o r d i n a t i o n that

o p e r a t i o n o f p o w e r ) . M o r e o v e r , w h a t i s e n a c t e d b y the subject

the subject b r i n g s on itself; yet if s u b j e c t i o n p r o d u c e s a subject

i s e n a b l e d b u t n o t f i n a l l y c o n s t r a i n e d b y the p r i o r w o r k i n g o f

a n d a subject is the p r e c o n d i t i o n of agency, t h e n s u b j e c t i o n

p o w e r . A g e n c y e x c e e d s the p o w e r b y w h i c h i t i s e n a b l e d . O n e

i s the a c c o u n t b y w h i c h a subject b e c o m e s the g u a r a n t o r o f

m i g h t say that the p u r p o s e s o f p o w e r are n o t a l w a y s the p u r -

its r e s i s t a n c e a n d o p p o s i t i o n . W h e t h e r p o w e r i s c o n c e i v e d a s

p o s e s of agency. To the extent that the latter d i v e r g e f r o m the

p r i o r to the subject or as its i n s t r u m e n t a l effect, the v a c i l l a -

f o r m e r , a g e n c y is the a s s u m p t i o n of a p u r p o s e unintended by

t i o n b e t w e e n the t w o t e m p o r a l m o d a l i t i e s o f p o w e r ( " b e f o r e "

p o w e r , o n e that c o u l d n o t h a v e b e e n d e r i v e d l o g i c a l l y o r h i s -

a n d "after" the subject) has m a r k e d m o s t o f the debates o n the

t o r i c a l l y , that o p e r a t e s i n a r e l a t i o n o f c o n t i n g e n c y a n d r e v e r s a l

subject a n d the p r o b l e m o f agency. M a n y c o n v e r s a t i o n s o n the

t o the p o w e r that m a k e s i t p o s s i b l e , t o w h i c h i t n e v e r t h e l e s s

t o p i c h a v e b e c o m e m i r e d i n w h e t h e r the subject i s the c o n d i -

b e l o n g s . T h i s is, as it w e r e , the a m b i v a l e n t scene of agency,

t i o n o r the i m p a s s e o f agency. I n d e e d , b o t h q u a n d a r i e s h a v e

c o n s t r a i n e d b y n o t e l e o l o g i c a l necessity.

l e d m a n y t o c o n s i d e r the i s s u e o f the subject a s a n i n e v i t a b l e s t u m b l i n g b l o c k i n s o c i a l theory. P a r t o f t h i s d i f f i c u l t y , I s u g gest, is that the subject is itself a site of t h i s a m b i v a l e n c e in w h i c h the subject e m e r g e s b o t h as the effect of a p r i o r p o w e r

P o w e r i s b o t h e x t e r n a l t o the subject a n d the v e r y v e n u e o f the subject. T h i s a p p a r e n t c o n t r a d i c t i o n m a k e s sense w h e n w e u n d e r s t a n d that n o subject c o m e s i n t o b e i n g w i t h o u t p o w e r , b u t that its c o m i n g i n t o b e i n g i n v o l v e s the d i s s i m u l a t i o n o f

i6

Introduction

Introduction

p o w e r , a m e t a l e p t i c r e v e r s a l i n w h i c h the subject p r o d u c e d

resonates w i t h a l a r g e r c u l t u r a l a n d p o l i t i c a l p r e d i c a m e n t ,

b y p o w e r b e c o m e s h e r a l d e d a s the subject w h o founds p o w e r .

n a m e l y , h o w t o t a k e a n o p p o s i t i o n a l r e l a t i o n t o p o w e r that is,

T h i s f o u n d a t i o n a l i s m o f the subject i s a n effect o f a w o r k i n g

a d m i t t e d l y , i m p l i c a t e d i n the v e r y p o w e r o n e o p p o s e s . O f t e n

17

o f p o w e r , a n effect a c h i e v e d b y r e v e r s a l a n d c o n c e a l m e n t o f

t h i s p o s t l i b e r a t o r y i n s i g h t has l e d t o the c o n c l u s i o n that a l l

that p r i o r w o r k i n g . T h i s d o e s n o t m e a n that the subject c a n

a g e n c y here m e e t s its i m p a s s e . E i t h e r f o r m s o f c a p i t a l o r s y m -

b e reduced t o the p o w e r b y w h i c h i t i s o c c a s i o n e d , n o r does

b o l i c d o m i n a t i o n are h e l d t o b e s u c h that o u r acts are a l w a y s

i t m e a n that the p o w e r b y w h i c h i t i s o c c a s i o n e d i s reducible

a l r e a d y " d o m e s t i c a t e d " i n a d v a n c e , o r a set o f g e n e r a l i z e d a n d

to the subject. P o w e r is n e v e r m e r e l y a c o n d i t i o n e x t e r n a l or

t i m e l e s s i n s i g h t s i s o f f e r e d i n t o the a p o r e t i c s t r u c t u r e o f a l l

p r i o r t o the subject, n o r c a n i t b e e x c l u s i v e l y i d e n t i f i e d w i t h

m o v e m e n t s t o w a r d a f u t u r e . I w o u l d suggest that n o h i s t o r i -

the subject. I f c o n d i t i o n s o f p o w e r are t o p e r s i s t , t h e y m u s t b e

cal o r l o g i c a l conclusions f o l l o w necessarily f r o m this p r i m a r y

r e i t e r a t e d ; the subject is p r e c i s e l y the site of s u c h r e i t e r a t i o n ,

c o m p l i c i t y w i t h s u b o r d i n a t i o n , b u t that s o m e p o s s i b i l i t i e s t e n -

a r e p e t i t i o n that i s n e v e r m e r e l y m e c h a n i c a l . A s the a p p e a r -

tatively do. That agency is i m p l i c a t e d in s u b o r d i n a t i o n is not

a n c e o f p o w e r shifts f r o m the c o n d i t i o n o f the subject t o its

the s i g n of a fatal s e l f - c o n t r a d i c t i o n at the c o r e of the subject

effects, the c o n d i t i o n s o f p o w e r ( p r i o r a n d external) a s s u m e

a n d , h e n c e , f u r t h e r p r o o f o f its p e r n i c i o u s o r o b s o l e t e c h a r -

a present a n d f u t u r a l f o r m . But p o w e r assumes this present

acter. B u t n e i t h e r d o e s it r e s t o r e a p r i s t i n e n o t i o n of the s u b -

c h a r a c t e r t h r o u g h a r e v e r s a l o f its d i r e c t i o n , o n e that p e r f o r m s

ject, d e r i v e d f r o m s o m e c l a s s i c a l l i b e r a l - h u m a n i s t f o r m u l a t i o n ,

a b r e a k w i t h w h a t has c o m e b e f o r e a n d d i s s i m u l a t e s as a self-

w h o s e a g e n c y i s a l w a y s a n d o n l y o p p o s e d t o p o w e r . T h e first

i n a u g u r a t i n g agency. T h e r e i t e r a t i o n o f p o w e r n o t o n l y t e m -

v i e w characterizes p o l i t i c a l l y s a n c t i m o n i o u s f o r m s of fatal-

p o r a l i z e s the c o n d i t i o n s o f s u b o r d i n a t i o n b u t s h o w s these c o n -

i s m ; the s e c o n d , n a i v e f o r m s o f p o l i t i c a l o p t i m i s m . I h o p e t o

d i t i o n s t o be, n o t static s t r u c t u r e s , b u t t e m p o r a l i z e d — a c t i v e

steer c l e a r o f b o t h these a l t e r n a t i v e s .

a n d productive. The temporalization performed by reiteration

T h e subject m i g h t yet b e t h o u g h t a s d e r i v i n g its a g e n c y

traces the r o u t e b y w h i c h p o w e r ' s a p p e a r a n c e shifts a n d r e -

f r o m p r e c i s e l y the p o w e r i t o p p o s e s , a s a w k w a r d a n d e m b a r -

verses: the p e r s p e c t i v e o f p o w e r alters f r o m w h a t i s a l w a y s

r a s s i n g a s s u c h a f o r m u l a t i o n m i g h t be, e s p e c i a l l y f o r those

w o r k i n g o n u s f r o m the o u t s i d e a n d f r o m the outset t o w h a t

w h o b e l i e v e that c o m p l i c i t y a n d a m b i v a l e n c e c o u l d b e r o o t e d

c o n s t i t u t e s the sense o f a g e n c y a t w o r k i n o u r p r e s e n t acts a n d

o u t o n c e a n d for a l l . I f the subject i s neither f u l l y d e t e r m i n e d b y

the f u t u r a l e x p a n s e o f t h e i r effects.

p o w e r nor f u l l y d e t e r m i n i n g o f p o w e r (but s i g n i f i c a n t l y a n d

A l t h o u g h this study is indebted to Foucault 's f o r m u l a t i o n

p a r t i a l l y b o t h ) , the subject e x c e e d s the l o g i c o f n o n c o n t r a d i c -

o f the p r o b l e m o f assujetissement i n h i s essays " T h e Subject o f

t i o n , i s a n e x c r e s c e n c e o f l o g i c , a s i t w e r e . T o c l a i m that the

P o w e r " a n d the " T w o L e c t u r e s " p u b l i s h e d i n Power/Knowledge,

subject exceeds e i t h e r / o r i s n o t t o c l a i m that i t l i v e s i n s o m e

a s w e l l a s t o h i s m a n y d i s c u s s i o n s o f the subject o f d e s i r e a n d

free z o n e o f its o w n m a k i n g . E x c e e d i n g i s n o t e s c a p i n g , a n d

the subject of l a w in History of Sexuality, Volumes 1 and 2 a n d

the subject exceeds p r e c i s e l y that t o w h i c h i t i s b o u n d . I n t h i s

Discipline and Punish? the f o r m u l a t i o n of the subject at i s s u e

sense, the subject c a n n o t q u e l l the a m b i v a l e n c e b y w h i c h i t i s

7

r Introduction

Introduction

constituted. P a i n f u l , d y n a m i c , a n d p r o m i s i n g , this v a c i l l a t i o n

a n c h o l i a that w o r k i n t a n d e m w i t h p r o c e s s e s o f s o c i a l r e g u l a -

b e t w e e n the a l r e a d y - t h e r e a n d the y e t - t o - c o m e is a c r o s s r o a d s

t i o n . A n d yet, i f w e refuse the o n t o l o g i c a l d u a l i s m that p o s i t s

that rejoins e v e r y step b y w h i c h i t i s t r a v e r s e d , a r e i t e r a t e d

the s e p a r a t i o n o f the p o l i t i c a l a n d the p s y c h i c , i t s e e m s c r u -

a m b i v a l e n c e at the heart of agency. P o w e r r e a r t i c u l a t e d is " r e " -

c i a l t o offer a c r i t i c a l a c c o u n t o f p s y c h i c s u b j e c t i o n i n t e r m s

a r t i c u l a t e d i n the sense o f a l r e a d y d o n e a n d " r e " - a r t i c u l a t e d i n

o f the r e g u l a t o r y a n d p r o d u c t i v e effects o f p o w e r . I f f o r m s

the sense o f d o n e over, d o n e a g a i n , d o n e a n e w . W h a t r e m a i n

o f r e g u l a t o r y p o w e r are s u s t a i n e d i n p a r t t h r o u g h the f o r m a -

18

19

t o b e c o n s i d e r e d are: (a) h o w the f o r m a t i o n o f the subject i n -

t i o n o f a subject, a n d i f that f o r m a t i o n takes p l a c e a c c o r d i n g

v o l v e s the r e g u l a t o r y f o r m a t i o n o f the p s y c h e , i n c l u d i n g h o w

t o the r e q u i r e m e n t s o f p o w e r , s p e c i f i c a l l y , a s the i n c o r p o r a -

w e m i g h t r e j o i n the d i s c o u r s e o f p o w e r w i t h the d i s c o u r s e

t i o n o f n o r m s , t h e n a t h e o r y o f subject f o r m a t i o n m u s t g i v e

o f p s y c h o a n a l y s i s ; a n d (b) h o w w e m i g h t m a k e s u c h a c o n -

a n a c c o u n t o f t h i s p r o c e s s o f i n c o r p o r a t i o n , a n d the n o t i o n o f

c e p t i o n o f the subject w o r k a s a n o t i o n o f p o l i t i c a l a g e n c y i n

i n c o r p o r a t i o n m u s t b e i n t e r r o g a t e d t o a s c e r t a i n the p s y c h i c

postliberatory times.

t o p o g r a p h y i t a s s u m e s . H o w d o e s the s u b j e c t i o n o f d e s i r e r e q u i r e a n d i n s t i t u t e the d e s i r e for s u b j e c t i o n ?

Regulations of the Psyche

I n c l a i m i n g that s o c i a l n o r m s are i n t e r n a l i z e d , w e h a v e n o t yet e x p l a i n e d w h a t i n c o r p o r a t i o n or, m o r e g e n e r a l l y , i n t e r n a l -

I f p o w e r w o r k s n o t m e r e l y t o d o m i n a t e o r o p p r e s s exist-

i z a t i o n is, w h a t i t m e a n s f o r a n o r m t o b e c o m e i n t e r n a l i z e d

i n g subjects, b u t a l s o t o f o r m subjects, w h a t i s t h i s f o r m a t i o n ?

o r w h a t h a p p e n s t o the n o r m i n the p r o c e s s o f i n t e r n a l i z a t i o n .

O b v i o u s l y , p o w e r d o e s n o t b r i n g p e r s o n s i n t o the w o r l d i n

I s the n o r m first " o u t s i d e , " a n d d o e s i t t h e n enter i n t o a p r e -

a n y o r d i n a r y sense. F o u c a u l t l i n k s the f o r m a t i v e o r p r o d u c -

g i v e n p s y c h i c space, u n d e r s t o o d a s a n i n t e r i o r theater o f s o m e

tive character of p o w e r to regulatory a n d d i s c i p l i n a r y regimes.

k i n d ? O r d o e s the i n t e r n a l i z a t i o n o f the n o r m c o n t r i b u t e t o

In Discipline and Punish, c r i m e p r o d u c e s a class of c r i m i n a l s ,

the p r o d u c t i o n o f i n t e r n a l i t y ? D o e s the n o r m , h a v i n g b e c o m e

c r a f t e d b o d i l y i n the g e s t u r e a n d s t y l e o f i m p r i s o n m e n t . B u t

p s y c h i c , i n v o l v e n o t o n l y the i n t e r i o r i z a t i o n o f the n o r m , b u t

h o w are w e t o u n d e r s t a n d t h i s sense o f p r o d u c t i o n a n d craft-

the i n t e r i o r i z a t i o n o f the p s y c h e ? 1 a r g u e that t h i s p r o c e s s o f

ing? The formative d i m e n s i o n of p o w e r is to be u n d e r s t o o d

i n t e r n a l i z a t i o n fabricates the distinction between interior and ex-

i n a n o n m e c h a n i s t i c a n d n o n b e h a v i o r i s t i c f a s h i o n . I t does n o t

terior life, o f f e r i n g us a d i s t i n c t i o n b e t w e e n the p s y c h i c a n d the

9

a l w a y s p r o d u c e a c c o r d i n g t o a p u r p o s e , o r rather, its p r o d u c -

s o c i a l that differs s i g n i f i c a n t l y f r o m a n a c c o u n t o f the p s y c h i c

t i o n i s s u c h that i t o f t e n exceeds o r alters the p u r p o s e s f o r

i n t e r n a l i z a t i o n o f n o r m s . M o r e o v e r , g i v e n that n o r m s are n o t

w h i c h it produces.

i n t e r n a l i z e d i n m e c h a n i c a l o r f u l l y p r e d i c t a b l e w a y s , d o e s the

8

F o u c a u l t i s n o t o r i o u s l y t a c i t u r n o n the

t o p i c o f the p s y c h e , b u t a n a c c o u n t o f s u b j e c t i o n , i t seems,

n o r m a s s u m e a n o t h e r c h a r a c t e r as a psychic p h e n o m e n o n ? In

m u s t b e t r a c e d i n the t u r n s o f p s y c h i c life. M o r e s p e c i f i c a l l y , i t

p a r t i c u l a r , h o w are w e t o a c c o u n t f o r the d e s i r e f o r the n o r m

m u s t b e t r a c e d i n the p e c u l i a r t u r n i n g o f a subject a g a i n s t itself

a n d for subjection m o r e generally in terms of a p r i o r desire

that takes p l a c e i n acts o f s e l f - r e p r o a c h , c o n s c i e n c e , a n d m e l -

for s o c i a l existence, a d e s i r e e x p l o i t e d b y r e g u l a t o r y p o w e r ?

Introduction

Introduction

W h e r e s o c i a l categories g u a r a n t e e a r e c o g n i z a b l e a n d e n d u r -

t i o n e x p l o i t s the d e s i r e for existence, w h e r e e x i s t e n c e i s a l w a y s

i n g s o c i a l existence, the e m b r a c e o f s u c h categories, e v e n a s

conferred f r o m elsewhere; it m a r k s a p r i m a r y v u l n e r a b i l i t y to

t h e y w o r k i n the s e r v i c e o f s u b j e c t i o n , i s o f t e n p r e f e r r e d t o n o

the O t h e r i n o r d e r t o be.

20

s o c i a l e x i s t e n c e a t a l l . H o w i s it, t h e n , that the l o n g i n g for s u b -

21

A s s u m i n g t e r m s o f p o w e r that o n e n e v e r m a d e b u t t o w h i c h

j e c t i o n , b a s e d o n a l o n g i n g for s o c i a l existence, r e c a l l i n g a n d

one i s v u l n e r a b l e , o n w h i c h o n e d e p e n d s i n o r d e r t o be, a p -

exploiting p r i m a r y dependencies, emerges as an instrument

p e a r s to be a m u n d a n e s u b j e c t i o n at the b a s i s of subject f o r -

a n d effect o f the p o w e r o f subjection?

mation. " A s s u m i n g " p o w e r is no s i m p l e process, however, for

T o u n d e r s c o r e the abuses o f p o w e r a s r e a l , n o t the c r e a t i o n

p o w e r is not m e c h a n i c a l l y r e p r o d u c e d w h e n it is assumed.

or f a n t a s y of the subject, p o w e r is o f t e n cast as u n e q u i v o c a l l y

I n s t e a d , o n b e i n g a s s u m e d , p o w e r r u n s the r i s k o f a s s u m i n g

e x t e r n a l t o the subject, s o m e t h i n g i m p o s e d a g a i n s t the s u b -

another f o r m a n d direction. If conditions of p o w e r do not u n i -

ject's w i l l . B u t i f the v e r y p r o d u c t i o n o f the subject a n d the

l a t e r a l l y p r o d u c e subjects, t h e n w h a t i s the t e m p o r a l a n d l o g i -

f o r m a t i o n o f that w i l l are the c o n s e q u e n c e s o f a p r i m a r y s u b -

c a l f o r m that the a s s u m p t i o n o f p o w e r takes? A r e d e s c r i p t i o n

o r d i n a t i o n , t h e n the v u l n e r a b i l i t y of the subject to a p o w e r n o t

o f the d o m a i n o f p s y c h i c s u b j e c t i o n i s n e e d e d t o m a k e c l e a r

o f its o w n m a k i n g i s u n a v o i d a b l e . T h a t v u l n e r a b i l i t y q u a l i f i e s

h o w s o c i a l p o w e r p r o d u c e s m o d e s o f r e f l e x i v i t y a t the s a m e

the subject a s a n e x p l o i t a b l e k i n d o f b e i n g . I f o n e i s t o o p p o s e

t i m e a s i t l i m i t s f o r m s o f s o c i a l i t y . I n o t h e r w o r d s , t o the ex-

the abuses o f p o w e r ( w h i c h i s n o t the s a m e a s o p p o s i n g p o w e r

tent that n o r m s o p e r a t e a s p s y c h i c p h e n o m e n a , r e s t r i c t i n g a n d

itself), i t seems w i s e t o c o n s i d e r i n w h a t o u r v u l n e r a b i l i t y t o

p r o d u c i n g d e s i r e , t h e y also g o v e r n the f o r m a t i o n o f the subject

that a b u s e consists. T h a t subjects are c o n s t i t u t e d i n p r i m a r y

a n d c i r c u m s c r i b e the d o m a i n o f a l i v a b l e s o c i a l i t y . T h e p s y c h i c

v u l n e r a b i l i t y d o e s n o t e x o n e r a t e the abuses t h e y suffer; o n the

o p e r a t i o n o f the n o r m offers a m o r e i n s i d i o u s r o u t e f o r r e g u -

c o n t r a r y , i t m a k e s a l l the m o r e c l e a r h o w f u n d a m e n t a l the v u l -

l a t o r y p o w e r t h a n e x p l i c i t c o e r c i o n , o n e w h o s e success a l l o w s

n e r a b i l i t y c a n be.

its tacit o p e r a t i o n w i t h i n the s o c i a l . A n d yet, b e i n g p s y c h i c ,

H o w i s i t that the subject i s the k i n d o f b e i n g w h o c a n b e

the n o r m d o e s n o t m e r e l y r e i n s t a t e s o c i a l p o w e r , i t b e c o m e s

e x p l o i t e d , w h o is, b y v i r t u e o f its o w n f o r m a t i o n , v u l n e r a b l e

formative a n d vulnerable in h i g h l y specific ways. The social

t o s u b j u g a t i o n ? B o u n d t o seek r e c o g n i t i o n o f its o w n e x i s t e n c e

c a t e g o r i z a t i o n s that e s t a b l i s h the v u l n e r a b i l i t y of the subject to

i n categories, t e r m s , a n d n a m e s that are n o t o f its o w n m a k i n g ,

l a n g u a g e are t h e m s e l v e s v u l n e r a b l e t o b o t h p s y c h i c a n d h i s -

the subject seeks the s i g n o f its o w n e x i s t e n c e o u t s i d e itself,

t o r i c a l change. T h i s v i e w c o u n t e r s a n u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f a p s y -

i n a d i s c o u r s e that i s a t o n c e d o m i n a n t a n d i n d i f f e r e n t . S o c i a l

c h i c o r l i n g u i s t i c n o r m a t i v i t y (as i n s o m e v e r s i o n s o f the S y m -

categories s i g n i f y s u b o r d i n a t i o n a n d e x i s t e n c e a t once. I n o t h e r

b o l i c ) that i s p r i o r t o the s o c i a l o r sets c o n s t r a i n t s o n the s o c i a l .

w o r d s , w i t h i n s u b j e c t i o n the p r i c e o f e x i s t e n c e i s s u b o r d i n a -

Just a s the subject i s d e r i v e d f r o m c o n d i t i o n s o f p o w e r that p r e -

t i o n . P r e c i s e l y a t the m o m e n t i n w h i c h c h o i c e i s i m p o s s i b l e ,

cede it, s o the p s y c h i c o p e r a t i o n o f the n o r m i s d e r i v e d , t h o u g h

the subject p u r s u e s s u b o r d i n a t i o n as the p r o m i s e of existence.

not mechanically or predictably, f r o m p r i o r social operations.

T h i s p u r s u i t i s n o t c h o i c e , b u t n e i t h e r i s i t necessity. Subjec-

P s y c h i c subjection m a r k s a specific m o d a l i t y of subjection.

22

Introduction

Introduction

23

I t does n o t s i m p l y reflect o r r e p r e s e n t b r o a d e r r e l a t i o n s o f

W h a t i s the m e a n s b y w h i c h d e s i r e i s u n d e r s t o o d t o b e

social p o w e r — e v e n as it remains importantly tied to them.

curbed, d o u b l e d back, or even prohibited? Reflection on desire

F r e u d a n d N i e t z s c h e offer d i f f e r i n g a c c o u n t s o f subject f o r m a -

absorbs d e s i r e i n t o r e f l e c t i o n : w e w i l l see h o w this w o r k s i n

t i o n that r e l y o n the p r o d u c t i v i t y o f the n o r m . B o t h a c c o u n t

H e g e l . B u t there i s a n o t h e r o r d e r o f p r o h i b i t i o n , o n e w h i c h

for the f a b r i c a t i o n of c o n s c i e n c e as the effect of an i n t e r n a l i z e d

falls o u t s i d e the c i r c u i t o f s e l f - r e f l e c t i o n . F r e u d d i s t i n g u i s h e s

p r o h i b i t i o n (thereby establishing " p r o h i b i t i o n " as not o n l y p r i -

b e t w e e n r e p r e s s i o n a n d f o r e c l o s u r e , s u g g e s t i n g that a r e -

vative, but productive). In F r e u d a n d Nietzsche, a p r o h i b i t i o n

p r e s s e d d e s i r e m i g h t o n c e h a v e l i v e d a p a r t f r o m its p r o h i b i -

o n a c t i o n o r e x p r e s s i o n i s s a i d t o t u r n "the d r i v e "

t i o n , b u t that f o r e c l o s e d d e s i r e i s r i g o r o u s l y b a r r e d , c o n s t i -

1 0

back on

itself, f a b r i c a t i n g a n i n t e r n a l s p h e r e , the c o n d i t i o n for self-

t u t i n g the subject t h r o u g h a c e r t a i n k i n d o f p r e e m p t i v e loss.

i n s p e c t i o n a n d r e f l e x i v i t y . T h e d r i v e t u r n i n g b a c k u p o n itself

E l s e w h e r e I h a v e s u g g e s t e d that the f o r e c l o s u r e of h o m o -

b e c o m e s the p r e c i p i t a t i n g c o n d i t i o n of subject f o r m a t i o n , a

s e x u a l i t y a p p e a r s to be f o u n d a t i o n a l to a c e r t a i n h e t e r o s e x u a l

p r i m a r y l o n g i n g i n r e c o i l that i s t r a c e d i n H e g e l ' s v i e w o f the

v e r s i o n o f the subject.

u n h a p p y c o n s c i o u s n e s s a s w e l l . W h e t h e r the d o u b l i n g b a c k

someone of similar gender and "I have never lost" any such

u p o n itself i s p e r f o r m e d b y p r i m a r y l o n g i n g s , d e s i r e , o r d r i v e s ,

p e r s o n p r e d i c a t e s the " I " o n the " n e v e r - n e v e r " o f that l o v e a n d

i t p r o d u c e s i n e a c h i n s t a n c e a p s y c h i c h a b i t o f self-beratement,

loss. I n d e e d , the o n t o l o g i c a l a c c o m p l i s h m e n t o f h e t e r o s e x u a l

o n e that is c o n s o l i d a t e d o v e r t i m e as c o n s c i e n c e .

" b e i n g " i s t r a c e d t o t h i s d o u b l e n e g a t i o n , w h i c h f o r m s its c o n -

C o n s c i e n c e i s the m e a n s b y w h i c h a subject b e c o m e s a n object f o r itself, r e f l e c t i n g on itself, e s t a b l i s h i n g itself as r e flective a n d reflexive. T h e "I" i s n o t s i m p l y o n e w h o t h i n k s

11

The formula "I have never l o v e d "

s t i t u t i v e m e l a n c h o l i a , a n e m p h a t i c a n d i r r e v e r s i b l e loss that f o r m s the t e n u o u s basis o f that " b e i n g . " Significantly, F r e u d identifies heightened conscience a n d

a b o u t h i m - o r herself; i t i s d e f i n e d b y t h i s c a p a c i t y for r e -

self-beratement a s o n e s i g n o f m e l a n c h o l i a , the c o n d i t i o n o f

flective s e l f - r e l a t i o n o r r e f l e x i v i t y . F o r N i e t z s c h e , r e f l e x i v i t y i s

u n c o m p l e t e d grief. T h e f o r e c l o s u r e o f c e r t a i n f o r m s o f l o v e

a c o n s e q u e n c e o f c o n s c i e n c e ; s e l f - k n o w i n g f o l l o w s f r o m self-

suggests that the m e l a n c h o l i a that g r o u n d s the subject ( a n d

p u n i s h m e n t . ( T h u s o n e n e v e r " k n o w s " o n e s e l f p r i o r t o the r e -

h e n c e a l w a y s threatens t o u n s e t t l e a n d d i s r u p t that g r o u n d )

c o i l of desire in question.) In order to c u r b desire, one makes

s i g n a l s a n i n c o m p l e t e a n d i r r e s o l v a b l e grief. U n o w n e d a n d i n -

o f oneself a n object f o r r e f l e c t i o n ; i n the c o u r s e o f p r o d u c -

c o m p l e t e , m e l a n c h o l i a is the l i m i t to the subject's sense of pou-

i n g one's o w n a l t e r i t y , o n e b e c o m e s e s t a b l i s h e d a s a r e f l e x i v e

voir, its sense o f w h a t i t c a n a c c o m p l i s h a n d , i n that sense, its

b e i n g , o n e w h o c a n take oneself a s a n object. R e f l e x i v i t y b e -

p o w e r . M e l a n c h o l i a rifts the subject, m a r k i n g a l i m i t t o w h a t i t

c o m e s the m e a n s b y w h i c h d e s i r e i s r e g u l a r l y t r a n s m u t e d i n t o

c a n a c c o m m o d a t e . B e c a u s e the subject d o e s n o t , c a n n o t , reflect

the c i r c u i t o f self-reflection. T h e d o u b l i n g b a c k o f d e s i r e that

o n that loss, that loss m a r k s the l i m i t o f r e f l e x i v i t y , that w h i c h

culminates in reflexivity produces, however, another order of

exceeds ( a n d c o n d i t i o n s ) its c i r c u i t r y . U n d e r s t o o d a s f o r e c l o -

d e s i r e : the d e s i r e for that v e r y c i r c u i t , for r e f l e x i v i t y a n d , u l t i -

s u r e , that loss i n a u g u r a t e s the subject a n d threatens i t w i t h

m a t e l y , for s u b j e c t i o n .

dissolution.

24

Introduction

Introduction

25

C o n s i d e r e d a l o n g N i e t z s c h e a n a n d H e g e l i a n l i n e s , the s u b -

latter case, the f o r e c l o s u r e m i g h t b e u s e f u l l y r e l i n k e d w i t h the

ject engages i n its o w n s e l f - t h w a r t i n g , a c c o m p l i s h e s its o w n

Foucauldian notion of a regulatory ideal, an ideal according

s u b j e c t i o n , d e s i r e s a n d crafts its o w n s h a c k l e s , a n d s o t u r n s

to w h i c h certain f o r m s of love become possible a n d others,

a g a i n s t a d e s i r e that i t k n o w s t o b e — o r k n e w t o b e — i t s o w n .

impossible. W i t h i n psychoanalysis, we think of social sanction

F o r a loss t o p r e d a t e the subject, t o m a k e i t p o s s i b l e ( a n d i m -

a s e n c o d e d i n the e g o - i d e a l a n d p a t r o l l e d b y the s u p e r - e g o .

p o s s i b l e ) , w e m u s t c o n s i d e r the p a r t that loss p l a y s i n subject

But what might it mean to think of social sanction as w o r k i n g ,

f o r m a t i o n . Is there a loss that c a n n o t be t h o u g h t , c a n n o t be

t h r o u g h f o r e c l o s u r e , t o p r o d u c e the p o s s i b l e d o m a i n i n w h i c h

o w n e d o r g r i e v e d , w h i c h f o r m s the c o n d i t i o n o f p o s s i b i l i t y f o r

l o v e a n d loss c a n o p e r a t e ? A s f o r e c l o s u r e , the s a n c t i o n w o r k s

the subject? Is t h i s w h a t H e g e l c a l l e d "the loss of the loss," a

not to p r o h i b i t existing desire but to p r o d u c e certain k i n d s of

f o r e c l o s u r e that c o n s t i t u t e s a n u n k n o w a b i l i t y w i t h o u t w h i c h

objects a n d to.bar o t h e r s f r o m the f i e l d o f s o c i a l p r o d u c t i o n . I n

the subject c a n n o t e n d u r e , a n i g n o r a n c e a n d m e l a n c h o l i a that

t h i s w a y , the s a n c t i o n d o e s n o t w o r k a c c o r d i n g t o the r e p r e s -

m a k e s p o s s i b l e a l l c l a i m s o f k n o w l e d g e a s one's o w n ? I s t h e r e

sive h y p o t h e s i s , a s p o s t u l a t e d a n d c r i t i c i z e d b y F o u c a u l t , b u t

not a l o n g i n g to g r i e v e — a n d , equivalently, an inability to

as a m e c h a n i s m of p r o d u c t i o n , o n e that c a n o p e r a t e , h o w e v e r ,

g r i e v e — t h a t w h i c h o n e n e v e r w a s able t o l o v e , a l o v e that f a l l s

o n the b a s i s o f a n o r i g i n a r y v i o l e n c e .

12

s h o r t of the " c o n d i t i o n s of e x i s t e n c e " ? T h i s is a loss n o t m e r e l y

I n the w o r k o f M e l a n i e K l e i n , g u i l t a p p e a r s t o e m e r g e , n o t

o f the object o r s o m e set o f objects, b u t o f l o v e ' s o w n p o s s i -

in consequence of internalizing an external prohibition, but as

b i l i t y : the loss o f the a b i l i t y t o l o v e , the u n f i n i s h a b l e g r i e v i n g

a w a y o f p r e s e r v i n g the object o f l o v e f r o m one's o w n p o t e n -

f o r that w h i c h f o u n d s the subject. O n the o n e h a n d , m e l a n c h o -

t i a l l y o b l i t e r a t i n g v i o l e n c e . G u i l t serves the f u n c t i o n o f p r e -

l i a i s a n a t t a c h m e n t that s u b s t i t u t e s f o r a n a t t a c h m e n t that i s

s e r v i n g the object o f l o v e a n d , hence, o f p r e s e r v i n g l o v e itself.

b r o k e n , gone, o r i m p o s s i b l e ; o n the o t h e r h a n d , m e l a n c h o l i a

What might it mean to understand guilt, then, as a w a y in

c o n t i n u e s the t r a d i t i o n o f i m p o s s i b i l i t y , a s i t w e r e , that b e l o n g s

w h i c h l o v e p r e s e r v e s the object i t m i g h t o t h e r w i s e d e s t r o y ?

t o the a t t a c h m e n t f o r w h i c h i t s u b s t i t u t e s .

As a s t o p g a p a g a i n s t a s a d i s t i c d e s t r u c t i o n , g u i l t s i g n a l s less

T h e r e are, o f c o u r s e , v a r i o u s w a y s o f r e f u s i n g t o l o v e , n o t

the p s y c h i c p r e s e n c e o f a n o r i g i n a l l y s o c i a l a n d e x t e r n a l n o r m

all of w h i c h qualify as foreclosure. But what happens w h e n

t h a n a c o u n t e r v a i l i n g d e s i r e t o c o n t i n u e the object o n e w i s h e s

a c e r t a i n f o r e c l o s u r e o f l o v e b e c o m e s the c o n d i t i o n o f p o s s i -

d e a d . I t i s i n t h i s sense that g u i l t e m e r g e s i n the c o u r s e o f

b i l i t y f o r s o c i a l e x i s t e n c e ? D o e s this n o t p r o d u c e a s o c i a l i t y

m e l a n c h o l i a n o t o n l y , a s the F r e u d i a n v i e w w o u l d h a v e i t , t o

afflicted b y m e l a n c h o l i a , a s o c i a l i t y i n w h i c h l o s s c a n n o t b e

k e e p the d e a d object a l i v e , b u t t o k e e p the l i v i n g object f r o m

g r i e v e d b e c a u s e i t c a n n o t b e r e c o g n i z e d a s loss, b e c a u s e w h a t

"death," w h e r e d e a t h m e a n s the d e a t h o f l o v e , i n c l u d i n g the

is lost never h a d a n y entitlement to existence?

o c c a s i o n s o f s e p a r a t i o n a n d loss.

H e r e o n e m i g h t w e l l d i s t i n g u i s h b e t w e e n (a) a n attach-

D o e s the K l e i n i a n v i e w suggest, t h e n , that the f u n c t i o n o f

m e n t that is s u b s e q u e n t l y d i s a v o w e d a n d (b) a f o r e c l o s u r e that

l o v e c a n b e f u l l y e x p l a i n e d w i t h i n a p s y c h i c e c o n o m y that

s t r u c t u r e s the f o r m s that a n y a t t a c h m e n t m a y a s s u m e . I n the

c a r r i e s n o s o c i a l l y s i g n i f i c a n t r e s i d u e ? O r i s the s o c i a l s i g n i f i -

26

Introduction

Introduction

c a n c e o f g u i l t t o b e t r a c e d i n a r e g i s t e r o t h e r t h a n that o f p r o -

cause s u c h objects f a i l to q u a l i f y as objects of l o v e : as objects

h i b i t i o n , i n the d e s i r e for r e p a r a t i o n ? I n o r d e r t o p r e s e r v e the

of love they assume a m a r k of destruction. Indeed, they m a y

object f r o m o n e ' s o w n a g g r e s s i o n , a n a g g r e s s i o n that a l w a y s

threaten one's o w n d e s t r u c t i o n as w e l l : "I w i l l be d e s t r o y e d if

a c c o m p a n i e s l o v e (as c o n f l i c t ) , g u i l t enters the p s y c h i c scene

I l o v e in that w a y . " M a r k e d for "death," the object is, as it w e r e ,

as a necessity. If the object goes, so goes a s o u r c e of l o v e . In

a l r e a d y lost, a n d the d e s i r e t o v a n q u i s h the object i s p r e c i s e l y

o n e sense, g u i l t w o r k s t o t h w a r t the a g g r e s s i v e e x p r e s s i o n o f

the d e s i r e t o v a n q u i s h a n object w h i c h , i f l o v e d , w o u l d s p e l l

l o v e that m i g h t d o i n the l o v e d object, a n object u n d e r s t o o d t o

d e s t r u c t i o n for the o n e w h o loves.

27

b e a s o u r c e o f l o v e ; i n a c o u n t e r sense, h o w e v e r , g u i l t w o r k s

C a n w e r e a d the w o r k i n g s o f s o c i a l p o w e r p r e c i s e l y i n the

t o p r e s e r v e the object a s a n object o f l o v e (its i d e a l i z a t i o n ) a n d

d e l i m i t a t i o n o f the f i e l d o f s u c h objects, objects m a r k e d f o r

h e n c e ( v i a i d e a l i z a t i o n ) t o p r e s e r v e the p o s s i b i l i t y o f l o v i n g

death? A n d i s this p a r t o f the i r r e a l i t y , the m e l a n c h o l i c aggres-

a n d b e i n g loved. A g g r e s s i o n — o r hate—is not m e r e l y m i t i -

s i o n a n d the d e s i r e t o v a n q u i s h , that c h a r a c t e r i z e s the p u b l i c

g a t e d , b u t r e r o u t e d a g a i n s t the o n e w h o loves, o p e r a t i n g a s

r e s p o n s e t o the d e a t h o f m a n y o f t h o s e c o n s i d e r e d " s o c i a l l y

the self-beratements o f the s u p e r - e g o .

B e c a u s e l o v e a n d ag-

dead," w h o die f r o m A I D S ? G a y people, prostitutes, d r u g

g r e s s i o n w o r k together, the m i t i g a t i o n o f a g g r e s s i o n t h r o u g h

users, a m o n g o t h e r s ? I f t h e y are d y i n g o r a l r e a d y d e a d , let u s

g u i l t i s also the m i t i g a t i o n o f l o v e . G u i l t w o r k s , t h e n , b o t h t o

v a n q u i s h t h e m a g a i n . A n d c a n the sense o f " t r i u m p h " b e w o n

f o r e c l o s e a n d t o c o n t i n u e l o v e , o r rather, t o c o n t i n u e l o v e (less

precisely through a practice of social differentiation in w h i c h

p a s s i o n a t e l y , to be sure) as the effect of a f o r e c l o s u r e .

one a c h i e v e s a n d m a i n t a i n s " s o c i a l e x i s t e n c e " o n l y b y the p r o -

13

K l e i n ' s s c h e m e raises a n u m b e r o f q u e s t i o n s r e l a t i n g t o the

d u c t i o n a n d m a i n t e n a n c e o f those s o c i a l l y d e a d ? M i g h t o n e

relation between love a n d aggression. W h y m i g h t one want

not also r e a d the p a r a n o i a that s t r u c t u r e s p u b l i c d i s c o u r s e o n

d e a d the object o f l o v e ? I s t h i s a p r i m a r y s a d i s m that m i g h t b e

s u c h issues as the i n v e r s i o n of that a g g r e s s i o n : the d e s i r e to

e x p l a i n e d b y r e c o u r s e t o a p r i m a r y d e a t h d r i v e , o r are there

v a n q u i s h the d e a d o t h e r that, t h r o u g h a r e v e r s a l , c o m e s t o

o t h e r w a y s t o a c c o u n t for the d e s i r e t o v a n q u i s h w h a t o n e

m a r k that o t h e r as the threat of d e a t h , c a s t i n g the o t h e r as the

l o v e s ? F o l l o w i n g F r e u d , K l e i n situates s.uch a d e s i r e t o v a n -

( u n l i k e l y ) p e r s e c u t o r o f the s o c i a l l y n o r m a l a n d n o r m a l i z e d ?

q u i s h w i t h i n the p r o b l e m a t i c o f m e l a n c h o l i a , t h u s m a k i n g the

W h a t is i t , t h e n , that is d e s i r e d in s u b j e c t i o n ? Is it a s i m p l e

p o i n t that the d e s i r e to v a n q u i s h c h a r a c t e r i z e s a r e l a t i o n to an

l o v e of the s h a c k l e s , or is t h e r e a m o r e c o m p l e x s c e n a r i o at

object a l r e a d y lost: a l r e a d y lost a n d t h u s e l i g i b l e for a c e r t a i n

w o r k ? H o w i s s u r v i v a l t o b e m a i n t a i n e d i f the t e r m s b y w h i c h

k i n d of vanquishing.

existence i s g u a r a n t e e d are p r e c i s e l y t h o s e that d e m a n d a n d

K l e i n l i n k s g u i l t t o w a r d the object w i t h the d e s i r e t o t r i -

i n s t i t u t e s u b o r d i n a t i o n ? O n this u n d e r s t a n d i n g , s u b j e c t i o n i s

u m p h o v e r the object, a sense o f t r i u m p h w h i c h , i f p u r s u e d too

the p a r a d o x i c a l effect o f a r e g i m e o f p o w e r i n w h i c h the v e r y

far, threatens to d e s t r o y the object as a s o u r c e of love. Yet o n e

" c o n d i t i o n s of existence," the p o s s i b i l i t y of c o n t i n u i n g as a

m i g h t c o n s i d e r that c e r t a i n f o r m s o f l o v e e n t a i l the loss o f the

r e c o g n i z a b l e s o c i a l b e i n g , r e q u i r e s the f o r m a t i o n a n d m a i n t e -

object n o t o n l y b e c a u s e o f a n i n n a t e d e s i r e t o t r i u m p h , b u t b e -

n a n c e o f the subject i n s u b o r d i n a t i o n . I f o n e accepts S p i n o z a ' s

28

Introduction

Introduction

n o t i o n that d e s i r e i s a l w a y s the d e s i r e t o p e r s i s t i n o n e ' s o w n

tence t h r e a t e n e d . A n d yet, w i t h o u t a r e p e t i t i o n that r i s k s l i f e —

being,

a n d recasts the metaphysical s u b s t a n c e that f o r m s the

i n its c u r r e n t o r g a n i z a t i o n — h o w m i g h t w e b e g i n t o i m a g i n e

i d e a l for d e s i r e a s a m o r e p l i a b l e n o t i o n o f s o c i a l b e i n g , o n e

the c o n t i n g e n c y o f that o r g a n i z a t i o n , a n d p e r f o r m a t i v e l y r e -

m i g h t t h e n b e p r e p a r e d t o r e d e s c r i b e the d e s i r e t o p e r s i s t

c o n f i g u r e the c o n t o u r s of the c o n d i t i o n s of life?

1 4

29

i n one's o w n b e i n g a s s o m e t h i n g that c a n b e b r o k e r e d o n l y

A c r i t i c a l a n a l y s i s of s u b j e c t i o n i n v o l v e s : (1) an a c c o u n t of

w i t h i n the r i s k y t e r m s o f s o c i a l life. T h e r i s k o f d e a t h i s t h u s c o -

the w a y r e g u l a t o r y p o w e r m a i n t a i n s subjects i n s u b o r d i n a t i o n

e x t e n s i v e w i t h the i n s u r m o u n t a b i l i t y o f the s o c i a l . I f the t e r m s

b y p r o d u c i n g a n d e x p l o i t i n g the d e m a n d for c o n t i n u i t y , v i s i -

b y w h i c h "existence" i s formulated, sustained, a n d w i t h d r a w n

b i l i t y , a n d p l a c e ; (2) r e c o g n i t i o n that the subject p r o d u c e d as

are the a c t i v e a n d p r o d u c t i v e v o c a b u l a r y o f p o w e r , t h e n t o

continuous, visible, a n d located is nevertheless h a u n t e d by an

p e r s i s t i n one's b e i n g m e a n s t o b e g i v e n o v e r f r o m the start

i n a s s i m i l a b l e r e m a i n d e r , a m e l a n c h o l i a that m a r k s the l i m i t s

t o s o c i a l t e r m s that are n e v e r f u l l y one's o w n . T h e d e s i r e t o

of s u b j e c t i v a t i o n ; (3) an a c c o u n t of the i t e r a b i l i t y of the s u b -

p e r s i s t i n one's o w n b e i n g r e q u i r e s s u b m i t t i n g t o a w o r l d o f

ject that s h o w s h o w a g e n c y m a y w e l l c o n s i s t i n o p p o s i n g a n d

others that i s f u n d a m e n t a l l y n o t one's o w n ( a s u b m i s s i o n that

t r a n s f o r m i n g the s o c i a l t e r m s b y w h i c h i t i s s p a w n e d .

does n o t t a k e p l a c e a t a later date, b u t w h i c h f r a m e s a n d m a k e s

A l t h o u g h s u c h a f o r m u l a t i o n c a n h a r d l y b e the b a s i s for a n

p o s s i b l e the d e s i r e t o be). O n l y b y p e r s i s t i n g i n a l t e r i t y d o e s

o p t i m i s t i c v i e w of the subject or of a s u b j e c t - c e n t e r e d p o l i t i c s ,

o n e p e r s i s t i n one's " o w n " b e i n g . V u l n e r a b l e t o t e r m s that o n e

it m a y s t a n d as a p r o v o c a t i o n a n d as a c a u t i o n a g a i n s t t w o

n e v e r m a d e , o n e p e r s i s t s a l w a y s , t o s o m e degree, t h r o u g h cate-

f o r m s o f t h e o r e t i c a l d e s i r e : o n e i n w h i c h a s s u m i n g a n d stat-

gories, n a m e s , t e r m s , a n d c l a s s i f i c a t i o n s that m a r k a p r i m a r y

i n g a " s u b j e c t - p o s i t i o n " i s the c o n s u m m a t e m o m e n t o f p o l i t i c s ;

a n d inaugurative alienation in sociality. If such terms institute

a n d a n o t h e r i n w h i c h the d i s m i s s a l o f the subject a s a p h i l o -

a p r i m a r y s u b o r d i n a t i o n or, i n d e e d , a p r i m a r y v i o l e n c e , t h e n

s o p h i c a l t r o p e u n d e r e s t i m a t e s the l i n g u i s t i c r e q u i r e m e n t s f o r

a subject e m e r g e s a g a i n s t itself in o r d e r , p a r a d o x i c a l l y , to be

e n t e r i n g s o c i a l i t y a t a l l . A s m u c h a s a p e r s p e c t i v e o n the s u b -

for itself.

ject r e q u i r e s an e v a c u a t i o n of the first p e r s o n , a s u s p e n s i o n of

W h a t w o u l d i t m e a n for the subject t o d e s i r e s o m e t h i n g

the "I" in the interests of an a n a l y s i s of subject f o r m a t i o n , so

o t h e r t h a n its c o n t i n u e d " s o c i a l e x i s t e n c e " ? I f s u c h a n e x i s t e n c e

a r e a s s u m p t i o n of that f i r s t - p e r s o n p e r s p e c t i v e is c o m p e l l e d

cannot be undone w i t h o u t falling into some k i n d of death, can

b y the q u e s t i o n o f agency. T h e a n a l y s i s o f s u b j e c t i o n i s a l w a y s

existence nevertheless be r i s k e d , death courted or p u r s u e d , in

d o u b l e , t r a c i n g the c o n d i t i o n s o f subject f o r m a t i o n a n d t r a c -

o r d e r t o e x p o s e a n d o p e n t o t r a n s f o r m a t i o n the h o l d o f s o c i a l

i n g the t u r n against those c o n d i t i o n s for the s u b j e c t — a n d its

p o w e r o n the c o n d i t i o n s o f life's p e r s i s t e n c e ? T h e subject i s

perspective—to

emerge.

c o m p e l l e d t o repeat the n o r m s b y w h i c h i t i s p r o d u c e d , b u t

A c r i t i c a l e v a l u a t i o n of subject f o r m a t i o n m a y w e l l offer a

that r e p e t i t i o n establishes a d o m a i n of r i s k , f o r if o n e fails to

better c o m p r e h e n s i o n o f the d o u b l e b i n d s t o w h i c h o u r e m a n -

r e i n s t a t e the n o r m " i n the r i g h t w a y , " o n e b e c o m e s subject t o

c i p a t o r y efforts o c c a s i o n a l l y l e a d w i t h o u t , i n c o n s e q u e n c e ,

f u r t h e r s a n c t i o n , o n e feels the p r e v a i l i n g c o n d i t i o n s o f e x i s -

e v a c u a t i n g the p o l i t i c a l . Is there a w a y to a f f i r m c o m p l i c i t y

30

Introduction

a s the basis o f p o l i t i c a l agency, y e t i n s i s t that p o l i t i c a l a g e n c y m a y d o m o r e t h a n reiterate the c o n d i t i o n s o f s u b o r d i n a t i o n ? If, as A l t h u s s e r i m p l i e s , b e c o m i n g a subject r e q u i r e s a k i n d o f m a s t e r y i n d i s t i n g u i s h a b l e f r o m s u b m i s s i o n , are there p e r -

Stubborn Attachment, Bodily Subjection

haps p o l i t i c a l and psychic consequences to be w r o u g h t f r o m s u c h a f o u n d i n g a m b i v a l e n c e ? T h e t e m p o r a l p a r a d o x o f the subject i s s u c h that, o f necessity, w e m u s t lose the p e r s p e c t i v e o f a subject a l r e a d y f o r m e d i n o r d e r t o a c c o u n t f o r o u r o w n

Rereading Hegel on

b e c o m i n g . T h a t " b e c o m i n g " i s n o s i m p l e o r c o n t i n u o u s affair,

Unhappy

b u t a n u n e a s y p r a c t i c e o f r e p e t i t i o n a n d its r i s k s , c o m p e l l e d

the

Consciousness

yet i n c o m p l e t e , w a v e r i n g o n the h o r i z o n o f s o c i a l b e i n g .

a freedom still enmeshed in servitude —Hegel,

T

The Phenomenology of Spirit

he t r a n s i t i o n in The Phenomenology of Spirit f r o m the sect i o n " L o r d s h i p a n d B o n d a g e " t o " T h e F r e e d o m o f Self-

C o n s c i o u s n e s s : S t o i c i s m , S k e p t i c i s m , a n d the U n h a p p y C o n sciousness"

1

is o n e of the least i n t e r r o g a t e d of H e g e l ' s p h i l o -

s o p h i c a l m o v e m e n t s . P e r h a p s b e c a u s e the c h a p t e r o n l o r d s h i p a n d b o n d a g e s e c u r e d a l i b e r a t i o n i s t n a r r a t i v e for v a r i o u s p r o gressive p o l i t i c a l visions, most readers have neglected to pay a t t e n t i o n t o the r e s o l u t i o n o f f r e e d o m i n t o s e l f - e n s l a v e m e n t a t the e n d o f the chapter. Insofar a s recent t h e o r y has c a l l e d i n t o q u e s t i o n b o t h the a s s u m p t i o n o f a p r o g r e s s i v e h i s t o r y a n d the status o f the subject, the d y s t o p i c r e s o l u t i o n o f " L o r d s h i p a n d B o n d a g e " has p e r h a p s r e g a i n e d a t i m e l y s i g n i f i c a n c e . F o u c a u l t s u g g e s t e d that the p o i n t o f m o d e r n p o l i t i c s i s n o

r 32

Stubborn Attachment, B o d i l y Subjection

Hegel's Unhappy Consciousness

33

l o n g e r to l i b e r a t e a subject, b u t r a t h e r to i n t e r r o g a t e the r e g u l a -

p r e s s e d , i n c a r c e r a t e d w i t h i n a n d f i n a l l y able t o d i s c h a r g e a n d

t o r y m e c h a n i s m s t h r o u g h w h i c h "subjects" are p r o d u c e d a n d

vent itself o n l y on itself: that, a n d that a l o n e , is w h a t the bad

maintained. A l t h o u g h Foucault's vocabulary ought not to be

conscience is in its b e g i n n i n g s . "

3

c o n f l a t e d w i t h H e g e l ' s , h i s c o n c e r n w i t h the d o u b l e - e d g e d i m -

U n d e r s c o r i n g the p a i n f u l r e a l i z a t i o n that " l i b e r a t i o n " f r o m

p l i c a t i o n s of s u b j e c t i o n (assujetissement: the s i m u l t a n e o u s form-

e x t e r n a l a u t h o r i t i e s d o e s n o t suffice to i n i t i a t e a subject i n t o

ing a n d regulating of the subject) is in s o m e w a y s p r e f i g u r e d

freedom, Foucault draws u p o n Nietzsche and, in particular,

i n H e g e l ' s a c c o u n t o f the b o n d s m a n ' s l i b e r a t i o n i n t o v a r i o u s

u p o n the s e l f - i n c a r c e r a t i n g m o v e m e n t that s t r u c t u r e s m o d e r n

f o r m s of e t h i c a l self-beratement. In Discipline and Punish, F o u -

f o r m s o f r e f l e x i v i t y . T h e l i m i t s t o l i b e r a t i o n are t o b e u n d e r -

c a u l t l i m i t s the efficacy o f p r i s o n r e f o r m : "the m a n d e s c r i b e d

stood not merely as self-imposed but, more fundamentally,

for u s , w h o m w e are i n v i t e d t o free, i s a l r e a d y i n h i m s e l f the

as the p r e c o n d i t i o n of the subject's v e r y f o r m a t i o n . A c e r t a i n

effect of a s u b j e c t i o n [assujettissement] m u c h m o r e p r o f o u n d

s t r u c t u r i n g a t t a c h m e n t t o s u b j e c t i o n b e c o m e s the c o n d i t i o n

t h a n h i m s e l f . " T h e b o n d s m a n i n H e g e l t h r o w s off the a p p a r -

o f m o r a l s u b j e c t i v a t i o n . C o n s i d e r the e x p a n d e d text o f F o u -

ently external " L o r d " only to find himself in an ethical w o r l d ,

c a u l t ' s r e m a r k s o n the p r i s o n e r ' s s u b j e c t i o n , p r e v i o u s l y c i t e d ,

subjected t o v a r i o u s n o r m s a n d i d e a l s . O r , t o p u t i t m o r e

i n Discipline and Punish: " T h e m a n d e s c r i b e d for u s , w h o m w e

p r e c i s e l y , the subject e m e r g e s a s a n u n h a p p y c o n s c i o u s n e s s

are i n v i t e d to free, is a l r e a d y in h i m s e l f the effect of a s u b -

t h r o u g h the r e f l e x i v e a p p l i c a t i o n o f these e t h i c a l l a w s .

j e c t i o n [assujettissement] m u c h m o r e p r o f o u n d t h a n h i m s e l f . A

2

T h e p e r m u t a t i o n s o f s e l f - e n s l a v e m e n t that H e g e l d e s c r i b e s

' s o u l ' i n h a b i t s h i m a n d b r i n g s h i m t o existence, w h i c h i s itself

a p p e a r t o take the b o d y a s w h a t m u s t b e n e g a t e d , m o r t i f i e d , o r

a factor i n the m a s t e r y that p o w e r exercises o v e r the b o d y . T h e

s u b o r d i n a t e d t o a n e t h i c a l d e m a n d . T h e " t e r r o r " that seizes the

s o u l is the effect a n d i n s t r u m e n t of a p o l i t i c a l a n a t o m y ; the

b o n d s m a n w i t h his recognition of freedom appears to c u l m i -

s o u l i s the p r i s o n o f the b o d y . "

4

nate i n the s i m u l t a n e o u s f a b r i c a t i o n o f e t h i c a l n o r m s a n d the

H o w p r e c i s e l y are w e t o r e a d this " i n h a b i t i n g " o f the b o d y

b e r a t e m e n t o f the b o d i l y c o n d i t i o n o f h i s o w n life. I n this sense,

b y the s o u l ? C a n a r e t u r n t o H e g e l h e l p u s t o r e a d it? W h a t are

" T h e U n h a p p y C o n s c i o u s n e s s " establishes a r e l a t i o n b e t w e e n

the p o i n t s o f c o n v e r g e n c e a n d d i v e r g e n c e i n H e g e l , N i e t z s c h e ,

s e l f - e n s l a v e m e n t a s b o d i l y s u b j e c t i o n a n d the f o r m u l a t i o n o f

a n d F o u c a u l t o n the s t r u c t u r e o f subjection? H e g e l ' s a c c o u n t i n

s e l f - i m p o s e d e t h i c a l i m p e r a t i v e s that p r e f i g u r e s N i e t z s c h e ' s

"The U n h a p p y Consciousness" prefigures a critical discourse

c r i t i q u e of the s a m e in On the Genealogy of Morals a n d F o u -

o n e t h i c a l p o s i t i o n s that n o t o n l y seek t o i n s t i t u t e the d e n i a l o r

c a u l t ' s a p p r o p r i a t i o n o f that c r i t i q u e . I n the f o l l o w i n g c i t a t i o n

sacrifice o f b o d i l y life, b u t that f a l l i n t o i n s t r u c t i v e p a r a d o x e s

f r o m N i e t z s c h e ' s Genealogy of Morals, o n e c a n d i s c e r n a t e m p o -

w h e n t h e y d o . H e g e l s h o w s that i f the s u p p r e s s i o n o f the b o d y

r a r y c o n v e r g e n c e b e t w e e n the f i g u r e s o f s e l f - e n s l a v e m e n t i n

r e q u i r e s a n i n s t r u m e n t a l m o v e m e n t o f a n d b y the b o d y , t h e n

H e g e l ' s " U n h a p p y C o n s c i o u s n e s s " a n d the m o r a l i z e d " m a n "

the b o d y i s i n a d v e r t e n t l y preserved i n a n d b y the i n s t r u m e n t o f

of c o n s c i e n c e in N i e t z s c h e : " T h i s instinct for freedom f o r c i b l y

its s u p p r e s s i o n . T h i s f o r m u l a t i o n p r e f i g u r e s the p o s s i b i l i t y o f

m a d e l a t e n t . . . t h i s i n s t i n c t for f r e e d o m p u s h e d b a c k a n d r e -

a convergence w i t h Nietzschean, F o u c a u l t i a n , and, as we shall

Stubborn Attachment, Bodily Subjection

Hegel's Unhappy Consciousness

see, F r e u d i a n p e r s p e c t i v e s o n self-abasement, w h i c h H e g e l ' s

t e r e d the l o r d a n d the b o n d s m a n , a n d w e h a v e b e e n g i v e n

text, i n the t r a n s i t i o n t o S p i r i t , forecloses. T h e r e a d i n g that f o l -

t o u n d e r s t a n d these d i s c r e p a n t figures a s d i f f e r e n t i a l l y p o s i -

l o w s p u r s u e s the p a t h that H e g e l i n t r o d u c e s o n l y t o foreclose.

t i o n e d w i t h respect t o b o d i l y life. T h e b o n d s m a n a p p e a r s a s

A r r e s t i n g the text p r i o r t o its r e s o l u t i o n i n t o S p i r i t , t h i s i n q u i r y

a n i n s t r u m e n t a l b o d y w h o s e l a b o r p r o v i d e s for the m a t e r i a l

34

35

seeks t o k n o w w h e t h e r a s u p p r e s s e d l i n k w i t h a N i e t z s c h e a n

c o n d i t i o n s o f the l o r d ' s existence, a n d w h o s e m a t e r i a l p r o d -

a n d F r e u d i a n account of conscience is e m b e d d e d in Hegel's

ucts reflect b o t h the s u b o r d i n a t i o n o f the b o n d s m a n a n d the

chapter.

d o m i n a t i o n of the master. In a sense, the l o r d p o s t u r e s as a d i s -

T h e first s e c t i o n of t h i s essay offers a r e a d i n g that a c c o u n t s

e m b o d i e d d e s i r e f o r self-reflection, o n e w h o n o t o n l y r e q u i r e s

for h o w t h i s p a r a d o x o f b o d i l y s u b j e c t i o n i s f o r m u l a t e d i n

the s u b o r d i n a t i o n o f the b o n d s m a n i n the status o f a n i n s t r u -

the t r a n s i t i o n f r o m " L o r d s h i p a n d B o n d a g e " t o " T h e U n h a p p y

m e n t a l b o d y , b u t w h o r e q u i r e s i n effect that the b o n d s m a n b e

C o n s c i o u s n e s s " in The Phenomenology of Spirit. In the s e c o n d

the l o r d ' s b o d y , b u t b e i t i n s u c h a w a y that the l o r d forgets o r

s e c t i o n , I c o n s i d e r the restatements of that p a r a d o x i c a l f o r m u -

d i s a v o w s h i s o w n a c t i v i t y i n p r o d u c i n g the b o n d s m a n , a p r o -

lation i n psychoanalytic a n d F o u c a u l t i a n terms. W i t h o u t pre-

duction w h i c h we w i l l call a projection.

s u m i n g a d i r e c t l i n e of i n f l u e n c e , I suggest b o t h that H e g e l ' s

T h i s forgetting involves a clever trick. It is an action by

i n s i g h t s i n " T h e U n h a p p y C o n s c i o u s n e s s " o n the i n e l u c t a b i l i t y

w h i c h a n a c t i v i t y i s d i s a v o w e d , yet, a s a n a c t i o n , i t r h e t o r i -

o f the a t t a c h m e n t o f a n d t o the b o d y i n s u b j e c t i o n are r e -

c a l l y c o n c e d e s the v e r y a c t i v i t y that i t seeks t o negate. T o d i s -

i t e r a t e d i n F o u c a u l t i a n f r a m e w o r k s , a n d that the F o u c a u l t i a n

a v o w one's b o d y , t o r e n d e r i t " O t h e r " a n d t h e n t o e s t a b l i s h the

a c c o u n t o f s u b j e c t i o n , d e s p i t e its s i g n i f i c a n t m o v e s b e y o n d

" O t h e r " a s a n effect o f a u t o n o m y , i s t o p r o d u c e o n e ' s b o d y i n

d i a l e c t i c a l l o g i c , r e m a i n s u n w i t t i n g l y t e t h e r e d t o the H e g e l i a n

s u c h a w a y that the a c t i v i t y o f its p r o d u c t i o n — a n d its essen-

f o r m u l a t i o n . F u r t h e r m o r e , H e g e l t a c i t l y p r e s u m e s that subjec-

t i a l r e l a t i o n t o the l o r d — i s d e n i e d . T h i s t r i c k o r r u s e i n v o l v e s a

t i o n is u n d e r s t o o d as a s e l f - n e g a t i n g attachment a n d , in t h i s

d o u b l e d i s a v o w a l a n d a n i m p e r a t i v e that the " O t h e r " b e c o m e

w a y , shares a n o p e r a t i v e a s s u m p t i o n w i t h the F r e u d i a n n o t i o n

c o m p l i c i t w i t h t h i s d i s a v o w a l . I n o r d e r n o t t o b e the b o d y that

of l i b i d i n a l investment.

the l o r d p r e s u m a b l y is, a n d i n o r d e r t o h a v e the b o n d s m a n p o s t u r e a s i f the b o d y that h e i s b e l o n g s t o h i m s e l f — a n d n o t b e

Hegel and the Production of Self-Enslavement

the o r c h e s t r a t e d p r o j e c t i o n of the l o r d — t h e r e m u s t be a c e r t a i n k i n d o f e x c h a n g e , a b a r g a i n o r d e a l , i n w h i c h r u s e s are e n a c t e d

In H e g e l ' s Phenomenology, b o d i e s are a l m o s t n e v e r to be

a n d t r a n s a c t e d . I n effect, the i m p e r a t i v e t o the b o n d s m a n c o n -

f o u n d a s objects o f p h i l o s o p h i c a l r e f l e c t i o n , m u c h less a s sites

sists i n the f o l l o w i n g f o r m u l a t i o n : y o u b e m y b o d y f o r m e , b u t

o f e x p e r i e n c e , for b o d i e s are, i n H e g e l , a l w a y s a n d o n l y r e -

d o n o t let m e k n o w that the b o d y y o u are i s m y b o d y . A n i n -

f e r r e d t o i n d i r e c t l y a s the e n c a s e m e n t , l o c a t i o n , o r s p e c i f i c i t y

j u n c t i o n a n d c o n t r a c t are h e r e p e r f o r m e d i n s u c h a w a y that

o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s . B y the t i m e w e a r r i v e a t the s e c t i o n o n the

the m o v e s w h i c h g u a r a n t e e the f u l f i l l m e n t o f the i n j u n c t i o n

u n h a p p y c o n s c i o u s n e s s , w e , the readers, h a v e a l r e a d y e n c o u n -

a n d the c o n t r a c t are i m m e d i a t e l y c o v e r e d o v e r a n d f o r g o t t e n .

36

Stubborn Attachment, Bodily Subjection

Hegel's Unhappy Consciousness

37

A t the c l o s e o f the s e c t i o n o n l o r d s h i p a n d b o n d a g e , the

a c t i v e a n d a u t o n o m o u s . I n d e e d , the object e m e r g e s a s the o b -

b o n d s m a n l a b o r s a w a y i n a r e p e t i t i v e f a s h i o n o n objects that

j e c t i f i c a t i o n o f the b o n d s m a n ' s l a b o r , a n d t h u s a s a n i n s t a n c e

b e l o n g t o the l o r d . I n t h i s sense, b o t h h i s l a b o r a n d h i s p r o d u c t s

of that l a b o r , a c o n g e a l i n g a n d r e f l e c t i o n of that labor. B u t

are p r e s u m e d f r o m the start t o b e o t h e r t h a n h i s o w n , e x p r o -

w h a t , t h e n , d o e s the object reflect? Is it the a u t o n o m y of the

p r i a t e d . T h e y are g i v e n a w a y p r i o r t o a n y p o s s i b i l i t y o f g i v i n g

b o n d s m a n ? O r i s i t the d i s s i m u l a t e d effect o f a u t o n o m y that

t h e m a w a y , s i n c e t h e y are, s t r i c t l y s p e a k i n g , n e v e r the b o n d s -

r e s u l t s f r o m the c o n t r a c t m a d e b e t w e e n l o r d a n d b o n d s m a n ?

m a n ' s t o g i v e . A n d yet, t h i s " c o n t r a c t " i n w h i c h the b o n d s -

I n o t h e r w o r d s , i f the b o n d s m a n effects a u t o n o m y t h r o u g h a

m a n s u b s t i t u t e s h i m s e l f f o r the l o r d b e c o m e s c o n s e q u e n t i a l ;

m i m i n g o f the l o r d ' s b o d y , a m i m i n g w h i c h r e m a i n s h i d d e n

the s u b s t i t u t i o n itself b e c o m e s f o r m a t i v e o f a n d for the b o n d s -

f r o m the l o r d , t h e n the " a u t o n o m y " o f the slave i s the c r e d i b l e

m a n . A s the b o n d s m a n slaves a w a y a n d b e c o m e s a w a r e o f

effect of t h i s d i s s i m u l a t i o n . T h e object of l a b o r t h u s reflects

h i s o w n s i g n a t u r e o n the t h i n g s that h e m a k e s , h e r e c o g n i z e s

the a u t o n o m y of the b o n d s m a n to the extent that the object,

i n the f o r m o f the artifact that h e crafts the m a r k i n g s o f h i s

too, c o v e r s o v e r the d i s s i m u l a t i o n w h i c h i s the a c t i v i t y o f the

o w n l a b o r , m a r k i n g s that are f o r m a t i v e o f the object itself. H i s

b o n d s m a n . I n h i s w o r k , t h e n , the b o n d s m a n d i s c o v e r s o r r e a d s

l a b o r p r o d u c e s a v i s i b l e a n d l e g i b l e set o f m a r k s i n w h i c h the

h i s o w n s i g n a t u r e , b u t w h a t i s i t that m a r k s that s i g n a t u r e a s

b o n d s m a n r e a d s b a c k f r o m the object a c o n f i r m a t i o n o f h i s

h i s o w n ? T h e b o n d s m a n d i s c o v e r s h i s a u t o n o m y , b u t h e does

o w n formative a c t i v i t y T h i s labor, this activity, w h i c h belongs

n o t (yet) see that h i s a u t o n o m y is the d i s s i m u l a t e d effect of

f r o m the start t o the l o r d , i s n e v e r t h e l e s s reflected b a c k t o the

the l o r d ' s . ( N o r d o e s h e see that the l o r d ' s a u t o n o m y i s itself

b o n d s m a n a s h i s o w n l a b o r , a l a b o r that emanates f r o m h i m ,

a d i s s i m u l a t i o n : the l o r d effects the a u t o n o m y o f d i s e m b o d i e d

e v e n i f i t a p p e a r s t o e m a n a t e f r o m the l o r d . C a n , t h e n , the l a b o r reflected b a c k b e s a i d f i n a l l y t o b e the b o n d s m a n ' s o w n ? R e m e m b e r that the l o r d has d i s a v o w e d h i s

r e f l e c t i o n a n d delegates the a u t o n o m y o f e m b o d i m e n t t o the b o n d s m a n , t h u s p r o d u c i n g t w o " a u t o n o m i e s " that a p p e a r a t the outset r a d i c a l l y t o e x c l u d e o n e another.)

o w n l a b o r i n g b e i n g , his b o d y as an i n s t r u m e n t of labor, a n d

B u t h e r e a q u e s t i o n e m e r g e s : D o e s the b o n d s m a n ' s a c t i v i t y

has e s t a b l i s h e d the b o n d s m a n a s the o n e w h o w i l l o c c u p y the

r e m a i n f u l l y c o n s t r a i n e d b y the d i s s i m u l a t i o n b y w h i c h i t i s

l o r d ' s b o d y for h i m . I n t h i s sense, the l o r d has c o n t r a c t e d the

m o b i l i z e d ? O r does t h i s d i s s i m u l a t i o n p r o d u c e effects that ex-

b o n d s m a n as a surrogate or substitute. The b o n d s m a n thus

c e e d the c o n t r o l o r d o m i n i o n o f the l o r d ?

b e l o n g s t o the l o r d , b u t w i t h a k i n d o f b e l o n g i n g that c a n n o t

I f the b o n d s m a n i s t o r e c o g n i z e the m a r k s m a d e o n the

b e a v o w e d , f o r t o a v o w the b e l o n g i n g w o u l d b e t o a v o w the

object a s h i s o w n , t h e n that r e c o g n i t i o n m u s t t a k e p l a c e

s u b s t i t u t i o n a n d , hence, t o e x p o s e the l o r d a s b e i n g the b o d y

t h r o u g h a n act o f r e a d i n g o r i n t e r p r e t a t i o n b y w h i c h the m a r k s

w h i c h the l o r d a p p a r e n t l y v e r y m u c h does n o t w a n t t o be.

(Zeichen) that the b o n d s m a n sees are s o m e h o w u n d e r s t o o d to

H e n c e , it is as a s u b s t i t u t e in the s e r v i c e of d i s a v o w a l that the

r e p r e s e n t the b o n d s m a n . I t i s n o t that the a c t i v i t y m u s t b e w i t -

b o n d s m a n l a b o r s ; o n l y b y m i m i n g a n d c o v e r i n g o v e r the m i -

n e s s e d , b u t that the signs p r o d u c e d m u s t be r e a d as an effect

m e t i c status o f that l a b o r c a n the b o n d s m a n a p p e a r t o b e b o t h

o f the e f f e c t i v i t y that d e s i g n a t e s the b o n d s m a n , m u s t i n s o m e

Stubborn Attachment, B o d i l y Subjection

Hegel's Unhappy Consciousness

w a y b e u n d e r s t o o d t o refer r e t r o a c t i v e l y t o the b o n d s m a n a s

n a t u r e of the b o n d s m a n . W h a t e m e r g e s is less a p a l i m p s e s t i c

s i g n a t o r y . I f w e are t o u n d e r s t a n d the f o r m i n g o f the object

object—like Kafka's topographies—than a m a r k of ownership

a s the i n s c r i b i n g o f the b o n d s m a n ' s s i g n a t u r e , the f o r m a t i v e

p r o d u c e d t h r o u g h a set of c o n s e q u e n t i a l erasures.

38

39

p r i n c i p l e of the object to be the f o r m a t i o n of h i s s i g n a t u r e , t h e n

S i g n i f i c a n t l y , the b o n d s m a n n e v e r t h e l e s s d e r i v e s a sense of

the b o n d s m a n ' s s i g n a t u r e d e s i g n a t e s a d o m a i n of c o n t e s t e d

s e l f - r e c o g n i t i o n a t the e n d o f the c h a p t e r , b u t n o t b y r e a d i n g

o w n e r s h i p . T h i s i s his m a r k , w h i c h h e c a n r e a d ( w e s h a l l let the

b a c k h i s s i g n a t u r e f r o m the object. A f t e r a l l , that s i g n a t u r e has

b o n d s m a n o c c u p y the site o f p r e s u m p t i v e m a s c u l i n i t y ) , a n d

b e e n w r i t t e n o v e r b y the s i g n a t u r e o f the l o r d . H e r e c o g n i z e s

s o the object a p p e a r s t o b e l o n g t o h i m . Yet this object m a r k e d

h i m s e l f i n the v e r y f o r f e i t u r e o f the s i g n a t u r e , i n the threat

b y h i m , w h i c h has h i s m a r k o n i t , b e l o n g s t o the l o r d , a t least

t o a u t o n o m y that s u c h a n e x p r o p r i a t i o n p r o d u c e s . S t r a n g e l y ,

n o m i n a l l y . T h e b o n d s m a n s i g n s , a s i t w e r e , for the l o r d , a s a

t h e n , a c e r t a i n s e l f - r e c o g n i t i o n i s d e r i v e d f r o m the r a d i c a l l y

p r o x y s i g n a t o r y , as a d e l e g a t e d s u b s t i t u t e . T h u s the s i g n a t u r e

t e n u o u s status o f the b o n d s m a n ; i t i s a c h i e v e d t h r o u g h the ex-

d o e s n o t seal o w n e r s h i p o f the object b y the b o n d s m a n , b u t

p e r i e n c e of absolute fear.

b e c o m e s the site for the r e d o u b l i n g o f o w n e r s h i p a n d , h e n c e , sets the stage for a scene of c o n t e s t a t i o n .

T h i s fear is a fear of a c e r t a i n loss of c o n t r o l , a c e r t a i n t r a n sience a n d e x p r o p r i a b i l i t y p r o d u c e d b y the a c t i v i t y o f labor.

T h e m a r k o r s i g n o n the object i s n o t s i m p l y the p r o p e r t y

H e r e the l o g i c o f the b o n d s m a n ' s a c t i v i t y a p p e a r s c u r i o u s l y t o

o f the b o n d s m a n — t h i s object w i t h h i s m a r k o n i t i m p l i e s f o r

c o n v e r g e w i t h that o f the l o r d . E a r l i e r i t s e e m e d that the l o r d

h i m that h e i s a b e i n g w h o m a r k s t h i n g s , w h o s e a c t i v i t y p r o -

o c c u p i e d the p l a c e o f p u r e c o n s u m p t i o n , a p p r o p r i a t i n g a n d

d u c e s a s i n g u l a r effect, a s i g n a t u r e , w h i c h is i r r e d u c i b l y h i s .

e x t i n g u i s h i n g a l l that the b o n d s m a n m a d e . T h e b o n d s m a n , b y

T h a t s i g n a t u r e i s e r a s e d w h e n the object i s g i v e n o v e r t o the

contrast, a c h i e v e d the e x p e r i e n c e o f s e l f - r e f l e x i v i t y t h r o u g h

l o r d , w h o s t a m p s i t w i t h his n a m e , o w n s i t , o r c o n s u m e s i t i n

w o r k i n g o n a n d c r e a t i n g a n object that b o r e the m a r k s o f h i s

s o m e w a y . T h e w o r k i n g o f the slave i s t h u s t o b e u n d e r s t o o d

being, a n d thereby understood himself as a being w h o forms

as a m a r k i n g w h i c h r e g u l a r l y u n m a r k s itself, a s i g n a t o r y act

o r creates t h i n g s w h i c h o u t l a s t h i m , a p r o d u c e r o f p e r m a n e n t

w h i c h p u t s itself u n d e r e r a s u r e a t the m o m e n t i n w h i c h i t i s

t h i n g s . F o r the l o r d , o c c u p y i n g the p o s i t i o n o f p u r e c o n s u m p -

circulated, for c i r c u l a t i o n here is a l w a y s a matter of e x p r o p r i a -

t i o n , objects w e r e t r a n s i t o r y , a n d h e h i m s e l f w a s d e f i n e d a s a

t i o n b y the l o r d . T h e slave, o f c o u r s e , f r o m the start has b e e n

series o f t r a n s i t o r y desires. F o r the l o r d , t h e n , n o t h i n g s e e m e d

w o r k i n g f o r a n o t h e r , u n d e r the n a m e o r s i g n o f s o m e other,

t o last, e x c e p t p e r h a p s h i s o w n c o n s u m i n g a c t i v i t y , h i s o w n

a n d s o has b e e n m a r k i n g the object w i t h h i s o w n s i g n a t u r e

e n d l e s s desire.

u n d e r a set o f c o n d i t i o n s i n w h i c h that s i g n a t u r e i s a l w a y s

T h e s e t w o p o s i t i o n s , h o w e v e r , are n o t r a d i c a l l y o p p o s e d t o

a l r e a d y e r a s e d , w r i t t e n o v e r , e x p r o p r i a t e d , r e s i g n i f i e d . I f the

o n e a n o t h e r , for e a c h i n a different w a y e x p e r i e n c e s o n l y a n d

b o n d s m a n w r i t e s o v e r the s i g n a t o r y o f the l o r d , t e m p o r a r i l y

a l w a y s the loss o f the object a n d , w i t h that loss, the e x p e r i e n c e

r e v e r s i n g the s u b o r d i n a t e p o s i t i o n o f the p r o x y t o the o r i g i -

of a f e a r f u l t r a n s i e n c e . W o r k is, f o r H e g e l , a f o r m of d e s i r e ,

n a l , the l o r d r e a p p r o p r i a t e s the object b y w r i t i n g o v e r the s i g -

a f o r m w h i c h i d e a l l y s u p p r e s s e s the t r a n s i t o r y c h a r a c t e r o f

40

Stubborn Attachment, B o d i l y Subjection

Hegel's Unhappy Consciousness

41

d e s i r e ; i n h i s w o r d s , " w o r k i s d e s i r e h e l d i n c h e c k , fleetingness

T h i s e x p r o p r i a t i o n o f the object d o e s n o t negate the b o n d s -

s t a v e d off" (118/153). T o w o r k o n a n object i s t o g i v e i t f o r m ,

m a n ' s sense o f h i m s e l f a s a l a b o r i n g b e i n g , b u t i t d o e s i m p l y

a n d t o g i v e i t f o r m i s t o g i v e i t a n e x i s t e n c e that o v e r c o m e s

that w h a t e v e r h e m a k e s , h e a l s o loses. T h e d e t e r m i n a t e t h i n g

t r a n s i t o r i n e s s . T h e c o n s u m p t i o n o f the object i s the n e g a t i o n o f

that the b o n d s m a n m a k e s reflects the b o n d s m a n h i m s e l f as a

that effect of p e r m a n e n c e ; the c o n s u m p t i o n of the object is its

d e t e r m i n a t e t h i n g . B u t b e c a u s e the object i s g i v e n a w a y , h e b e -

déformation. T h e a c c u m u l a t i o n o f p r o p e r t y , h o w e v e r , r e q u i r e s

c o m e s that w h i c h c a n b e f o r f e i t e d . I f the object i s the c o n g e a l -

that f o r m e d objects b e p o s s e s s e d r a t h e r t h a n c o n s u m e d ; o n l y

i n g o r f o r m i n g o f l a b o r , a n d i f the l a b o r i s that o f the b o n d s -

a s p r o p e r t y d o objects r e t a i n t h e i r f o r m a n d "stave off fleet-

m a n , t h e n the d e t e r m i n a t e a n d t r a n s i e n t c h a r a c t e r o f the t h i n g

i n g n e s s . " O n l y a s p r o p e r t y d o objects f u l f i l l the t h e o l o g i c a l

w i l l i m p l y the d e t e r m i n a t e a n d t r a n s i e n t c h a r a c t e r o f the

p r o m i s e w i t h w h i c h t h e y are i n v e s t e d .

b o n d s m a n . T h e l a b o r i n g b o d y w h i c h n o w k n o w s itself t o h a v e

T h e b o n d s m a n ' s fear, t h e n , c o n s i s t s i n the e x p e r i e n c e o f

f o r m e d the object also k n o w s that it is transient. T h e b o n d s m a n

h a v i n g w h a t a p p e a r s t o b e h i s p r o p e r t y e x p r o p r i a t e d . I n the

not o n l y negates t h i n g s ( i n the sense o f t r a n s f o r m i n g t h e m

e x p e r i e n c e o f g i v i n g u p w h a t h e has m a d e , the b o n d s m a n

t h r o u g h labor) a n d is a n e g a t i n g a c t i v i t y , b u t he is subject to a

u n d e r s t a n d s t w o i s s u e s : first, that w h a t h e i s i s e m b o d i e d o r

full a n d final negation in death. T h i s confrontation of death at

s i g n i f i e d i n w h a t h e m a k e s , a n d s e c o n d , that w h a t h e m a k e s i s

the e n d of the c h a p t e r r e c a l l s the l i f e - a n d - d e a t h s t r u g g l e at its

m a d e u n d e r the c o m p u l s i o n t o g i v e i t u p . H e n c e , i f the object

b e g i n n i n g . The strategy of d o m i n a t i o n w a s meant to replace

defines h i m , reflects b a c k w h a t h e is, i s the s i g n a t o r y text b y

the l i f e - a n d - d e a t h s t r u g g l e . B u t i n the e a r l i e r v e r s i o n d e a t h

w h i c h h e a c q u i r e s a sense o f w h o h e is, a n d i f t h o s e objects are

h a p p e n e d t h r o u g h the v i o l e n c e o f the o t h e r ; d o m i n a t i o n w a s

r e l e n t l e s s l y s a c r i f i c e d , t h e n he is a r e l e n t l e s s l y s e l f - s a c r i f i c i n g

a w a y of f o r c i n g the o t h e r to d i e within the c o n t e x t of life.

being. He can recognize his o w n signature o n l y as what is con-

T h e f a i l u r e of d o m i n a t i o n as a s t r a t e g y r e i n t r o d u c e s the fear of

s t a n t l y b e i n g e r a s e d , a s a p e r s i s t e n t site o f v a n i s h i n g . H e has

d e a t h , b u t locates i t a s the i n e v i t a b l e fate o f a n y b e i n g w h o s e

n o c o n t r o l o v e r w h a t h e p u t s h i s n a m e t o o r o v e r the p u r p o s e s

consciousness is d e t e r m i n e d a n d e m b o d i e d , no longer as a

t o w h i c h h e seeks t o fasten h i s n a m e . H i s s i g n a t u r e i s a n act

threat p o s e d b y a n o t h e r . T h e b o n d s m a n v e r g e s o n t h i s shatter-

o f self-erasure: h e r e a d s that the s i g n a t u r e i s h i s , that h i s o w n e x i s t e n c e a p p e a r s t o b e i r r e d u c i b l y h i s o w n , that w h a t i s i r r e d u c i b l y h i s o w n i s h i s o w n v a n i s h i n g , a n d that t h i s v a n i s h i n g is effected by a n o t h e r — t h a t is, that t h i s is a s o c i a l l y c o m p e l l e d f o r m o f self-erasure. N o t o n l y d o e s h e l a b o r for a n o t h e r , w h o takes the y i e l d o f h i s l a b o r , b u t h e g i v e s u p h i s s i g n a t u r e for the s i g n a t u r e o f the other, n o l o n g e r m a r k i n g o w n e r s h i p o f h i s o w n labor in any way.

i n g r e c o g n i t i o n o f h i s o w n d e a t h i n the last p a r a g r a p h o f the chapter, b u t h e r e c o i l s f r o m r e c o g n i z i n g d e a t h , a t t a c h i n g h i m self i n s t e a d t o v a r i o u s a t t r i b u t e s o f h i s o w n , t a k i n g u p a p o s ture of smugness or stubbornness, c l i n g i n g to what appears to be f i r m about himself, f i r m l y clinging to himself, in order not t o k n o w that d e a t h threatens e v e r y aspect o f h i s o w n f i r m n e s s : "since the e n t i r e c o n t e n t s o f its n a t u r a l c o n s c i o u s n e s s h a v e n o t b e e n j e o p a r d i z e d , [Indem nicht aile Erfullungen seines naturlichen

Stubborn Attachment, B o d i l y Subjection

Hegel's Unhappy Consciousness

Bewusstseins wankend geworden] d e t e r m i n a t e b e i n g s t i l l in prin-

o f s e r v i t u d e . C o n s c i o u s n e s s c l i n g s o r attaches t o itself, a n d

ciple attaches to it; h a v i n g a m i n d of one's o w n is s e l f - w i l l , a

t h i s c l i n g i n g to c o n s c i o u s n e s s is at the s a m e t i m e a d i s a v o w a l

f r e e d o m s t i l l e n m e s h e d i n s e r v i t u d e " (119/155).

o f the b o d y , w h i c h a p p e a r s t o s i g n i f y the t e r r o r o f d e a t h , "the

42

43

T h e u n h a p p y c o n s c i o u s n e s s e m e r g e s h e r e i n the m o v e m e n t

a b s o l u t e fear." T h e u n h a p p y c o n s c i o u s n e s s r e q u i r e s a n d e n -

by w h i c h terror is allayed through a resolution of stubborn-

gages t h i s a t t a c h m e n t b y i n v o k i n g a n i m p e r a t i v e . Its fear i s

ness or, rather, t h r o u g h the a c t i o n b y w h i c h t e r r o r o f b o d i l y

a l l a y e d b y l e g i s l a t i n g a n e t h i c a l n o r m . H e n c e , the i m p e r a t i v e

d e a t h i s d i s p l a c e d b y a s m u g n e s s a n d s t u b b o r n n e s s that, i n the

t o c l i n g t o o n e s e l f i s m o t i v a t e d b y t h i s a b s o l u t e fear a n d b y the

next chapter, is r e v a l u e d as religious self-righteousness. T h i s

n e e d to refuse that fear. I n a s m u c h as it is an ethical i n j u n c t i o n ,

s a n c t i m o n i o u s self is n o t without t e r r o r : its r e f l e x i v i t y is self-

t h i s i m p e r a t i v e is the d i s a r t i c u l a t e d r e f u s a l of a b s o l u t e fear.

t e r r o r i z i n g . T h e b o d y w h i c h the b o n d s m e n e m b l e m a t i z e d a s

T h e s e c t i o n o n the u n h a p p y c o n s c i o u s n e s s e x p l a i n s the

a l a b o r i n g i n s t r u m e n t i s recast a t the e n d o f the l o r d s h i p a n d

genesis of the s p h e r e of the e t h i c a l as a defense a g a i n s t the

b o n d a g e c h a p t e r as a t r a n s i e n t object, subject to d e a t h . T h e r e c -

a b s o l u t e fear b y w h i c h i t i s m o t i v a t e d . T h e f a b r i c a t i o n o f n o r m s

o g n i t i o n o f the b o d y ' s d e a t h i s a v e r t e d , h o w e v e r , for a m o d e o f

o u t o f ( a n d against) fear, a n d the r e f l e x i v e i m p o s i t i o n o f those

l i v i n g i n w h i c h the b o d y i s ceaselessly d y i n g a w a y : h e n c e , the

n o r m s , subjects the u n h a p p y c o n s c i o u s n e s s i n a d o u b l e sense:

m o v e f r o m the s e r v i t u d e o f the b o n d s m a n t o that o f the u n -

the subject i s s u b o r d i n a t e d t o n o r m s , a n d the n o r m s are s u b -

h a p p y c o n s c i o u s n e s s . T h e b o n d s m a n takes the p l a c e o f the l o r d

j e c t i v a t i n g , that is, t h e y g i v e a n e t h i c a l s h a p e t o the r e f l e x i v i t y

b y r e c o g n i z i n g h i s o w n f o r m a t i v e c a p a c i t y , b u t o n c e the l o r d

o f t h i s e m e r g i n g subject. T h e s u b j e c t i o n that takes p l a c e u n d e r

i s d i s p l a c e d , the b o n d s m a n b e c o m e s l o r d o v e r h i m s e l f , m o r e

the s i g n of the e t h i c a l is a f l i g h t f r o m fear, a n d so is c o n s t i t u t e d

specifically, l o r d over his o w n b o d y ; this f o r m of reflexivity

as a k i n d of f l i g h t a n d d e n i a l , a f e a r f u l f l i g h t f r o m fear that

s i g n a l s the passage f r o m b o n d a g e t o u n h a p p y c o n s c i o u s n e s s .

c o v e r s its fear first w i t h s t u b b o r n e s s a n d t h e n w i t h r e l i g i o u s

It i n v o l v e s s p l i t t i n g the p s y c h e i n t o t w o p a r t s , a l o r d s h i p a n d a

s e l f - r i g h t e o u s n e s s . T h e m o r e a b s o l u t e the e t h i c a l i m p e r a t i v e

b o n d a g e i n t e r n a l t o a s i n g l e c o n s c i o u s n e s s , w h e r e b y the b o d y

b e c o m e s , the m o r e s t u b b o r n or eigensinnig the e n f o r c e m e n t of

is again d i s s i m u l a t e d as an alterity, b u t w h e r e this alterity is

its l a w , the m o r e the a b s o l u t e n e s s of the m o t i v a t i n g fear is at

n o w i n t e r i o r t o the p s y c h e itself. N o l o n g e r subjected a s a n

o n c e a r t i c u l a t e d a n d r e f u s e d . A b s o l u t e fear i s t h u s d i s p l a c e d

e x t e r n a l i n s t r u m e n t o f l a b o r , the b o d y i s s t i l l s p l i t off f r o m

b y the a b s o l u t e l a w w h i c h , p a r a d o x i c a l l y , r e c o n s t i t u t e d the

c o n s c i o u s n e s s . R e c o n s t i t u t e d a s a n i n t e r i o r a l i e n , the b o d y i s

fear as a fear of the l a w .

s u s t a i n e d t h r o u g h its d i s a v o w a l a s w h a t c o n s c i o u s n e s s m u s t continue to disavow.

A b s o l u t e fear w o u l d j e o p a r d i z e a l l d e t e r m i n a t e t h i n g s , i n c l u d i n g the d e t e r m i n a t e t h i n g n e s s o f the b o n d s m a n . T h e f l i g h t

W h a t i s the f o r m that t h i s s e l f - s u b j e c t i o n takes i n the sec-

f r o m that fear, a fear of d e a t h , vacates the t h i n g l i k e c h a r a c t e r of

t i o n o n the u n h a p p y c o n s c i o u s n e s s ? I n the first i n s t a n c e , i t i s a

the subject. T h i s e n t a i l s v a c a t i n g the b o d y a n d c l i n g i n g t o w h a t

f o r m of s t u b b o r n n e s s (eigensinnigkeit). It has a " m i n d of one's

appears to be most disembodied: thought. H e g e l introduces

o w n " or "self-will," but one w h i c h is nevertheless s t i l l a f o r m

s t o i c i s m as a k i n d of d e f e n s i v e c l i n g i n g , o n e that separates

r Stubborn Attachment, Bodily Subjection

Hegel's Unhappy Consciousness

the a c t i v i t y o f t h i n k i n g f r o m a n y c o n t e n t . F o r H e g e l , s t o i c i s m

f o r m o f s t u b b o r n n e s s o r eigensinnigkeit: " i t i s i n fact l i k e the

w i t h d r a w s i n t o a subjective a n d r a t i o n a l existence that has as

s q u a b b l i n g o f s e l f - w i l l e d c h i l d r e n [eigensinniger Jungen] w h o b y

44

45

its h i g h e s t a i m the a b s o l u t e w i t h d r a w a l f r o m existence p e r se,

c o n t r a d i c t i n g t h e m s e l v e s b u y for t h e m s e l v e s the p l e a s u r e [die

i n c l u d i n g its o w n . T h i s task t u r n s o u t t o b e s e l f - r e f u t i n g , o f

Freude]

c o u r s e , i n s o f a r as e v e n s e l f - r e f u t a t i o n r e q u i r e s a p e r s i s t e n t self

The skeptic overrides his o w n contradictoriness in order to

t o enact the w i t h d r a w a l f r o m its o w n a n d o t h e r existences.

t a k e p l e a s u r e i n f o r c i n g others t o w i t n e s s t h e i r c o n t r a d i c -

B e c a u s e the c o n c e p t u a l act of n e g a t i o n a l w a y s p r e s u p p o s e s a

tions. But this pleasure, a f o r m of s a d i s m , is short-lived, for

p o s i t i o n f r o m w h i c h that n e g a t i o n takes p l a c e , s t o i c i s m e n d s

the s t u b b o r n a n d p e r s i s t e n t c h a r a c t e r o f the s k e p t i c ' s efforts

u p u n d e r s c o r i n g the v e r y p o s i t i v i t y o f the self that i t s o u g h t

w i l l d o u b t l e s s b e c h a l l e n g e d w h e n the s k e p t i c e n c o u n t e r s

t o deny. S k e p t i c i s m f o l l o w s u p o n s t o i c i s m f o r H e g e l b e c a u s e

a n o t h e r l i k e h i m s e l f . I f a n o t h e r s k e p t i c e x p o s e s the first s k e p -

s k e p t i c i s m b e g i n s b y p r e s u p p o s i n g the i n s u p e r a b i l i t y o f the

tic's c o n t r a d i c t i o n s , t h e n the first s k e p t i c i s f o r c e d t o t a k e ac-

of c o n t i n u a l l y c o n t r a d i c t i n g o n e a n o t h e r " (126/162).

t h i n k i n g subject. F o r s k e p t i c i s m , the self is a p e r p e t u a l l y n e -

count of his o w n contradictoriness. This u n d e r s t a n d i n g of his

g a t i n g a c t i v i t y , a c t i v e l y r e f u t i n g the e x i s t e n c e o f e v e r y t h i n g a s

o w n contradictoriness w i l l initiate for h i m a n e w m o d a l i t y

its o w n c o n s t i t u t i v e a c t i v i t y .

o f t h o u g h t . A t t h i s p o i n t , the s k e p t i c b e c o m e s s e l f - c o n s c i o u s

S k e p t i c i s m negates the d o m a i n o f a l t e r i t y b y t r y i n g t o s h o w

o f the c o n s t i t u t i v e c o n t r a d i c t i o n o f h i s o w n n e g a t i n g a c t i v i t y

that a n y g i v e n d e t e r m i n a t i o n o f l o g i c a l n e c e s s i t y t u r n s i n t o its

a n d the u n h a p p y c o n s c i o u s n e s s e m e r g e s a s a n e x p l i c i t f o r m o f

o p p o s i t e a n d , hence, i s n o t w h a t i t is. T h e s k e p t i c traces a n d

ethical reflexivity.

focuses o n t h i s c o n s t a n t v a n i s h i n g o f d e t e r m i n a t e a p p e a r a n c e

I n a sense, the c h i l d i s h a n d s t u b b o r n p l e a s u r e that the s k e p -

w i t h o u t t a k i n g i n t o a c c o u n t the d i a l e c t i c a l l o g i c that o r c h e s -

tic takes i n w a t c h i n g a n o t h e r f a l l t u r n s i n t o a p r o f o u n d u n -

trates a n d u n i f i e s these v a r i o u s o p p o s i t i o n s . H e n c e , n o t h i n g

h a p p i n e s s w h e n he is, as it w e r e , f o r c e d to watch himself f a l l i n t o

i s w h a t i t is, a n d there i s n o l o g i c a l o r e m p i r i c a l g r o u n d ac-

e n d l e s s c o n t r a d i c t i o n s . H e r e the d i s t a n c e a f f o r d e d b y w a t c h -

c e s s i b l e t o the s k e p t i c o n w h i c h the d o m a i n o f a l t e r i t y m i g h t

i n g seems e s s e n t i a l l y l i n k e d t o the s a d i s m o f the p l e a s u r e a n d

rationally be k n o w n . The skeptic's t h i n k i n g becomes a fran-

t o the p o s t u r e o f the s k e p t i c a s o n e w h o e x e m p t s h i m s e l f

tic effort t o m a k e e v e r y g i v e n d e t e r m i n a t i o n d i s a p p e a r i n t o

t h r o u g h v i s u a l d i s t a n c e f r o m the scene that h e w i t n e s s e s . T h e

s o m e o t h e r one, s o that t h i s c o n s t a n t a p p e a r i n g a n d v a n i s h i n g

s a d i s t i c p l e a s u r e i n v o l v e d i n w a t c h i n g a n o t h e r b e c o m e s , i n the

p r o c e e d s a c c o r d i n g t o n o o r d e r o r necessity. T h e s k e p t i c , l i k e

m o d e o f u n h a p p i n e s s , a d i s p l e a s u r a b l e w a t c h i n g o f oneself.

some n e w historicists a m o n g us, ends up p r o d u c i n g contra-

W i t n e s s i n g i m p l i e s a m i m e t i c r e d u p l i c a t i o n o f the self, a n d its

5

d i c t i o n for its o w n sake: s i g n i f i c a n t l y , H e g e l a r g u e s that t h i s

" d i s p a s s i o n " i s b e l i e d b y the p a s s i o n o f m i m e t i c i s m . T h e self

p r o d u c t i o n o f c h a o s ( u n d e r s t o o d a s ceaseless c o n t r a d i c t i o n ) i s

w h o s h o r e d u p its i d e n t i t y b y e n c o u r a g i n g others t o f a l l i n t o

pleasurable i n a s m u c h as the s k e p t i c is a l w a y s able to u n d e r -

c o n t r a d i c t i o n s u d d e n l y sees itself as o n e of t h o s e o t h e r s ; t h i s

m i n e the p o s i t i o n o f h i s p h i l o s o p h i c a l o p p o n e n t .

v i e w i n g o f oneself a t a d i s t a n c e n o t o n l y i n i t i a t e s the u n h a p p y

T h i s k i n d of pleasurable a n d incessant refutation is still a

c o n s c i o u s n e s s b u t a l s o i n v e r t s the s k e p t i c ' s p l e a s u r e i n t o p a i n .

Stubborn Attachment, B o d i l y Subjection

Hegel's Unhappy Consciousness

T h e s a d i s m d i r e c t e d t o w a r d the other i s n o w t u r n e d b a c k o n

p e r t a i n s t o the subject's o w n p h e n o m e n a l b e i n g . T h e c h i l d w h o

c o n s c i o u s n e s s itself ( p o s t p o n i n g for the m o m e n t w h e t h e r the

" w a t c h e s " i s t r a n s f i g u r e d i n t o the j u d g e w h o "passes j u d g -

p l e a s u r e i n s a d i s m i s a l s o r e r o u t e d against c o n s c i o u s n e s s ) . A s

m e n t , " a n d the aspect o f the self o n w h i c h i t passes j u d g m e n t

a d u a l s t r u c t u r e , the u n h a p p y c o n s c i o u s n e s s takes itself as its

i s s t e e p e d i n the c h a n g e a b l e w o r l d o f b o d i l y s e n s a t i o n .

46

o w n object o f s c o r n .

47

U n h a p p y c o n s c i o u s n e s s seeks t o o v e r c o m e t h i s d u a l i t y b y

T h e p h i l o s o p h i c a l e l a b o r a t i o n o f t h i s s c o r n takes the f o l -

f i n d i n g a b o d y w h i c h e m b o d i e s the p u r i t y o f its u n c h a n g e a b l e

l o w i n g f o r m : c o n s c i o u s n e s s i s n o w d i v i d e d i n t o t w o p a r t s , the

part; i t seeks t o c o m e i n t o r e l a t i o n w i t h "the U n c h a n g e a b l e i n

" e s s e n t i a l " a n d " u n c h a n g e a b l e , " o n the o n e h a n d , a n d the " i n -

its i n c a r n a t e o r e m b o d i e d f o r m . " T o d o this, the subject s u b -

e s s e n t i a l " a n d "changeable," o n the other. T h e w a t c h i n g self,

o r d i n a t e s its o w n b o d y i n the s e r v i c e o f the t h o u g h t o f the

d e f i n e d as a k i n d of witnessing a n d scorning, differentiates itself

u n c h a n g e a b l e ; t h i s s u b o r d i n a t i n g a n d p u r i f y i n g effort i s that

f r o m the self w i t n e s s e d a s p e r p e t u a l l y f a l l i n g i n t o c o n t r a d i c t i o n . T h i s w a t c h i n g b e c o m e s a w a y o f r e e s t a b l i s h i n g the v i s u a l d i s t a n c e b e t w e e n a subject a l o o f f r o m the scene a n d the s u b ject i n c o n t r a d i c t i o n . I n t h i s case, h o w e v e r , the w i t n e s s i n g a n d s c o r n i n g self c a n n o t d e n y that the c o n t r a d i c t o r y self i s its o w n self; it k n o w s that the c o n t r a d i c t o r y self is itself, b u t in o r d e r to s h o r e u p a n i d e n t i t y o v e r a n d against i t , i t r e n d e r s t h i s c o n t r a d i c t o r y self i n t o a n i n e s s e n t i a l p a r t o f itself. I t t h u s p a r t s w i t h itself i n o r d e r t o p u r i f y itself o f c o n t r a d i c t i o n .

of devotion

(Andacht). Yet, p r e d i c t a b l y , t h i s effort to d e p l o y

the b o d y i n the s e r v i c e o f t h i n k i n g the u n c h a n g e a b l e p r o v e s i m p o s s i b l e . D e v o t i o n t u r n s o u t t o b e p u r e self-feeling, w h a t H e g e l d i s p a r a g i n g l y refers t o a s "the c h a o t i c j i n g l i n g o f b e l l s , o r a m i s t o f w a r m i n c e n s e , a m u s i c a l t h i n k i n g " (131/168). A s self-feeling, i t i s the f e e l i n g o f the b o d y c o m p e l l e d t o s i g n i f y the t r a n s c e n d e n t a n d u n c h a n g e a b l e , a f e e l i n g w h i c h n e v e r theless r e m a i n s e n s c o n c e d i n the b o d i l y f e e l i n g that i t seeks t o t r a n s c e n d . I n d e e d , self-feeling refers o n l y a n d e n d l e s s l y t o

A s a r e s u l t , the u n h a p p y c o n s c i o u s n e s s berates itself c o n -

itself (a t r a n s c e n d e n t a l i z e d f o r m of eigensinnigkeit), a n d so is

stantly, s e t t i n g u p o n e p a r t o f itself a s a p u r e j u d g e a l o o f f r o m

u n a b l e t o f u r n i s h k n o w l e d g e o f a n y t h i n g o t h e r t h a n itself.

c o n t r a d i c t i o n a n d d i s p a r a g i n g its c h a n g e a b l e p a r t a s i n e s s e n -

D e v o t i o n , t h e n , w h i c h seeks t o i n s t r u m e n t a l i z e the b o d y i n

t i a l , a l t h o u g h i n e l u c t a b l y t i e d t o it. S i g n i f i c a n t l y , the a c t i v i t y that i n s k e p t i c i s m b e g i n s a s c h i l d i s h s a d i s m b e c o m e s r e f o r m u l a t e d a s e t h i c a l s e l f - j u d g m e n t i n the context o f the u n h a p p y c o n s c i o u s n e s s : a s a d u l t t o c h i l d , t h e n , the u n c h a n g e a b l e c o n s c i o u s n e s s "passes j u d g m e n t " o n the changeable. I m p l i c i t i n t h i s d u a l s t r u c t u r i n g o f the subject, h o w e v e r , i s the r e l a t i o n b e t w e e n t h o u g h t a n d c o r p o r e a l i t y , for the u n c h a n g e a b l e w i l l b e a k i n d o f n o n c o n t r a d i c t o r y t h o u g h t , the p u r e t h o u g h t s o u g h t b y the stoics, a n d the c o n t r a d i c t o r y d o m a i n w i l l b e that o f altern a t i n g q u a l i t i e s , the c h a n g e a b l e d o m a i n o f a p p e a r a n c e , w h a t

the s e r v i c e o f the u n c h a n g e a b l e , t u r n s o u t t o b e a n i m m e r s i o n i n the b o d y that p r e c l u d e s access t o a n y t h i n g else, i n d e e d , a n i m m e r s i o n that takes the b o d y t o b e the u n c h a n g e a b l e a n d s o falls i n t o c o n t r a d i c t i o n . A l t h o u g h devotion appears to be a f o r m of self-immersion, it is a l s o a c o n t i n u a t i o n of s e l f - b e r a t e m e n t as s e l f - m o r t i f i c a t i o n . T h i s self-feeling, p r e c i s e l y b e c a u s e i t d o e s n o t r e a c h the u n c h a n g e a b l e , b e c o m e s itself the object o f d e r i s i o n a n d j u d g m e n t , m a r k i n g the c o n t i n u i n g i n a d e q u a c y o f the self i n r e l a t i o n t o its t r a n s c e n d e n t m e a s u r e . T h e t r a n s c e n d e n t i s w h a t i s a l w a y s

Stubborn Attachment, B o d i l y Subjection

Hegel's Unhappy Consciousness

m i s s e d , a n d so h a u n t s t h i s c o n s c i o u s n e s s as a figure of w h a t

s a c r e d life, C h r i s t i s u n d e r s t o o d a s a n e m b o d i m e n t w h i c h i s

48

49

i s p e r m a n e n t l y i n a c c e s s i b l e , f o r e v e r lost. I n the m o d e o f d e v o -

c o n t i n u a l l y i n the m o d e o f g i v i n g t h a n k s . I n its d e s i r e a n d i n

tion, then, "consciousness . . . can o n l y find as a present reality

its w o r k , t h i s e m b o d i e d c o n s c i o u s n e s s seeks t o g i v e t h a n k s for

the g r a v e of its l i f e " (132/169-70). In a t r a n s p o s i t i o n of fig-

its o w n life, c a p a c i t i e s , f a c u l t i e s , a b i l i t i e s . T h e s e are g i v e n t o

ures, the b o d y s u r v i v e s , a n d a l l that i s left o f the t r a n s c e n d e n t

it; its life is e x p e r i e n c e d as a gift; a n d it l i v e s o u t its life in the

i d e a l is a "grave." W h e r e a s d e v o t i o n , t h e n , b e g i n s as an effort

m o d e o f gratefulness. A l l o f its acts i t o w e s t o a n o t h e r ; its life

to s u b o r d i n a t e the b o d y to a t r a n s c e n d e n t object, it e n d s by

b e c o m e s u n d e r s t o o d a s a k i n d o f e n d l e s s debt.

t a k i n g the b o d y , that is, self-feeling, as its object of w o r s h i p , a n d l e t t i n g the u n c h a n g e a b l e s p i r i t die.

P r e c i s e l y because, o n the o n e h a n d , t h i s l i v i n g b e i n g o w e s its life t o a n o t h e r b e i n g , i t i s n o t the seat o r o r i g i n o f its o w n a c -

H e r e w e m i g h t c o n c l u d e that a c e r t a i n f o r m o f s e l f - p r e o c c u -

t i o n s . Its a c t i o n i s r e f e r r e d t o a n o t h e r ' s a c t i o n ; t h u s , n o t b e i n g

p a t i o n , u n d e r s t o o d as a r e f o r m u l a t i o n of an i n s u r m o u n t a b l e

the g r o u n d o f its o w n a c t i o n , i t i s n o t r e s p o n s i b l e for w h a t i t

eigensinnigkeit, c o n s t i t u t e s a n a r c i s s i s m of the subject that d e -

does. O n the o t h e r h a n d , its o w n a c t i o n s are t o b e c o n s t r u e d

feats the s e l f - s a c r i f i c i a l project o f d e v o t i o n . T h e subject w h o

as a p e r p e t u a l self-sacrifice by w h i c h the self proves or d e m o n -

w o u l d s u b o r d i n a t e its b o d y t o a n i d e a l , c o m p e l its b o d y t o

strates its o w n t h a n k f u l n e s s . T h i s d e m o n s t r a t i o n o f t h a n k f u l -

e m b o d y a n i d e a l , f i n d s itself m o r e f u l l y a u t o n o m o u s f r o m that

ness t h u s b e c o m e s a k i n d o f s e l f - a g g r a n d i z e m e n t , w h a t H e g e l

i d e a l , o u t l i v i n g i t altogether. T h e c o l l a p s e o f d e v o t i o n i n t o n a r -

w i l l c a l l "the e x t r e m e o f i n d i v i d u a l i t y " (134/171).

c i s s i s m , i f w e c a n c a l l i t that, s i g n i f i e s that there c a n b e n o f i n a l

T h e r e n u n c i a t i o n o f the self a s the o r i g i n o f its o w n a c -

l e a v e - t a k i n g o f the b o d y w i t h i n life. F o r c e d , t h e n , t o a c c e p t

tions must be p e r f o r m e d repeatedly a n d can never finally be

t h i s i n e l u c t a b i l i t y of the b o d y as a p r e s u p p o s i t i o n , a n e w f o r m

a c h i e v e d , if o n l y b e c a u s e the demonstration of r e n u n c i a t i o n is

o f the subject e m e r g e s , w h i c h i s d i s t i n c t l y K a n t i a n . I f there i s

itself a s e l f - w i l l e d a c t i o n . T h i s s e l f - w i l l e d a c t i o n t h u s r h e t o r i -

a w o r l d o f a p p e a r a n c e for w h i c h the b o d y i s e s s e n t i a l , t h e n

cally confounds precisely what it is supposed to show. The

s u r e l y there i s a w o r l d o f n o u m e n a i n w h i c h the b o d y has n o

self b e c o m e s a n i n c e s s a n t p e r f o r m e r o f r e n u n c i a t i o n , w h e r e b y

p l a c e ; the w o r l d d i v i d e s u p i n t o b e i n g s that are f o r - i t s e l f a n d

the p e r f o r m a n c e , a s a n a c t i o n , c o n t r a d i c t s the p o s t u l a t i o n o f

in-itself. I n a f o r m u l a t i o n that w i l l p r e f i g u r e K i e r k e g a a r d ' s Philosophical Fragments, H e g e l c l a i m s that the u n c h a n g e a b l e w o r l d

/«action that it is m e a n t to s i g n i f y . P a r a d o x i c a l l y , p e r f o r m a n c e b e c o m e s the occasion f o r a g r a n d a n d e n d l e s s a c t i o n that effect i v e l y a u g m e n t s a n d i n d i v i d u a t e s the self i t seeks t o deny.

s u r r e n d e r s o r r e n o u n c e s a n e m b o d i e d f o r m , that it, the i n -

T h i s c o n s c i o u s n e s s , l i k e the stoic, seeks t o k n o w a n d s h o w

itself, d e l i v e r s a n e m b o d i e d v e r s i o n o f itself i n t o the c h a n g e -

itself as a " n o t h i n g , " yet i n e v i t a b l y b e c o m e s a doing of n o t h -

able w o r l d t o b e s a c r i f i c e d . T h i s reference t o the f i g u r e o f

i n g . H e r e the p l e a s u r e w h i c h e a r l i e r a p p e a r e d t o b e l o n g t o

C h r i s t suggests that the u n c h a n g e a b l e w o r l d b e c o m e s e m -

the c h i l d i s h s a d i s m o f the s k e p t i c i s t u r n e d o n the self: t h i s

b o d i e d , b u t does s o o n l y t o b e s a c r i f i c e d o r r e t u r n e d t o the

"doing of n o t h i n g , " H e g e l argues, finds in "its enjoyment a

u n c h a n g e a b l e w o r l d f r o m w h i c h i t c a m e . A s a m o d e l for the

feeling of wretchedness." This i n t e r m i n g l i n g of pleasure a n d

Stubborn Attachment, B o d i l y Subjection

Hegel's Unhappy Consciousness

p a i n r e s u l t s f r o m a r e n u n c i a t i o n o f the self w h i c h c a n n e v e r

an e x p e r i e n c e of w r e t c h e d n e s s , there is s o m e c o n s c i o u s n e s s

q u i t e a c c o m p l i s h that r e n u n c i a t i o n , w h i c h , a s a n i n c e s s a n t ac-

w h i c h takes s t o c k o f these f u n c t i o n s a n d w h i c h i s n o t t h o r -

c o m p l i s h i n g , c a r r i e s w i t h i t the p l e a s u r a b l e a s s e r t i o n o f self.

o u g h l y i d e n t i f i e d w i t h t h e m . S i g n i f i c a n t l y , i t i s h e r e , i n the

T h e s e l f - a b s o r p t i o n o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s d o e s n o t translate i n t o

effort t o differentiate itself f r o m its e x c r e t o r y f u n c t i o n s , i n -

50

5i

s e l f - c o n g r a t u l a t i o n o r s i m p l e n a r c i s s i s m . Rather, i t a p p e a r s a s

d e e d , f r o m its e x c r e t o r y i d e n t i t y , that c o n s c i o u s n e s s r e l i e s o n

negative narcissism, an engaged preoccupation w i t h what is

a " m e d i a t o r , " w h a t H e g e l w i l l c a l l "the p r i e s t . " I n o r d e r t o r e -

m o s t d e b a s e d a n d d e f i l e d a b o u t it.

c o n n e c t w i t h the p u r e a n d the u n c h a n g e a b l e , t h i s b o d i l y c o n -

H e r e a g a i n the self to be r e n o u n c e d is f i g u r e d as a b o d i l y

s c i o u s n e s s offers u p its e v e r y " d o i n g " t o a p r i e s t o r m i n i s t e r .

self, a s " t h i s a c t u a l i n d i v i d u a l i n the a n i m a l f u n c t i o n s . " H e g e l

T h i s m e d i a t i n g a g e n c y r e l i e v e s the abject c o n s c i o u s n e s s o f its

a p p e a r s t o i m p l y d e f e c a t i o n a s a n object o f s e l f - p r e o c c u p a t i o n :

r e s p o n s i b i l i t y for its o w n a c t i o n s . T h r o u g h the i n s t i t u t i o n o f

"these [ a n i m a l f u n c t i o n s ] are n o l o n g e r p e r f o r m e d n a t u r a l l y

c o u n s e l a n d a d v i c e , the p r i e s t offers the r e a s o n for the abject

a n d w i t h o u t embarrassment, as matters trifling in themselves

c o n s c i o u s n e s s ' s a c t i o n s . E v e r y t h i n g that the abject c o n s c i o u s -

w h i c h c a n n o t possess a n y i m p o r t a n c e o r e s s e n t i a l s i g n i f i c a n c e

ness offers, that is, a l l o f its e x t e r n a l i z a t i o n s , i n c l u d i n g d e s i r e ,

for S p i r i t ; i n s t e a d , i t i s i n t h e m that the e n e m y r e v e a l s h i m -

w o r k , a n d e x c r e m e n t , are to be c o n s t r u e d as offerings, as p a y -

self i n h i s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s h a p e , t h e y are r a t h e r the object o f

i n g p e n a n c e . T h e p r i e s t i n s t i t u t e s b o d i l y s e l f - a b n e g a t i o n a s the

s e r i o u s e n d e a v o r , a n d b e c o m e p r e c i s e l y m a t t e r s o f the u t -

p r i c e o f h o l i n e s s , e l e v a t i n g the r e n u n c i a t o r y g e s t u r e o f e x c r e -

most importance. This enemy, however, renews himself in his

t i o n t o a r e l i g i o u s p r a c t i c e w h e r e b y the e n t i r e b o d y i s r i t u -

defeat, a n d c o n s c i o u s n e s s , i n f i x i n g its a t t e n t i o n o n h i m , far

a l i s t i c a l l y p u r g e d . T h e s a n c t i f i c a t i o n o f a b j e c t i o n takes p l a c e

f r o m f r e e i n g itself f r o m h i m , r e a l l y r e m a i n s f o r e v e r i n contact

t h r o u g h r i t u a l s of f a s t i n g a n d m o r t i f i c a t i o n [fasten uni kas-

w i t h h i m , a n d f o r e v e r sees itself a s d e f i l e d " (135-36/174). T h i s

teien]" (137/175). B e c a u s e the b o d y c a n n o t be f u l l y d e n i e d , as

"enemy," as it w e r e , is d e s c r i b e d as "the m e r e s t p a r t i c u l a r of

the stoic t h o u g h t , i t m u s t b e r i t u a l i s t i c a l l y r e n o u n c e d .

the m e a n e s t character," o n e w h i c h serves, u n f o r t u n a t e l y , a s a n

I n its fastings a n d m o r t i f i c a t i o n s , the u n h a p p y c o n s c i o u s -

object o f i d e n t i f i c a t i o n for t h i s " f a l l e n " c o n s c i o u s n e s s . H e r e ,

ness d e n i e s itself the p l e a s u r e s o f c o n s u m p t i o n , f i g u r i n g p e r -

c o n s c i o u s n e s s i n its f u l l a b j e c t i o n has b e c o m e l i k e shit, lost i n

h a p s that i t w i l l f o r e s t a l l the i n e v i t a b i l i t y o f the e x c r e m e n t a l

a s e l f - r e f e r e n t i a l a n a l i t y , a c i r c l e of its o w n m a k i n g . In H e g e l ' s

m o m e n t . A s s e l f - i n f l i c t e d b o d i l y acts, f a s t i n g a n d m o r t i f i c a t i o n

w o r d s , " w e h a v e here o n l y a p e r s o n a l i t y c o n f i n e d t o its o w n

are r e f l e x i v e a c t i o n s , t u r n i n g s o f the b o d y against itself. A t the

self a n d its p e t t y a c t i o n s , a p e r s o n a l i t y b r o o d i n g o v e r itself, as

l i m i t s o f t h i s s e l f - m o r t i f i c a t i o n a n d self-sacrifice, the abjected

w r e t c h e d as it is i m p o v e r i s h e d " (136/174).

c o n s c i o u s n e s s a p p e a r s t o g r o u n d its a c t i o n i n the c o u n s e l o f

R e g a r d i n g itself as a n o t h i n g , as a d o i n g of n o t h i n g , as an e x c r e m e n t a l f u n c t i o n , a n d h e n c e r e g a r d i n g itself a s e x c r e m e n t ,

the p r i e s t , a n d yet t h i s g r o u n d i n g m e r e l y c o n c e a l s the r e f l e x i v e o r i g i n s o f its s e l f - p u n i s h m e n t .

t h i s c o n s c i o u s n e s s effectively r e d u c e s itself to the c h a n g e a b l e

A t t h i s j u n c t u r e H e g e l d e p a r t s f r o m w h a t has b e e n the pat-

features o f its b o d i l y f u n c t i o n s a n d p r o d u c t s . Yet, s i n c e i t i s

t e r n o f e x p l a n a t i o n , i n w h i c h a self-negating p o s t u r e i s u n d e r -

Stubborn Attachment, B o d i l y Subjection

Hegel's Unhappy Consciousness

s c o r e d as a posture, a p h e n o m e n a l i z a t i o n that refutes the n e g a -

f r o m p a i n , f i g u r e d a s its f u t u r e c o m p e n s a t i o n . F o r H e g e l , t h i s

t i o n i t seeks t o i n s t i t u t e . I n the p l a c e o f s u c h a n e x p l a n a t i o n ,

e s c h a t o l o g i c a l t r a n s f o r m a t i o n o f the p a i n o f t h i s w o r l d i n t o

H e g e l asserts that the w i l l o f a n o t h e r operates t h r o u g h the self-

the p l e a s u r e of the n e x t establishes the t r a n s i t i o n f r o m self-

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53

s a c r i f i c i a l a c t i o n s of the p e n i t e n t . In effect, self-sacrifice is n o t

consciousness to reason. A n d self-consciousness's recognition

r e f u t e d t h r o u g h the c l a i m that self-sacrifice i s itself a w i l l f u l

of itself as p a r t of a r e l i g i o u s c o m m u n i t y of w i l l s effects the

a c t i v i t y ; rather, H e g e l asserts that i n self-sacrifice one enacts

transition f r o m self-consciousness to Spirit.

a n o t h e r ' s w i l l . O n e m i g h t e x p e c t that the p e n i t e n t w o u l d b e

B u t w h a t are w e t o m a k e o f t h i s f i n a l t r a n s i t i o n , c o n s i d e r i n g

s h o w n to be reveling in himself, self-aggrandizing, narcissis-

the i m m a n e n t r e l a t i o n o f p l e a s u r e a n d p a i n i n the t r a n s i t i o n s

t i c , that h i s s e l f - p u n i s h m e n t s w o u l d c u l m i n a t e i n a p l e a s u r a b l e

that p r e c e d e it? B e f o r e the i n t r o d u c t i o n o f the " m e d i a t o r " a n d

a s s e r t i o n o f self. B u t H e g e l e s c h e w s t h i s e x p l a n a t i o n a n d t h u s

the " p r i e s t , " the c h a p t e r o n the u n h a p p y c o n s c i o u s n e s s a p -

b r e a k s w i t h the p a t t e r n o f e x p l a n a t i o n i n the c h a p t e r i n f a v o r

p e a r s to p r o c e e d as if it c o n t a i n e d a t r e n c h a n t c r i t i q u e of e t h i -

of a religious solution in Spirit.

cal imperatives a n d r e l i g i o u s ideals, a critique w h i c h prefig-

I n d e e d , at t h i s j u n c t u r e o n e m i g h t w e l l i m a g i n e a set of

u r e s the N i e t z s c h e a n a n a l y s i s that e m e r g e s s o m e s i x t y y e a r s

c l o s i n g t r a n s i t i o n s f o r " T h e U n h a p p y C o n s c i o u s n e s s " differ-

later. E v e r y effort t o r e d u c e itself t o i n a c t i o n o r t o n o t h i n g ,

ent f r o m the ones H e g e l s u p p l i e s , a set that is, n e v e r t h e l e s s ,

t o s u b o r d i n a t e o r m o r t i f y its o w n b o d y , c u l m i n a t e s i n a d v e r -

perhaps more p r o p e r l y Hegelian than H e g e l himself. The peni-

t e n t l y in the production of s e l f - c o n s c i o u s n e s s as a p l e a s u r e -

tent d i s c l a i m s h i s act a s h i s o w n , a v o w i n g that a n o t h e r ' s w i l l ,

s e e k i n g a n d s e l f - a g g r a n d i z i n g agent. E v e r y effort t o o v e r c o m e

the p r i e s t ' s , operates t h r o u g h h i s self-sacrifice, a n d , further,

the b o d y , p l e a s u r e , a n d a g e n c y p r o v e s t o b e n o t h i n g o t h e r

that the p r i e s t ' s w i l l i s d e t e r m i n e d b y G o d ' s . I n s t a l l e d t h u s

t h a n the a s s e r t i o n of p r e c i s e l y those features of the subject.

i n a great c h a i n o f w i l l s , the abject c o n s c i o u s n e s s enters i n t o a c o m m u n i t y o f w i l l s . A l t h o u g h its w i l l i s d e t e r m i n a t e , i t i s

Post-Hegelian

Subjections

n e v e r t h e l e s s b o u n d t o the p r i e s t ' s ; i n this u n i t y , the n o t i o n o f S p i r i t i s first d i s c e r n e d . T h e m e d i a t o r o r p r i e s t c o u n s e l s the

The Nietzschean critique of ethical norms, prefigured in

p e n i t e n t that h i s p a i n w i l l b e r e p a i d w i t h e v e r l a s t i n g a b u n -

"The U n h a p p y Consciousness" and articulated in Nietzsche's

d a n c e , that h i s m i s e r y w i l l b e r e w a r d e d w i t h e v e r l a s t i n g h a p -

On the Genealogy of Morals a n d Daybreak, has r e c e i v e d m o r e

piness; misery a n d p a i n i m p l y a future transformation into

recent r e f o r m u l a t i o n in F o u c a u l t ' s Discipline and Punish. B o t h

t h e i r o p p o s i t e s . I n t h i s sense, the m i n i s t e r r e f o r m u l a t e s the

H e g e l ' s p o s i t i o n a n d those i n s p i r e d b y N i e t z s c h e m i g h t a l s o

d i a l e c t i c a l r e v e r s a l a n d establishes the i n v e r s i o n o f v a l u e s a s

b e u s e f u l l y c o m p a r e d w i t h F r e u d ' s c r i t i q u e o f the genesis

a n a b s o l u t e p r i n c i p l e . W h e r e a s i n a l l o f the e a r l i e r e x a m p l e s

of m o r a l i m p e r a t i v e s in Civilization and Its Discontents. R e c a l l

o f s e l f - n e g a t i o n p l e a s u r e w a s u n d e r s t o o d t o inhere i n p a i n

that for H e g e l e t h i c a l i m p e r a t i v e s first e m e r g e i n a d e f e n s i v e

(the p l e a s u r a b l e a g g r a n d i z e m e n t o f the stoic, the p l e a s u r a b l e

r e s p o n s e t o a b s o l u t e fear, a n d t h e i r e m e r g e n c e m u s t b e c o n -

s a d i s m o f the s k e p t i c ) , p l e a s u r e i s h e r e t e m p o r a l l y r e m o v e d

s t r u e d as a p e r m u t a t i o n a n d r e f u s a l of that fear. T h i s a b s o l u t e

Stubborn Attachment, B o d i l y Subjection

Hegel's Unhappy Consciousness

fear w a s the fear of d e a t h , h e n c e a fear c o n d i t i o n e d by the

b o d y within life, efforts w h i c h c u l m i n a t e d i n the a s s e r t i o n o f

finite c h a r a c t e r o f the b o d y . T h e e t h i c a l r e f u s a l a n d s u b o r d i -

the i n e l u c t a b i l i t y o f the b o d y . W h e r e a s o t h e r r e l i g i o u s n o t i o n s

54

55

n a t i o n o f the b o d y m i g h t t h e n b e u n d e r s t o o d a s a m a g i c a l

t u r n e d o u t t o b e s u r r e p t i t i o u s w a y s o f r e a s s e r t i n g the b o d y ,

effort t o p r e e m p t that e x i s t e n t i a l n e g a t i o n . M o r e o v e r , the i d e a l

t h i s o n e a p p e a r s e x e m p t f r o m the d i a l e c t i c a l r e v e r s a l that i t

o f r a d i c a l self-sufficiency i s j e o p a r d i z e d b y the b o d y ' s p e r m e -

resolves.

a b i l i t y a n d d e p e n d e n c y . I n t h i s sense, e x c r e t i o n i s n o t the o n l y

P s y c h o a n a l y s i s t h e o r i z e s the f a i l u r e t o m a i n t a i n the subjec-

" a n i m a l f u n c t i o n " that w o u l d s i g n i f y " d e f i l e m e n t " f o r t h i s s u b -

t i o n o f the b o d y a l o n g l i n e s p a r a l l e l t o these e a r l i e r d i a l e c t i c a l

ject. T h e r e p e a t e d efforts t o sacrifice the b o d y w h i c h b e c o m e

reversals. T h e r e p r e s s i o n o f the l i b i d o i s a l w a y s u n d e r s t o o d

r e p e a t e d a s s e r t i o n s o f the b o d y are a l s o efforts t o d e f e n d i t

as itself a l i b i d i n a l l y i n v e s t e d r e p r e s s i o n . H e n c e , the l i b i d o is

a g a i n s t e v e r y t h i n g that " j e o p a r d i z e s " it, w h e r e t o b e i n " j e o p -

not absolutely negated t h r o u g h repression, but rather becomes

a r d y " d e n o t e s a d a n g e r s l i g h t l y less d i r e t h a n d e a t h , a k i n d

the i n s t r u m e n t o f its o w n s u b j e c t i o n . T h e r e p r e s s i v e l a w i s

o f p e n e t r a t i v e p a r o x y s m that i m p l i e s b e i n g m o v e d o r s h a k e n

n o t e x t e r n a l t o the l i b i d o that i t represses, b u t the r e p r e s s i v e

s e x u a l l y " t h r o u g h a n d t h r o u g h " (durch und durch angesteckt).

l a w represses t o the extent that r e p r e s s i o n b e c o m e s a l i b i d i -

O n e c o u l d t h e n see i n the v a r i o u s f o r m s o f s e l f - b e r a t e m e n t a n d

n a l a c t i v i t y . F u r t h e r , m o r a l i n t e r d i c t i o n s , e s p e c i a l l y t h o s e that 7

self-mortification typologized in "The U n h a p p y Conscious-

are t u r n e d a g a i n s t the b o d y , are t h e m s e l v e s s u s t a i n e d b y the

n e s s " a p r é f i g u r a t i o n of n e u r o s i s a n d p e r h a p s a l s o a s p e c i f i c

b o d i l y a c t i v i t y that t h e y seek t o c u r b :

modality of homosexual panic.

6

W e m i g h t t h e n r e r e a d the m o b i l i z i n g fear that i s b o t h r e f u s e d a n d r e r o u t e d b y the e t h i c a l i m p e r a t i v e i n t e r m s o f the f e a r e d " e x p r o p r i a b i l i t y " o f the b o d y . I f the b o n d s m a n ' s l a b o r i n g a c t i v i t y c o u l d b e e x p r o p r i a t e d b y the l o r d a n d the essence o f the b o n d s m a n ' s b o d y b e h e l d i n o w n e r s h i p b y that l o r d ,

An idea . . . w h i c h belongs entirely to psychoanalysis and w h i c h is foreign to people's ordinary way of thinking . . . it tells us that conscience (or more correctly, the anxiety w h i c h later becomes conscience) is indeed the cause of instinctual renunciation to begin w i t h , but that later that relationship is reversed. Every renunciation of i n stinct n o w becomes a dynamic source of conscience and every fresh renunciation increases the latter's severity and intolerance. 8

t h e n the b o d y c o n s t i t u t e s a site of c o n t e s t e d o w n e r s h i p , o n e w h i c h t h r o u g h d o m i n a t i o n o r the threat o f d e a t h c a n a l w a y s

A c c o r d i n g t o F r e u d , t h e n , the s e l f - i m p o s e d i m p e r a t i v e s o f c o n -

b e o w n e d b y another. T h e b o d y a p p e a r s t o b e n o t h i n g other

s c i e n c e are p u r s u e d a n d a p p l i e d p r e c i s e l y b e c a u s e t h e y are

t h a n a threat to the project of safety a n d self-sufficiency that

n o w the site o f the v e r y s a t i s f a c t i o n that t h e y seek t o p r o -

g o v e r n s the Phenomenology's trajectory. T h e

h i b i t . I n o t h e r w o r d s , p r o h i b i t i o n b e c o m e s the d i s p l a c e d site

anal preoccupa-

t i o n that d i r e c t l y p r e c e d e s the a s c e n d a n c e i n t o a r e l i g i o u s c o n -

o f s a t i s f a c t i o n f o r the " i n s t i n c t " o r d e s i r e that i s p r o h i b i t e d ,

c e p t o f a n afterlife suggests that b o d i l y p e r m e a b i l i t y c a n o n l y

a n o c c a s i o n f o r r e l i v i n g the i n s t i n c t u n d e r the r u b r i c o f the

b e r e s o l v e d b y escape i n t o a n afterlife i n w h i c h n o b o d i e s exist

c o n d e m n i n g law. T h i s is, o f c o u r s e , the s o u r c e o f the f o r m o f

a t a l l . T h i s a f f i r m a t i o n o f the a b s o l u t e n e g a t i o n o f the b o d y

c o m e d y i n w h i c h the b e a r e r o f the m o r a l l a w t u r n s o u t t o

c o n t r a d i c t s a l l the e a r l i e r efforts t o s u b o r d i n a t e o r m a s t e r the

Stubborn Attachment, B o d i l y Subjection

Hegel's Unhappy Consciousness

b e the m o s t s e r i o u s t r a n s g r e s s o r o f its p r e c e p t s ( H a w t h o r n e ' s

meaning of all this is a w i l l to nothingness, a w i l l running counter to life, a revolt against the most fundamental presuppositions of life; yet it is and remains a w i l l ! . . . rather than want nothing, man even wants nothingness!

56

D i m s d a l e , T o m Stoppard's m o r a l philosopher). Because this d i s p l a c e d s a t i s f a c t i o n i s e x p e r i e n c e d t h r o u g h the a p p l i c a t i o n o f the l a w , that a p p l i c a t i o n i s r e i n v i g o r a t e d a n d i n t e n s i f i e d w i t h the e m e r g e n c e o f e v e r y p r o h i b i t e d desire. T h e p r o h i b i t i o n d o e s n o t seek t o o b l i t e r a t e p r o h i b i t e d d e s i r e ; o n the c o n t r a r y , p r o h i b i t i o n seeks t o r e p r o d u c e p r o h i b i t e d d e s i r e a n d b e c o m e s i n t e n s i f i e d t h r o u g h the r e n u n c i a t i o n s i t effects. T h e "afterlife" o f p r o h i b i t e d d e s i r e i s i n the p r o h i b i t i o n itself, w h e r e the p r o h i b i t i o n n o t o n l y s u s t a i n s , b u t is sustained by, the d e s i r e that it forces the subject to r e n o u n c e . In t h i s sense, t h e n , r e n u n c i a t i o n

57

9

I d o n o t m e a n t o suggest that F r e u d ' s h i g h l y p r o b l e m a t i c n o t i o n of instinct, Hegel's inchoate body, a n d Nietzsche's w i l l are s t r i c t l y e q u i v a l e n t . Yet I do w a n t to suggest that these three thinkers circumscribe a k i n d of dialectical reversal w h i c h centers o n the i m p o s s i b i l i t y o f a f u l l o r f i n a l r e f l e x i v e s u p p r e s s i o n o f w h a t w e m i g h t l o o s e l y c a l l "the b o d y " w i t h i n the c o n f i n e s o f life. I f the s u p p r e s s i o n o f the b o d y i s itself a n i n s t r u m e n t a l

takes p l a c e through the v e r y d e s i r e that is r e n o u n c e d , w h i c h is

m o v e m e n t o f a n d b y the b o d y , t h e n the b o d y i s i n a d v e r t e n t l y

to say, the d e s i r e is never r e n o u n c e d , b u t b e c o m e s p r e s e r v e d

p r e s e r v e d i n a n d b y the i n s t r u m e n t o f its s u p p r e s s i o n . T h e self-

a n d r e a s s e r t e d i n the v e r y s t r u c t u r e o f r e n u n c i a t i o n .

d e f e a t i n g effort o f s u c h s u p p r e s s i o n , h o w e v e r , n o t o n l y l e a d s

Nietzsche makes a similar argument, deploying a dialecti-

t o its o p p o s i t e — a s e l f - c o n g r a t u l a t o r y o r s e l f - a g g r a n d i z i n g as-

c a l s t r u c t u r e n o t u n l i k e H e g e l ' s , i n h i s c r i t i q u e o f the ascetic

s e r t i o n o f d e s i r e , w i l l , the b o d y — i n m o r e c o n t e m p o r a r y for-

i d e a l in On the Genealogy of Morals. T h e i n e l u c t a b i l i t y of the

m u l a t i o n s i t l e a d s t o the e l a b o r a t i o n o f a n i n s t i t u t i o n o f the

b o d y i n " T h e U n h a p p y C o n s c i o u s n e s s " p a r a l l e l s the i n e l u c t -

subject w h i c h exceeds the d i a l e c t i c a l f r a m e b y w h i c h i t i s

a b i l i t y o f " i n s t i n c t " i n F r e u d a n d that o f the w i l l i n N i e t z s c h e .

spawned.

F o r N i e t z s c h e , the ascetic i d e a l , u n d e r s t o o d a s a w i l l t o n o t h ingness, is a w a y of interpreting a l l suffering as guilt. A l t h o u g h g u i l t w o r k s t o d e n y a specific k i n d o f object for h u m a n w a n t s , i t c a n n o t o b l i t e r a t e the w a n t i n g c h a r a c t e r o f h u m a n s . A c c o r d i n g t o the dictates o f g u i l t , t h e n , " m a n h a d o n l y t o want s o m e t h i n g — a n d to b e g i n w i t h , it mattered not what, whereto, or h o w he w a n t e d : the will itself was saved." T h e ascetic i d e a l , v e r y m u c h like Hegel's u n h a p p y consciousness, is to be unders t o o d , t h e n , as: that hatred against everything human, even more, against everything animal, everything material, this disgust w i t h the senses, w i t h reason itself, this fear of happiness and beauty, this desire to get away from all semblance, change, becoming, death, wish, desire itself—the

I n H e g e l , the s u p p r e s s i o n o f b o d i l y life i s s h o w n t o r e q u i r e the v e r y b o d y that i t seeks t o s u p p r e s s ; i n t h i s sense, the b o d y i s p r e s e r v e d i n a n d b y the v e r y act o f s u p p r e s s i o n . F r e u d u n d e r s t o o d this differently in his analysis of neurosis as a k i n d of l i b i d i n a l a t t a c h m e n t to a p r o h i b i t i o n w h i c h n e v e r theless t h w a r t s l i b i d i n a l g r a t i f i c a t i o n . W h e r e that t h w a r t i n g c o n s t i t u t e s a r e p r e s s i o n , the s p l i t t i n g off of i d e a t i o n f r o m affect, n e u r o s i s o r s y m p t o m f o r m a t i o n f o l l o w s . O n e m i g h t r e a d H e g e l ' s references to eigensinnigkeit or s t u b b o r n n e s s as i l l u s t r a t i n g the p r o c e s s o f s p l i t t i n g a n d defense i n the f o r m a t i o n o f n e u r o s i s . T h a t H e g e l refers t o t h i s " u n h a p p i n e s s " a s a k i n d o f s t u b b o r n a t t a c h m e n t suggests that, a s i n n e u r o s i s , the e t h i c a l r e g u l a t i o n o f b o d i l y i m p u l s e b e c o m e s the f o c u s a n d a i m

5»

Stubborn Attachment, B o d i l y Subjection

Hegel's Unhappy Consciousness

59

o f i m p u l s e itself. I n b o t h cases, w e are g i v e n t o u n d e r s t a n d a n

c a l r e v e r s a l w e f o l l o w e d i n H e g e l . I n F o u c a u l t , the s u p p r e s s i o n

a t t a c h m e n t t o s u b j e c t i o n w h i c h i s f o r m a t i v e o f the r e f l e x i v e

o f the b o d y n o t o n l y r e q u i r e s a n d p r o d u c e s the v e r y b o d y i t

s t r u c t u r e o f s u b j e c t i o n itself. T h e i m p u l s e o r b o d i l y e x p e r i e n c e

seeks t o s u p p r e s s , i t goes f u r t h e r b y e x t e n d i n g the b o d i l y d o -

w h i c h w o u l d be negated, to return to H e g e l , is inadvertently

m a i n t o b e r e g u l a t e d , p r o l i f e r a t i n g sites o f c o n t r o l , d i s c i p l i n e ,

preserved b y the v e r y a c t i v i t y o f n e g a t i o n .

a n d s u p p r e s s i o n . I n o t h e r w o r d s , the b o d y presumed b y the

W e c a n see i n b o t h H e g e l a n d F r e u d a c e r t a i n r e l i a n c e o n a

Hegelian explanation is incessantly p r o d u c e d and proliferated

dialectical reversal by w h i c h a b o d i l y experience, b r o a d l y con-

i n o r d e r t o e x t e n d the d o m a i n o f j u r i d i c a l p o w e r . I n t h i s sense,

s t r u e d , c o m e s u n d e r the c e n s o r o f the l a w o n l y t o r e e m e r g e a s

the r e s t r i c t i o n s p l a c e d on the b o d y n o t o n l y require a n d produce

the s u s t a i n i n g affect of that law. T h e F r e u d i a n n o t i o n of sub-

the b o d y t h e y seek to r e s t r i c t , b u t proliferate the d o m a i n of the

limation suggests that d e n i a l o r d i s p l a c e m e n t o f p l e a s u r e a n d

b o d i l y b e y o n d the d o m a i n t a r g e t e d b y the o r i g i n a l r e s t r i c t i o n .

d e s i r e c a n b e c o m e f o r m a t i v e of c u l t u r e ; h i s Civilization and Its

In w h a t m a n y h a v e c o m e to see as a f i n a l l y U t o p i a n g e s t u r e

Discontents t h u s l a i d the g r o u n d for M a r c u s e ' s Eros and Civili-

i n F o u c a u l t , t h i s p r o l i f e r a t i o n o f the b o d y b y j u r i d i c a l r e g i m e s

zation. T h e i n a d v e r t e n t l y p r o d u c t i v e effects o f s u b l i m a t i o n i n

b e y o n d the t e r m s o f d i a l e c t i c a l r e v e r s a l i s a l s o the site o f p o s -

the f o r m a t i o n o f c u l t u r a l p r o d u c t s a p p e a r t o e x c e e d the d i a l e c -

s i b l e resistance. T h e p s y c h o a n a l y t i c d i s c o u r s e that w o u l d d e -

t i c a l r e v e r s a l b y w h i c h t h e y are g e n e r a t e d . W h e r e a s f o r M a r -

scribe a n d pathologize repressed desire ends up p r o d u c i n g a

cuse, the d r i v e s , o r eros a n d thanatos, p r e c e d e the r e g u l a t o r y

discursive incitement to desire: i m p u l s e is continually fabri-

i m p e r a t i v e s b y w h i c h t h e y are r e n d e r e d c u l t u r a l l y l i v a b l e , f o r F o u c a u l t , the r e p r e s s i v e h y p o t h e s i s , w h i c h a p p e a r s t o i n c l u d e w i t h i n its s t r u c t u r e the m o d e l o f s u b l i m a t i o n , fails t o w o r k p r e c i s e l y b e c a u s e r e p r e s s i o n generates the v e r y p l e a s u r e s a n d d e s i r e s i t seeks t o regulate. F o r F o u c a u l t , r e p r e s s i o n d o e s n o t act o n a p r e g i v e n f i e l d o f p l e a s u r e a n d d e s i r e ; i t c o n s t i t u t e s that f i e l d a s that w h i c h i s t o b e r e g u l a t e d , that w h i c h i s a l w a y s p o t e n t i a l l y o r a c t u a l l y u n d e r the r u b r i c o f r e g u l a t i o n . T h e r e -

c a t e d as a site of c o n f e s s i o n a n d , h e n c e , p o t e n t i a l c o n t r o l , b u t t h i s f a b r i c a t i o n exceeds the r e g u l a t o r y a i m s b y w h i c h i t i s g e n erated. I n t h i s sense, c r i m i n a l c o d e s w h i c h seek t o c a t a l o g u e a n d i n s t i t u t i o n a l i z e n o r m a l c y b e c o m e the site f o r a contestat i o n o f the c o n c e p t o f the n o r m a l ; s e x o l o g i s t s w h o w o u l d classify a n d p a t h o l o g i z e h o m o s e x u a l i t y i n a d v e r t e n t l y p r o v i d e the c o n d i t i o n s for a p r o l i f e r a t i o n a n d m o b i l i z a t i o n o f h o m o s e x u a l cultures.

p r e s s i v e r e g i m e , a s F o u c a u l t calls it, r e q u i r e s its o w n self-

W i t h i n the H e g e l i a n f r a m e w o r k , the subject, w h i c h s p l i t s

a u g m e n t a t i o n a n d p r o l i f e r a t i o n . A s s u c h , this r e g i m e r e q u i r e s

itself off f r o m its b o d y , r e q u i r e s that b o d y i n o r d e r t o s u s -

the f i e l d o f b o d i l y i m p u l s e t o e x p a n d a n d p r o l i f e r a t e a s a m o r -

t a i n its s p l i t t i n g a c t i v i t y ; the b o d y t o b e s u p p r e s s e d i s t h u s

a l i z e d d o m a i n , s u c h that i t w i l l c o n t i n u a l l y h a v e f r e s h m a t e r i a l

m a r s h a l l e d i n the s e r v i c e o f that s u p p r e s s i o n . F o r F o u c a u l t ,

t h r o u g h w h i c h t o a r t i c u l a t e its o w n p o w e r . H e n c e , r e p r e s s i o n

the b o d y t o b e r e g u l a t e d i s s i m i l a r l y m a r s h a l l e d i n the ser-

produces a field of infinitely moralizable b o d i l y phenomena

v i c e o f s u p p r e s s i o n , b u t the b o d y i s n o t c o n s t i t u t e d p r i o r t o

i n o r d e r t o f a c i l i t a t e a n d r a t i o n a l i z e its o w n p r o l i f e r a t i o n .

that r e g u l a t i o n . O n the c o n t r a r y , the b o d y i s p r o d u c e d a s a n

H e r e w e see that F o u c a u l t d e p a r t s f r o m the k i n d o f d i a l e c t i -

object o f r e g u l a t i o n , a n d f o r r e g u l a t i o n t o a u g m e n t itself, the

Stubborn Attachment, B o d i l y Subjection

Hegel's Unhappy Consciousness

b o d y i s proliferated a s a n object o f r e g u l a t i o n . T h i s p r o l i f e r a t i o n

of a resistance, at the l e v e l of i m p u l s e , to a f u l l a n d f i n a l d o -

b o t h m a r k s off F o u c a u l t ' s t h e o r y f r o m H e g e l ' s a n d c o n s t i t u t e s

mestication by any regulatory regime?

6o

61

the site o f p o t e n t i a l r e s i s t a n c e t o r e g u l a t i o n . T h e p o s s i b i l i t y

What Hegel implies in "The Unhappy Consciousness" is

o f t h i s r e s i s t a n c e i s d e r i v e d f r o m w h a t i s unforeseeable i n p r o -

n o t m e r e l y that m o r a l w r e t c h e d n e s s c a n n o t b e c o h e r e n t l y s u s -

liferation. But to understand h o w a regulatory regime c o u l d

t a i n e d , that i t i n v a r i a b l y c o n c e d e s the b o d i l y b e i n g that i t

p r o d u c e effects w h i c h are n o t o n l y u n f o r e s e e a b l e b u t c o n s t i -

seeks to d e n y , b u t that the p u r s u i t of w r e t c h e d n e s s , the a t t a c h -

tute r e s i s t a n c e , i t seems that w e m u s t r e t u r n t o the q u e s t i o n o f

m e n t t o w r e t c h e d n e s s , i s b o t h the c o n d i t i o n a n d the p o t e n -

s t u b b o r n a t t a c h m e n t s a n d , m o r e p r e c i s e l y , t o the p l a c e o f that

t i a l u n d o i n g o f s u c h s u b j e c t i o n . I f w r e t c h e d n e s s , agony, a n d

a t t a c h m e n t i n the s u b v e r s i o n o f the law.

p a i n are sites o r m o d e s o f s t u b b o r n n e s s , w a y s o f a t t a c h i n g t o

A l t h o u g h Foucault criticizes Freud's hypothesis of repres-

oneself, n e g a t i v e l y a r t i c u l a t e d m o d e s o f r e f l e x i v i t y , t h e n that

sion, he is i n d e b t e d to this theorization in his o w n account of

i s b e c a u s e t h e y are g i v e n b y r e g u l a t o r y r e g i m e s a s the sites

the p r o d u c t i o n a n d p r o l i f e r a t i o n o f the r e g u l a t e d b o d y . I n p a r -

a v a i l a b l e f o r a t t a c h m e n t , a n d a subject w i l l attach t o p a i n

t i c u l a r , the l o g i c o f s u b j e c t i o n i n b o t h H e g e l a n d F r e u d i m p l i e s

rather t h a n n o t attach a t a l l . F o r F r e u d , a n i n f a n t f o r m s a

that the i n s t r u m e n t o f s u p p r e s s i o n b e c o m e s the n e w s t r u c t u r e

p l e a s u r e - g i v i n g a t t a c h m e n t t o a n y e x c i t a t i o n that c o m e s its

a n d a i m o f d e s i r e , a t least w h e n s u b j e c t i o n p r o v e s effective.

w a y , e v e n the m o s t t r a u m a t i c , w h i c h a c c o u n t s for the f o r m a -

B u t i f a r e g u l a t o r y r e g i m e r e q u i r e s the p r o d u c t i o n o f n e w

t i o n o f m a s o c h i s m a n d , for s o m e , the p r o d u c t i o n o f a b j e c t i o n ,

sites o f r e g u l a t i o n a n d , h e n c e , a m o r e t h o r o u g h g o i n g m o r a l -

r e j e c t i o n , w r e t c h e d n e s s , a n d s o o n a s the n e c e s s a r y p r e c o n d i -

i z a t i o n o f the b o d y , t h e n w h a t i s the p l a c e o f b o d i l y i m p u l s e ,

t i o n s for l o v e . T h e g e s t u r e o f r e j e c t i o n c a n b e c o m e m a s o c h -

d e s i r e , a n d a t t a c h m e n t ? D o e s the r e g u l a t o r y r e g i m e n o t o n l y

i s t i c a l l y e r o t i c i z e d o n l y b e c a u s e i t i s a gesture. A l t h o u g h the

p r o d u c e d e s i r e , b u t b e c o m e p r o d u c e d b y the c u l t i v a t i o n o f a

rejecting gesture's a l l e g e d p u r p o s e i s t o t h w a r t a n o n c o m i n g

c e r t a i n a t t a c h m e n t to the r u l e of s u b j e c t i o n ? If p a r t of w h a t

d e s i r e , it n e v e r t h e l e s s a p p e a r s as a gesture, t h u s making itself

r e g u l a t o r y r e g i m e s d o i s t o c o n s t r a i n the f o r m a t i o n a n d at-

present a n d l e n d i n g itself to b e i n g r e a d as a k i n d of o f f e r i n g or,

t a c h m e n t s of d e s i r e , t h e n it s e e m s that f r o m the start a c e r t a i n

m i n i m a l l y , presence. P r e c i s e l y b e c a u s e the g e s t u r e of r e j e c t i o n

detachability of i m p u l s e is p r e s u m e d , a certain i n c o m m e n s u -

is, it r h e t o r i c a l l y d e n i e s the threat of w i t h d r a w a l that it n e v e r -

r a b i l i t y b e t w e e n the c a p a c i t y for a b o d i l y a t t a c h m e n t , o n the

theless p u r p o r t s t o signify. F o r the i n f a n t , the p r e s e n c e o r d e -

o n e h a n d , a n d the site w h e r e i t i s c o n f i n e d , o n the other. F o u -

t e r m i n a c y o f that object, n o m a t t e r h o w p e r s i s t e n t l y r e j e c t i n g ,

cault appears to p r e s u m e precisely this detachability of desire

is n e v e r t h e l e s s a site of p r e s e n c e a n d e x c i t a t i o n a n d , h e n c e , is

i n c l a i m i n g that i n c i t e m e n t s a n d r e v e r s a l s are t o s o m e d e g r e e

better t h a n n o object a t a l l . T h i s t r u i s m i s n o t far f r o m N i e t z -

unforeseeable, that t h e y h a v e the c a p a c i t y , c e n t r a l to the n o t i o n

sche's l i n e that the w i l l w o u l d r a t h e r w i l l n o t h i n g n e s s t h a n n o t

o f resistance, t o exceed the r e g u l a t o r y a i m s for w h i c h t h e y w e r e

w i l l at a l l . In b o t h cases, the d e s i r e to d e s i r e is a w i l l i n g n e s s to

p r o d u c e d . I f a g i v e n r e g i m e c a n n o t f u l l y c o n t r o l the i n c i t e -

d e s i r e p r e c i s e l y that w h i c h w o u l d f o r e c l o s e d e s i r e , i f o n l y f o r

m e n t s that i t n e v e r t h e l e s s p r o d u c e s , i s that i n p a r t the r e s u l t

the p o s s i b i l i t y o f c o n t i n u i n g t o desire.

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Stubborn Attachment, B o d i l y Subjection T h e q u e s t i o n , t h e n , that H e g e l a n d F r e u d w o u l d a p p e a r

t o p o s e for F o u c a u l t i s w h e t h e r t h i s t e r r a i n o f " s t u b b o r n att a c h m e n t " d o e s n o t i n s o m e w a y f i g u r e i n the s c e n a r i o s o f s u b j e c t i o n that he d e s c r i b e s . To w h a t extent d o e s a r e g u l a t o r y r e g i m e e x p l o i t t h i s w i l l i n g n e s s t o a t t a c h b l i n d l y t o w h a t seeks

Circuits of Bad Conscience

t o s u p p r e s s o r negate that v e r y a t t a c h m e n t ? A n d t o w h a t extent does the a t t a c h m e n t that a r e g u l a t o r y r e g i m e r e q u i r e s p r o v e t o b e b o t h its c o n s t i t u t i v e f a i l u r e a n d the p o t e n t i a l site

Nietzsche

of r e s i s t a n c e ? If d e s i r e has as its f i n a l a i m the c o n t i n u a t i o n of

and

Freud

i t s e l f — a n d here one m i g h t l i n k H e g e l , F r e u d , a n d F o u c a u l t a l l b a c k to S p i n o z a ' s conatus — t h e n the c a p a c i t y of d e s i r e to be w i t h d r a w n a n d t o r e a t t a c h w i l l c o n s t i t u t e s o m e t h i n g l i k e the v u l n e r a b i l i t y of every strategy of subjection.

N

i e t z s c h e offers a v i e w of c o n s c i e n c e as a m e n t a l a c t i v i t y that n o t o n l y f o r m s v a r i o u s p s y c h i c p h e n o m e n a , b u t i s

itself formed, the c o n s e q u e n c e of a d i s t i n c t i v e k i n d of i n t e r n a l ization. In Nietzsche, w h o distinguishes conscience f r o m bad c o n s c i e n c e , the w i l l i s s a i d t o t u r n b a c k u p o n itself. B u t w h a t are w e t o m a k e o f t h i s strange l o c u t i o n ; h o w are w e b e i n g a s k e d t o i m a g i n e a w i l l s u c h that i t r e c o i l s a n d r e d o u b l e s u p o n itself; a n d h o w , m o s t p e r t i n e n t l y , i s t h i s f i g u r e b e i n g o f f e r e d a s a w a y t o a r t i c u l a t e the k i n d o f r e f l e x i v i t y c e n t r a l t o the o p e r a t i o n of b a d conscience? F r e u d w i l l use a s i m i l a r language in w r i t i n g o f the f o r m a t i o n o f c o n s c i e n c e , e s p e c i a l l y i n r e l a t i o n t o p a r a n o i a a n d n a r c i s s i s m . H e d e s c r i b e s c o n s c i e n c e a s the force of a d e s i r e — a l t h o u g h s o m e t i m e s a force of a g g r e s s i o n — a s it t u r n s b a c k o n itself, a n d h e u n d e r s t a n d s p r o h i b i t i o n , n o t a s a l a w e x t e r n a l t o d e s i r e , b u t a s the v e r y o p e r a t i o n o f d e s i r e a s i t t u r n s o n its o w n p o s s i b i l i t y . W h a t sense d o w e m a k e o f the f i g u r e that e m e r g e s i n the c o n t e x t o f b o t h e x p l a n a t i o n s , that o f a w i l l that t u r n s b a c k on itself, that of a d e s i r e that t u r n s b a c k o n itself? W e m u s t ask n o t o n l y h o w t h i s f i g u r e o f r e c o i l i n g a n d

Circuits of Bad Conscience

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r e d o u b l i n g becomes central to u n d e r s t a n d i n g b a d conscience,

that n o subject c a n d o w i t h o u t , b u t w h i c h n o subject i s c o n -

b u t w h a t t h i s f i g u r e suggests a b o u t the b o d i l y p o s i t i o n o r d i s -

d e m n e d t o r e p e a t i n e x a c t l y the s a m e w a y .

64

65

p o s i t i o n e n c o d e d i n the s t r u c t u r e o f r e f l e x i v i t y . W h y d o e s a

M y i n q u i r y c o n c e r n s a p e r s i s t e n t p r o b l e m that e m e r g e s

b o d y d o u b l e d o v e r o n itself f i g u r e w h a t i t m e a n s t o b e a self-

w h e n w e t r y t o t h i n k the p o s s i b i l i t y o f a w i l l that takes i t s e l f

c o n s c i o u s sort o f b e i n g ?

a s its o w n object a n d , t h r o u g h the f o r m a t i o n o f that k i n d o f r e -

T h e n o t i o n that m o r a l i t y i s p r e d i c a t e d o n a c e r t a i n k i n d o f

f l e x i v i t y , b i n d s itself t o itself, a c q u i r e s its o w n i d e n t i t y t h r o u g h

v i o l e n c e i s a l r e a d y f a m i l i a r , b u t m o r e s u r p r i s i n g i s that s u c h

r e f l e x i v i t y . T o w h a t extent i s t h i s a p p a r e n t s e l f - b o n d a g e f u l l y

v i o l e n c e f o u n d s the subject. M o r a l i t y p e r f o r m s that v i o l e n c e

o r e x c l u s i v e l y s e l f - i m p o s e d ? I s t h i s s t r a n g e p o s t u r e o f the w i l l

a g a i n a n d a g a i n i n c u l t i v a t i n g the subject a s a r e f l e x i v e b e i n g .

i n the s e r v i c e o f a s o c i a l r e g u l a t i o n that r e q u i r e s the p r o d u c -

T h i s is, i n p a r t , w h a t l e d N i e t z s c h e t o reflect that m o r a l i t y

t i o n o f the subject a c o n s e q u e n c e o r a n e x p r e s s i o n o f b a d

is a k i n d of i l l n e s s . If this t u r n i n g on o n e s e l f c a n be c a l l e d a

c o n s c i e n c e ? I s u p p o s e that those w h o seek t o r e d e e m N i e t z -

k i n d o f v i o l e n c e , i t c a n n o t s i m p l y b e o p p o s e d i n the n a m e o f

sche b y c l a i m i n g that h e c a n b e i n v o k e d i n the s e r v i c e o f the

nonviolence, for w h e n a n d where it is opposed, it is o p p o s e d

e t h i c a l m i g h t t h i n k that the o n l y a l t e r n a t i v e w o r s e t h a n b a d

f r o m a p o s i t i o n that p r e s u p p o s e s t h i s v e r y v i o l e n c e . I do n o t

c o n s c i e n c e i s its o b l i t e r a t i o n . B u t r e m e m b e r that N i e t z s c h e n o t

w i s h s i m p l y t o u n d e r s c o r e the a p o r e t i c s t r u c t u r e i n v o l v e d i n

o n l y d i s t i n g u i s h e s b e t w e e n the e t h i c a l a n d m o r a l i t y , b u t asks

the a s s u m p t i o n o f m o r a l i t y , n o r s i m p l y t o a f f i r m the g e n e r a l -

a b o u t the value o f m o r a l i t y , t h u s i n s t a t i n g a v a l u e b y w h i c h

ized violence in any and all m o r a l positioning, although both

m o r a l i t y m i g h t b e assessed, b u t s u g g e s t i n g a s w e l l that t h i s

insights, furnished by deconstruction, f o r m a point of depar-

assessment, this v a l u a t i o n , m a y n o t b e r e d u c i b l e t o m o r a l i t y .

t u r e for w h a t I seek to d o . R a t h e r , I w o u l d suggest that the

I t a k e it that the j u x t a p o s i t i o n of N i e t z s c h e w i t h the q u e s -

subject w h o w o u l d o p p o s e v i o l e n c e , e v e n v i o l e n c e t o itself, i s

t i o n o f ethics is, i n d e e d , a q u e s t i o n b e c a u s e N i e t z s c h e a n d v a r i -

itself the effect o f a p r i o r v i o l e n c e w i t h o u t w h i c h the subject

o u s figures w i t h i n the C o n t i n e n t a l t r a d i t i o n h a v e b e e n f o u n d

c o u l d n o t h a v e e m e r g e d . C a n that p a r t i c u l a r c i r c l e b e b r o k e n ?

g u i l t y b y a s s o c i a t i o n w i t h i r r e s p o n s i b l e acts a n d events. W h a t

H o w a n d w h e n does that b r e a k a g e o c c u r ? A n d w h a t e m e r g e s

w i l l b e the r e s p o n s e t o these c h a r g e s ? T o t a k e the s i d e o f the

a s a s i g n i f i c a n t p o s s i b i l i t y i n w h i c h the subject loses its c l o s e d

e t h i c a l , t o relate e a c h a n d e v e r y t h i n k e r t o the e t h i c a l ? O r w i l l

c o n t o u r , the c i r c u l a r i t y o f its o w n r e f l e x i v e c l o s u r e ? A p u r e

this b e a n o c c a s i o n t o t h i n k the p r o b l e m a b i t m o r e c a r e f u l l y ,

w i l l , ontologically intact p r i o r to any articulation, does not

to c o n t i n u e to p o s e the e t h i c a l as a q u e s t i o n , o n e w h i c h c a n n o t

s u d d e n l y e m e r g e as a p r i n c i p l e of s e l f - a u g m e n t a t i o n a n d self-

b e f r e e d o f its c o m p l i c i t y w i t h w h a t i t m o s t s t r o n g l y o p p o s e s ?

a f f i r m a t i o n that exceeds the b o u n d s o f a n y a n d a l l r e g u l a t o r y

W i l l t h i s , p a r a d o x i c a l l y , b e c o m e a t i m e i n w h i c h w e reflect

s c h é m a s . R a t h e r , the f o r m a t i v e a n d f a b r i c a t i n g d i m e n s i o n o f

u p o n the m o r e p e r v a s i v e d i m e n s i o n s o f c o m p l i c i t y a n d w h a t

p s y c h i c life, w h i c h t r a v e l s u n d e r the n a m e o f the " w i l l , " a n d

might be derived f r o m such a vexed relation to power?

w h i c h i s u s u a l l y a s s o c i a t e d w i t h a r e s t r i c t i v e l y aesthetic d o -

I u n d e r s t a n d the d e s i r e t o r e s i t u a t e N i e t z s c h e w i t h i n the

m a i n , p r o v e s c e n t r a l t o r e f a s h i o n i n g the n o r m a t i v e s h a c k l e s

e t h i c a l d o m a i n a s a n effort t o c o u n t e r the c a r i c a t u r e , w i t h i n

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c o n t e m p o r a r y c r i t i c i s m , of N i e t z s c h e as one w h o o n l y de-

d i v i d e s the o u t s i d e f r o m the i n s i d e i s i n the p r o c e s s o f b e i n g

s t r o y s the d o m a i n o f v a l u e s ( w h e r e that d e s t r u c t i o n i s n o t itself

i n s t a l l e d , p r e c i s e l y t h r o u g h the r e g u l a t i o n o f the subject. T h e

a s o u r c e of v a l u e , or a v a l u e in itself). I w a n t i n s t e a d to s u g -

r e p r e s s i o n i s the v e r y t u r n i n g b a c k o n itself w h i c h the p a s -

gest that N i e t z s c h e offers us a p o l i t i c a l i n s i g h t i n t o the f o r m a -

sionate a t t a c h m e n t t o s u b j e c t i o n p e r f o r m s . H o w c a n a w i l l b e

t i o n o f the p s y c h e a n d the p r o b l e m o f s u b j e c t i o n , u n d e r s t o o d

e n t i c e d t o m a k e s u c h a t u r n ? A r e w e t o t h i n k that t u r n a s a n

p a r a d o x i c a l l y n o t m e r e l y as the s u b o r d i n a t i o n of a subject to

i n t e r n a l b e n d i n g o f the p s y c h e against itself? I f so, w h y i s i t

a n o r m , b u t as the c o n s t i t u t i o n of a subject t h r o u g h p r e c i s e l y

f i g u r e d a s a b o d y that t u r n s o n a n d a g a i n s t itself? A r e the p s y -

66

s u c h a s u b o r d i n a t i o n . I n d e e d , to the extent that b a d c o n s c i e n c e

c h i c a n d the s o m a t i c a r t i c u l a t e d t h r o u g h o n e a n o t h e r i n s u c h

i n v o l v e s a t u r n i n g a g a i n s t oneself, a b o d y i n r e c o i l u p o n itself,

a w a y that the f i g u r a t i o n of the first is i m p l i c a t e d i n v a r i a b l y

h o w d o e s t h i s f i g u r e serve the s o c i a l r e g u l a t i o n o f the subject,

in a c h i a s t i c r e l a t i o n to the s e c o n d ? C l e a r l y , w h a t is at stake

a n d h o w m i g h t w e u n d e r s t a n d this m o r e f u n d a m e n t a l s u b -

i s s o m e t h i n g m o r e t h a n a n d different f r o m a r e l a t i o n b e t w e e n

j e c t i o n , w i t h o u t w h i c h n o p r o p e r subject e m e r g e s ? I w a n t t o

a n external d e m a n d offered b y regulatory p o w e r a n d a n i n -

suggest that, a l t h o u g h there i s n o f i n a l u n d o i n g o f the r e f l e x i v e

t e r n a l r e c o i l r e g i s t e r e d as its s e c o n d a r y effect. If p r e s u p p o s e d

b i n d , that p o s t u r e of the self b e n t a g a i n s t itself, a p a s s i o n a t e

in the v e r y n o t i o n of the subject is a p a s s i o n a t e a t t a c h m e n t to

d e r e g u l a t i o n o f the subject m a y p e r h a p s p r e c i p i t a t e a t e n u o u s

s u b j e c t i o n , t h e n the subject w i l l n o t e m e r g e save a s a n e x e m -

u n r a v e l i n g o f that c o n s t i t u t i v e k n o t . W h a t e m e r g e s i s n o t the

p l i f i c a t i o n a n d effect of t h i s a t t a c h m e n t . I h o p e to s h o w , first

unshackled w i l l or a " b e y o n d " to power, but another direc-

through a consideration of Nietzsche, then in relation to F r e u d ,

t i o n for w h a t i s m o s t f o r m a t i v e i n p a s s i o n , a f o r m a t i v e p o w e r

h o w the v e r y n o t i o n o f r e f l e x i v i t y , a s a n e m e r g e n t s t r u c t u r e o f

w h i c h is at o n c e the c o n d i t i o n of its v i o l e n c e a g a i n s t itself, its

the subject, is the c o n s e q u e n c e of a " t u r n i n g b a c k on itself," a

status as a n e c e s s a r y f i c t i o n , a n d the site of its e n a b l i n g p o s s i -

r e p e a t e d s e l f - b e r a t e m e n t w h i c h c o m e s t o f o r m the m i s n o m e r

b i l i t i e s . T h i s r e c a s t i n g o f the " w i l l " i s n o t , p r o p e r l y s p e a k i n g ,

o f "conscience," a n d that there i s n o f o r m a t i o n o f the subject

the w i l l o f a subject, n o r i s i t a n effect f u l l y c u l t i v a t e d b y a n d

w i t h o u t a p a s s i o n a t e a t t a c h m e n t to s u b j e c t i o n .

t h r o u g h s o c i a l n o r m s ; i t is, I w o u l d suggest, the site a t w h i c h

Significantly, N i e t z s c h e attributes a creative or formative

the s o c i a l i m p l i c a t e s the p s y c h i c i n its v e r y f o r m a t i o n — o r , t o

p o w e r t o c o n s c i e n c e , a n d the act o f t u r n i n g b a c k u p o n o n e -

b e m o r e p r e c i s e , a s its v e r y f o r m a t i o n a n d f o r m a t i v i t y .

self i s n o t o n l y the c o n d i t i o n o f the p o s s i b i l i t y o f the s u b -

C o n s i d e r the g e n e r a l c l a i m that the s o c i a l r e g u l a t i o n o f the

ject, b u t the c o n d i t i o n o f the p o s s i b i l i t y o f f i c t i o n , f a b r i c a t i o n ,

subject c o m p e l s a p a s s i o n a t e a t t a c h m e n t to r e g u l a t i o n , a n d

a n d t r a n s f i g u r a t i o n . I n d e e d , N i e t z s c h e r e m a r k s that b a d c o n -

that this f o r m a t i o n o f the w i l l takes p l a c e i n p a r t t h r o u g h the

s c i e n c e fabricates the s o u l , that e x p a n s e of i n t e r i o r p s y c h i c

a c t i o n o f a r e p r e s s i o n . A l t h o u g h o n e i s t e m p t e d t o c l a i m that

space. If the subject is u n d e r s t o o d as a k i n d of n e c e s s a r y fic-

s o c i a l r e g u l a t i o n i s s i m p l y i n t e r n a l i z e d , t a k e n f r o m the out-

t i o n , t h e n i t i s a l s o o n e o f the first a r t i s t i c a c c o m p l i s h m e n t s

s i d e a n d b r o u g h t i n t o the p s y c h e , the p r o b l e m i s m o r e c o m -

p r e s u p p o s e d by morality. The artistic accomplishments of b a d

p l i c a t e d a n d , i n d e e d , m o r e i n s i d i o u s . F o r the b o u n d a r y that

c o n s c i e n c e e x c e e d the p u r v i e w o f the subject; i n d e e d , t h e y

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69

w i l l come to include "all imaginative and ideal phenomena,"

m e n t e d result of this p e c u l i a r f o r m of reflexivity? T h e n o u n

i n c l u d i n g c o n c e p t u a l t h i n k i n g , f i g u r a t i v e w r i t i n g , a n d the c o n -

f o r m "ego" w i l l t h e n r e i f y a n d m a s k the i t e r a t e d a c c u m u l a t i o n

j e c t u r e d fables a n d m y t h s w h i c h c o m p o s e the v a r i o u s r e t r o -

of this reflexive m o v e m e n t . Of what is this reflexivity c o m -

s p e c t i v e i m a g i n i n g s o f genealogy. I n this sense, the c o n d i t i o n

p o s e d ? W h a t i s i t that i s s a i d t o t u r n b a c k u p o n w h a t ? A n d

o f p o s s i b i l i t y o f N i e t z s c h e ' s o w n w r i t i n g a p p e a r s t o b e the b a d

w h a t c o m p o s e s the a c t i o n o f " t u r n i n g b a c k u p o n " ? I w a n t t o

c o n s c i e n c e for w h i c h i t seeks t o g i v e a n a c c o u n t .

suggest that t h i s l o g i c a l c i r c u l a r i t y i n w h i c h the subject a p -

N i e t z s c h e offers a n a r r a t i v e that seeks to a c c o u n t f o r t h i s

p e a r s a t o n c e t o b e p r e s u p p o s e d a n d n o t yet f o r m e d , o n the

f o r m a t i o n , b u t h i s n a r r a t i v e w i l l b e afflicted f r o m the start b y

o n e h a n d , o r f o r m e d a n d h e n c e n o t p r e s u p p o s e d , o n the other,

the v e r y c o n s c i e n c e that i t seeks t o u n c o v e r f o r us. T h e c l a i m

i s a m e l i o r a t e d w h e n o n e u n d e r s t a n d s that i n b o t h F r e u d a n d

that c o n s c i e n c e i s a f i c t i o n i s n o t t o b e c o n f u s e d w i t h the c l a i m

N i e t z s c h e t h i s r e l a t i o n s h i p o f r e f l e x i v i t y i s a l w a y s a n d o n l y fig-

that c o n s c i e n c e i s a r b i t r a r y o r d i s p e n s a b l e ; o n the c o n t r a r y , i t

u r e d , a n d that t h i s f i g u r e m a k e s n o o n t o l o g i c a l c l a i m . T o refer

i s a n e c e s s a r y f i c t i o n , o n e w i t h o u t w h i c h the g r a m m a t i c a l a n d

t o a " w i l l , " m u c h less t o its " t u r n i n g b a c k o n itself," i s a s t r a n g e

p h e n o m e n o l o g i c a l subject c a n n o t exist. B u t i f its f i c t i v e status

w a y t o s p e a k , s t r a n g e b e c a u s e i t figures a p r o c e s s w h i c h c a n -

d o e s n o t d i s p e l its necessity, h o w are w e t o c o n s t r u e the sense

n o t b e d e t a c h e d f r o m o r u n d e r s t o o d a p a r t f r o m that v e r y f i g u -

o f that n e c e s s i t y ? M o r e p r e c i s e l y , w h a t does i t m e a n t o say

r a t i o n . I n d e e d , for N i e t z s c h e , the w r i t i n g o f s u c h f i g u r a t i o n s ,

that a subject e m e r g e s o n l y t h r o u g h the a c t i o n o f t u r n i n g b a c k

a n d f i g u r a t i o n i n g e n e r a l , are p a r t a n d p a r c e l o f the " i d e a l a n d

on i t s e l f ? If t h i s t u r n i n g b a c k on oneself is a t r o p e , a m o v e -

i m a g i n a t i v e p h e n o m e n a " w h i c h are the c o n s e q u e n c e s o f b a d

m e n t w h i c h i s a l w a y s a n d o n l y figured a s a b o d i l y m o v e m e n t ,

conscience. H e n c e , we do not come to k n o w s o m e t h i n g about

b u t w h i c h n o b o d y l i t e r a l l y p e r f o r m s , i n w h a t w i l l the neces-

b a d c o n s c i e n c e w h e n w e c o n s i d e r the s t r a n g e f i g u r e o f reflex-

s i t y o f s u c h a f i g u r a t i o n c o n s i s t ? T h e t r o p e a p p e a r s t o b e the

i v i t y that N i e t z s c h e offers us. W e are, a s i t w e r e , c a u g h t u p i n

s h a d o w of a b o d y , a s h a d o w i n g of that b o d y ' s v i o l e n c e a g a i n s t

the l u r i n g effects o f b a d c o n s c i e n c e a t the v e r y t e x t u a l m o m e n t

itself, a b o d y i n s p e c t r a l a n d l i n g u i s t i c f o r m that i s the s i g n i -

w h e n w e seek t o k n o w w h a t , p r e c i s e l y , t h i s b a d c o n s c i e n c e is.

f y i n g m a r k o f the p s y c h e ' s e m e r g e n c e .

I f i t i s c r e d i t e d w i t h b e i n g the g r o u n d o f f i g u r a t i o n , yet c a n

C o n s i d e r e d g r a m m a t i c a l l y , i t w i l l s e e m that there m u s t first

itself o n l y b e f i g u r e d — i n d e e d , f i g u r e d a s that g r o u n d — t h e c i r -

b e a subject w h o t u r n s b a c k o n itself, yet I w i l l a r g u e that there

cularity w h i c h might be lamented from a logical perspective

is no subject e x c e p t as a c o n s e q u e n c e of t h i s v e r y r e f l e x i v i t y .

c o n c e r n e d w i t h e s t a b l i s h i n g c l e a r s e q u e n c e b e c o m e s the c o n -

H o w c a n the subject b e p r e s u m e d a t b o t h e n d s o f t h i s p r o -

s t i t u t i v e feature of b a d c o n s c i e n c e , c o n s i d e r e d b o t h as a f i g u r e

cess, e s p e c i a l l y w h e n i t i s the v e r y f o r m a t i o n o f the subject for

a n d a s the c o n d i t i o n o f p o s s i b i l i t y for f i g u r a t i o n itself.

w h i c h t h i s p r o c e s s seeks t o g i v e a n a c c o u n t ? If, in F r e u d , c o n s c i e n c e is a p a s s i o n a t e a t t a c h m e n t to prohi-

The apparent c i r c u l a r i t y of this account reappears in a rel a t e d set o f q u a n d a r i e s . W h a t m o t i v a t e s the w i l l t o t u r n b a c k

bition, a n a t t a c h m e n t w h i c h takes the f o r m o f a t u r n i n g b a c k

o n i t s e l f ? D o e s i t t u r n b a c k o n itself u n d e r the p r e s s u r e o f

on oneself, d o e s the f o r m a t i o n of the ego t a k e p l a c e as the s e d i -

a n e x t e r n a l f o r c e o r l a w , u n d e r the a n t i c i p a t e d o r r e c o l l e c t e d

Circuits of Bad Conscience

Nietzsche and Freud

force o f p u n i s h m e n t ? O r d o e s t h i s p e c u l i a r f o r m o f r e f l e x i v i t y

s t a n d the force o f p u n i s h m e n t o u t s i d e o f the w a y s i n w h i c h i t

t a k e p l a c e p r i o r to, o r i n s o m e other f o r m o f c o m p l i c i t y w i t h ,

e x p l o i t s a n a r c i s s i s t i c d e m a n d , or, t o p u t i t i n a N i e t z s c h e a n

a set of e x t e r n a l l y i m p o s e d d e m a n d s ?

v e i n , i s i t p o s s i b l e t o u n d e r s t a n d the force o f p u n i s h m e n t o u t -

70

T o c l a r i f y t h i s last p o i n t i t i s i m p o r t a n t t o r e c o n s i d e r the thesis that p u n i s h m e n t p r e c e d e s c o n s c i e n c e , a n d that c o n -

71

s i d e o f the w a y s i n w h i c h i t e x p l o i t s the w i l l ' s a t t a c h m e n t t o itself?

s c i e n c e c a n b e u n d e r s t o o d a s the u n p r o b l e m a t i c i n t e r n a l i z a -

To c l a i m that there is a p a s s i o n a t e a t t a c h m e n t to s u b j e c t i o n

t i o n o f p u n i s h m e n t , its m n e m o n i c trace. A l t h o u g h there are

a p p e a r s to p r e s u p p o s e that there is first a p a s s i o n , a n d that its

clearly textual moments in w h i c h Nietzsche appears to be

a i m i s t o attach t o s o m e k i n d o f object. I n N i e t z s c h e , there w i l l

a r g u i n g for s u c h a t e m p o r a l p r i o r i t y o f p u n i s h m e n t t o c o n -

emerge a question of w h e t h e r this p r i m a r y passion, this w i l l ,

science, there are a l s o c o m p e t i n g v i e w s i n N i e t z s c h e w h i c h

p r e c e d e s the a t t a c h m e n t s b y w h i c h i t i s k n o w n , o r w h e t h e r its

c a l l this sequential account into question.

a t t a c h m e n t s p r e c e d e its p a s s i o n s o r a c q u i r e t h e i r p a s s i o n a t e

I f the w i l l i n N i e t z s c h e i s a t its m o s t p r o d u c t i v e — t h a t is, its

c h a r a c t e r o n l y after a n a t t a c h m e n t i s a s s u m e d . (It m a y i n v a r i -

m o s t c o n s c i e n t i o u s — w h e n i t i s t u r n e d b a c k u p o n itself, t h e n i t

a b l y b e b o t h , p a r t i c i p a t i n g i n a n i n c o m m e n s u r a b l e set o f t e m -

a p p e a r s that the s e v e r i t y o f c o n s c i e n c e i s l i n k e d t o the s t r e n g t h

p o r a l trajectories. I n s o m e w a y s , w e m i g h t see t h i s q u e s t i o n a s

o f the w i l l o f w h i c h i t i s c o m p o s e d . S i m i l a r l y , f o r F r e u d , the

p e r v a d i n g the debates b e t w e e n L a c a n i a n a n d object-relations

s t r e n g t h o f c o n s c i e n c e i s n o u r i s h e d p r e c i s e l y b y the a g g r e s s i o n

construals of Freud.)

that it f o r b i d s . In t h i s sense, t h e n , the s t r e n g t h of c o n s c i e n c e c o r r e l a t e s n e i t h e r w i t h the s t r e n g t h o f a p u n i s h m e n t r e c e i v e d

Nietzsche's Account of Bad Conscience

n o r w i t h the s t r e n g t h o f a m e m o r y o f a p u n i s h m e n t r e c e i v e d , but with the strength of one's own aggression, o n e w h i c h is s a i d to

Nietzsche's

consideration

of b a d

conscience

in

On

the

h a v e v e n t e d itself e x t e r n a l l y , b u t w h i c h n o w , u n d e r the r u b r i c

Genealogy of Morals is i n t r o d u c e d in s e c t i o n 16 of the sec-

o f b a d c o n s c i e n c e , i s s a i d t o v e n t itself i n t e r n a l l y . T h i s latter

o n d essay. A t first, the r e l a t i o n o f t h i s n o t i o n t o the n o t i o n

v e n t i n g is a l s o at the s a m e t i m e a f a b r i c a t i n g : an i n t e r n a l i z a t i o n

o f c o n s c i e n c e i n t r o d u c e d e a r l i e r i n the s a m e essay i s u n c l e a r .

w h i c h is p r o d u c e d or f a b r i c a t e d as the effect of a s u b l i m a t i o n .

C o n s c i e n c e i s i n t r o d u c e d v i a the a n i m a l w h o i s b r e d t o k e e p

T h i s c i r c u l a r i t y a p p e a r s t o b r e a k the l i n e o f c a u s a l i t y o r i n -

p r o m i s e s , a n d i n r e l a t i o n t o the " s o v e r e i g n " m a n . T h e o n e w h o

ternalization usually conjectured between an external or his-

m a k e s a n d k e e p s h i s p r o m i s e i s o n e w h o "has b r e d i n h i m s e l f

t o r i c a l e x p e r i e n c e o f p u n i s h m e n t a n d a n i n t e r n a l i z a t i o n o f the

a . . . f a c u l t y " o p p o s e d to f o r g e t f u l n e s s , n a m e l y , a m e m o r y ,

m n e m o n i c t r a c e o f that p u n i s h m e n t i n the f o r m o f c o n s c i e n c e .

w h i c h b e c o m e s "a memory of the will." H e r e N i e t z s c h e refers 1

But if conscience is self-derived in this way, a n d not d e r i v e d

t o a n " i m p r e s s i o n " that i s a c t i v e l y s u s t a i n e d b y a d e s i r e , o n e

unilaterally f r o m an internalization of an external or historical

w h i c h is not forgotten, but w h i c h , in being actively r e m e m -

p u n i s h m e n t , i s there s o m e o t h e r w a y t o u n d e r s t a n d its f u n c -

b e r e d , p r o d u c e s the p r o t r a c t e d c o n t i n u i t y o f the w i l l . B u t t h i s

t i o n i n the p r o c e s s o f s o c i a l r e g u l a t i o n ? I s i t p o s s i b l e t o u n d e r -

i m p r e s s i o n i s n o t s p e c i f i e d . A n i m p r e s s i o n f r o m w h e r e ? I n the

Circuits of Bad Conscience

Nietzsche and Freud

s e r v i c e o f w h a t ? N i e t z s c h e t h e n i n s i s t s that the o n e w h o m a k e s

a m e m o r y c a n be c r e a t e d for a w i l l . T h i s r e t u r n s us to the q u e s -

p r o m i s e s w i l l n o t a l l o w a n y t h i n g t o i n t e r r u p t the p r o c e s s b y

t i o n c o n c e r n i n g the status o f the " i m p r e s s i o n " that i s a c t i v e l y

72

73

w h i c h a n o r i g i n a l statement, " I w i l l " o r " I s h a l l d o this," c u l m i -

r e a n i m a t e d a n d r e l i v e d , a n d w h i c h , i n a n d t h r o u g h its r e a n i -

nates i n the d i s c h a r g e o f the d e s i g n a t e d act. T h e o n e w h o t r u l y

m a t i o n , establishes the p r o t r a c t e d c o n t i n u i t y o f the w i l l . "If

p r o m i s e s w i e l d s the p o w e r o f the s o v e r e i g n t o enact w h a t h e

s o m e t h i n g i s t o stay i n the m e m o r y , i t m u s t b e b u r n e d i n ; o n l y

says, t o b r i n g i n t o b e i n g w h a t h e w i l l s . I n o t h e r w o r d s , the

that w h i c h n e v e r ceases t o hurt stays i n the m e m o r y " (61/295).

p r o m i s i n g b e i n g establishes a c o n t i n u i t y b e t w e e n a statement

A n d w e t h e n l e a r n o f the " t e r r o r " that f o r m e r l y a t t e n d e d a l l

a n d a n act, a l t h o u g h the t e m p o r a l d i s j u n c t i o n b e t w e e n the

p r o m i s e s . I s t h i s " t e r r o r , " t h e n , t o b e c o n s t r u e d a s the " i m p r e s -

t w o i s a c k n o w l e d g e d a s a n o p p o r t u n i t y f o r the i n t e r v e n t i o n o f

s i o n " that w o r k s a s the m n e m o n i c d e v i c e w h e r e b y the w i l l

v a r i o u s c o m p e t i n g c i r c u m s t a n c e s a n d a c c i d e n t s . I n the face o f

m a k e s itself r e g u l a r a n d c a l c u l a b l e ? B y s e c t i o n 4 , N i e t z s c h e

these c i r c u m s t a n c e s a n d a c c i d e n t s , the w i l l c o n t i n u e s t o p r o -

p o s e s the q u e s t i o n o f b a d c o n s c i e n c e e x p l i c i t l y , b u t c o n t i n u e s

d u c e itself, t o l a b o r o n itself i n the s e r v i c e o f m a k i n g o f itself

t o treat i t a s i f i t w e r e q u i t e separate f r o m c o n s c i e n c e itself. H e

a c o n t i n u i t y , w h e r e that c o n t i n u i t y , that " l o n g c h a i n o f w i l l , "

a s k s : H o w d i d "that o t h e r ' s o m b e r t h i n g , ' the c o n s c i o u s n e s s o f

a s N i e t z s c h e p u t s it, establishes its o w n t e m p o r a l i t y o v e r a n d

g u i l t , the ' b a d c o n s c i e n c e , ' c o m e i n t o the w o r l d ? " (62/297). B u t

a g a i n s t a n y o t h e r w h i c h m i g h t seek t o c o m p l i c a t e o r q u a l i f y its

is it other? Is there a w a y for the w i l l to b e c o m e r e g u l a r , to b e -

e x e c u t i o n . T h i s p r o m i s i n g b e i n g i s o n e w h o s t a n d s for h i m s e l f

c o m e the p r o t r a c t e d c o n t i n u i t y w h i c h u n d e r w r i t e s the p r o m -

t h r o u g h t i m e a n d w h o s e w o r d continues t h r o u g h time, one

ise, w i t h o u t b e c o m i n g subject t o the l o g i c o f b a d c o n s c i e n c e ?

" w h o g i v e s [his] w o r d a s s o m e t h i n g that c a n b e r e l i e d o n b e cause [h]e k n o w [ s ] h i m s e l f t o b e s t r o n g e n o u g h t o m a i n t a i n i t i n the face o f a c c i d e n t s " (60/294). T h i s p r o t r a c t e d w i l l , w h i c h i s s e l f - i d e n t i c a l t h r o u g h t i m e a n d w h i c h establishes its o w n t i m e , c o n s t i t u t e s the m a n o f c o n s c i e n c e . ( O d d l y e n o u g h , t h i s i d e a l o f the efficacious s p e e c h act p r e s u p p o s e d b y p r o m i s i n g i s u n d e r c u t b y N i e t z s c h e ' s o w n n o t i o n o f the s i g n c h a i n , a c c o r d i n g t o w h i c h a s i g h i s b o u n d t o s i g n i f y i n w a y s that estrange the s i g n f r o m the o r i g i n a t i n g i n t e n t i o n s b y w h i c h i t i s m o b i l i z e d . A c c o r d i n g t o the h i s t o r i c i t y o f the s i g n c h a i n , i t w o u l d b e i m p o s s i b l e t o k e e p a p r o m i s e , b e c a u s e i t w o u l d b e i m p o s s i b l e t o safeg u a r d a s i g n f r o m the v a r i o u s h i s t o r i c a l a c c i d e n t s b y w h i c h its m e a n i n g i s a u g m e n t e d i n excess o f its o r i g i n a t i n g i n t e n t i o n s . )

W e l l - k n o w n d i s c u s s i o n s o f the r e l a t i o n b e t w e e n d e b t a n d g u i l t f o l l o w ( 6 2 - 6 3 / 2 9 7 - 9 8 ) , i n w h i c h the f a i l u r e t o r e p a y a l o a n a w a k e n s the d e s i r e f o r c o m p e n s a t i o n i n the c r e d i t o r , a n d i n j u r y i s i n f l i c t e d o n the d e b t o r . T h e a t t r i b u t i o n o f m o r a l acc o u n t a b i l i t y t o the d e b t o r t h u s r a t i o n a l i z e s the d e s i r e o f the c r e d i t o r t o p u n i s h the d e b t o r . W i t h that n o t i o n o f " a c c o u n t a b i l i t y " emerges a w h o l e p a n o p l y of m o r a l l y saturated psyc h i c p h e n o m e n a : i n t e n t i o n a l i t y , e v e n c e r t a i n v e r s i o n s o f the w i l l itself. B u t the d e s i r e t o p u n i s h c a n n o t b e f u l l y a c c o u n t e d f o r b y the c i r c u m s t a n c e s o f the b r o k e n c o n t r a c t . W h y d o e s the c r e d i t o r t a k e p l e a s u r e i n the i n f l i c t i o n o f i n j u r y , a n d w h a t f o r m does that p l e a s u r e t a k e w h e n i n j u r y i s i n f l i c t e d i n the m o r a l i z e d a c t i o n b y w h i c h the c r e d i t o r h o l d s the d e b t o r m o r a l l y

In section 3, w h i c h follows this discussion, Nietzsche recon-

accountable a n d p r o n o u n c e s h i m g u i l t y ? W h a t strange con-

s i d e r s t h i s i d e a l i z a t i o n o f the p r o m i s i n g a n i m a l a n d a s k s h o w

s u m m a t i o n o f p l e a s u r e takes p l a c e i n that a t t r i b u t i o n o f g u i l t ?

74

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75

T h i s a c c o u n t o f h o w the a t t r i b u t i o n o f g u i l t o r i g i n a t e s i s n o t

a c t u a l i z e d a s d e e d , a n d t o e m e r g e o n the c o n d i t i o n that the

yet the f o r m a t i o n o f b a d c o n s c i e n c e ( w h i c h w o u l d , o f c o u r s e ,

p r o m i s e has b e e n b r o k e n . B u t r e c a l l that the e x e c u t i o n o f the

b e the s e l f - a t t r i b u t i o n o r s e l f - i n f l i c t i o n o f g u i l t ) . I t p r e s u p -

d e e d w a s n o t w i t h o u t its f a b r i c a t i o n s : o n e effect o f the p r o m -

p o s e s that a c o n t r a c t has b e e n b r o k e n , a n d the e x i s t e n c e of the

ise i s t o p r o d u c e a n "I" w h i c h m i g h t s t a n d f o r itself across

c o n t r a c t p r e s u p p o s e s the i n s t i t u t i o n o f p r o m i s i n g . I n d e e d , the

t i m e . T h u s , the f a b r i c a t i o n o f s u c h a n "I" i s the p a r a d o x i c a l r e -

d e b t o r i s o n e w h o fails t o k e e p h i s p r o m i s e , p r o t r a c t h i s w i l l ,

s u l t o f the p r o m i s e . T h e " I " b e c o m e s c o n t i n u o u s w i t h its d e e d ,

a n d d i s c h a r g e h i s w o r d i n the e x e c u t i o n o f a n act.

b u t its d e e d is, p a r a d o x i c a l l y , to create the c o n t i n u i t y of itself.

T h e p u n i s h m e n t o f the d e b t o r t h u s p r e s u p p o s e s the m o d e l

B a d c o n s c i e n c e w o u l d b e the f a b r i c a t i o n o f i n f e r i o r i t y that

o r i d e a l o f the p r o m i s i n g a n i m a l , y e t t h i s p r o m i s i n g a n i m a l

attends the b r e a k i n g o f a p r o m i s e , the d i s c o n t i n u i t y o f the w i l l ,

c o u l d n o t c o m e i n t o b e i n g w i t h o u t the i m p r e s s i o n s o f t e r r o r

b u t the " I " w h o w o u l d k e e p the p r o m i s e i s p r e c i s e l y the c u l -

p r o d u c e d b y p u n i s h m e n t . T h e p u n i s h m e n t o f the d e b t o r a p -

t i v a t e d effect o f t h i s c o n t i n u o u s f a b r i c a t i o n o f i n f e r i o r i t y . C a n

p e a r s t o e m e r g e i n r e s p o n s e t o a n i n j u r y , the d e b t b e i n g cast

there e v e n b e a p r o m i s i n g b e i n g , o n e w h o i s able t o d i s c h a r g e

as that i n j u r y , b u t the r e s p o n s e takes on a m e a n i n g that ex-

w o r d s i n t o deeds, w i t h o u t the b a d c o n s c i e n c e w h i c h f o r m s

ceeds the e x p l i c i t p u r p o s e o f a c h i e v i n g c o m p e n s a t i o n . F o r the

the v e r y " I " w h o m a k e s g o o d h i s w o r d t h r o u g h t i m e , w h o has

p u n i s h m e n t i s p l e a s u r a b l e , a n d the i n f l i c t i o n o f i n j u r y i s c o n -

a m e m o r y o f the w i l l , a n d f o r w h o m the p s y c h e has a l r e a d y

s t r u e d as a s e d u c t i o n to life ( 6 6 - 6 7 / 3 0 1 - 2 ) .

been produced?

I f t h i s c o m p l i c a t e d scene a n i m a t e s the c r e d i t o r , h o w d o w e

N i e t z s c h e d e s c r i b e s " b a d c o n s c i e n c e i n its b e g i n n i n g s " a s

u n d e r s t a n d the f o r m a t i o n o f b a d c o n s c i e n c e i n the d e b t o r ?

the "instinct for freedom f o r c i b l y m a d e l a t e n t " (87/325).

N i e t z s c h e w r i t e s , " P u n i s h m e n t i s s u p p o s e d t o h a v e the v a l u e

w h e r e i s the trace o f t h i s f r e e d o m i n the s e l f - s h a c k l i n g that

o f a w a k e n i n g the f e e l i n g o f g u i l t i n the g u i l t y p e r s o n ; o n e

N i e t z s c h e d e s c r i b e s ? I t i s t o b e f o u n d i n the p l e a s u r e t a k e n i n

But

seeks in it the a c t u a l instrumentum of that p s y c h i c a l r e a c t i o n

a f f l i c t i n g p a i n , a p l e a s u r e t a k e n i n a f f l i c t i n g p a i n o n oneself

c a l l e d ' b a d c o n s c i e n c e , ' ' s t i n g o f c o n s c i e n c e ' " (81/318).

i n the s e r v i c e of, i n the n a m e of, m o r a l i t y . T h i s p l e a s u r e i n af-

B u t N i e t z s c h e takes h i s d i s t a n c e f r o m t h i s f o r m u l a t i o n ,

f l i c t i o n , a t t r i b u t e d e a r l i e r t o the c r e d i t o r , t h u s b e c o m e s , u n d e r

s i n c e n o t m e r e l y p s y c h i c r e a c t i o n s , b u t the p s y c h e itself i s

the p r e s s u r e o f the s o c i a l c o n t r a c t , a n i n t e r n a l i z e d p l e a s u r e ,

the i n s t r u m e n t o f t h i s p u n i s h m e n t . T h e i n t e r n a l i z a t i o n o f i n -

the j o y o f p e r s e c u t i n g oneself. T h e o r i g i n o f b a d c o n s c i e n c e is,

s t i n c t — w h i c h takes p l a c e w h e n the i n s t i n c t does n o t i m m e d i -

t h u s , the j o y t a k e n i n p e r s e c u t i n g oneself, w h e r e the self p e r s e -

a t e l y d i s c h a r g e a s the d e e d — i s u n d e r s t o o d t o p r o d u c e the s o u l

c u t e d d o e s n o t exist o u t s i d e the o r b i t o f that p e r s e c u t i o n . B u t

o r the p s y c h e i n s t e a d ; the p r e s s u r e e x e r t e d f r o m the w a l l s o f

the i n t e r n a l i z a t i o n o f p u n i s h m e n t i s the v e r y p r o d u c t i o n o f the

s o c i e t y forces a n i n t e r n a l i z a t i o n w h i c h c u l m i n a t e s i n the p r o -

self, a n d i t i s i n t h i s p r o d u c t i o n that p l e a s u r e a n d f r e e d o m are

d u c t i o n o f the s o u l , t h i s p r o d u c t i o n b e i n g u n d e r s t o o d a s a p r i -

c u r i o u s l y l o c a t e d . P u n i s h m e n t i s n o t m e r e l y p r o d u c t i v e o f the

m a r y a r t i s t i c a c c o m p l i s h m e n t , the f a b r i c a t i o n o f a n i d e a l . T h i s

self, b u t t h i s v e r y p r o d u c t i v i t y o f p u n i s h m e n t i s the site for

f a b r i c a t i o n a p p e a r s t o take the p l a c e o f the p r o m i s e , the w o r d

the f r e e d o m a n d p l e a s u r e o f the w i l l , its f a b r i c a t i n g a c t i v i t y .

7

6

Nietzsche and Freud

Circuits of Bad Conscience

77

A s a p e c u l i a r d e f o r m a t i o n o f a r t i s t r y ( w h i c h is, o f c o u r s e ,

nomena, then it is difficult to imagine w h i c h of Nietzsche's

i n d i s t i n g u i s h a b l e f r o m its p r i m a r y f o r m a t i o n ) , s e l f - c o n s c i o u s -

fabulous genealogical terms w o u l d not finally be attributable

ness i s the f o r m the w i l l takes w h e n i t i s p r e v e n t e d f r o m

to t h i s b a d c o n s c i e n c e . I n d e e d , h i s p r o j e c t of o f f e r i n g a g e n e a l -

s i m p l e e x p r e s s i o n a s a d e e d . B u t i s the m o d e l b y w h i c h a n i n -

o g y o f b a d c o n s c i e n c e a p p e a r s t o f o u n d e r w h e n the v e r y t e r m s

s t i n c t o r a w i l l expresses o r d i s c h a r g e s itself i n a d e e d i n a n y

h e w i l l u s e t o a c c o u n t for t h i s f o r m a t i o n t u r n o u t t o b e the

sense p r i o r t o t h i s s e l f - t h w a r t e d e x p r e s s i o n o f b a d c o n s c i e n c e ?

effect o f t h i s f o r m a t i o n itself. E l s e w h e r e h e w i l l refuse, for i n -

C a n there b e a m o d e l o f p r o m i s i n g that d o e s n o t f r o m the first

stance, t o a c c e p t the n o t i o n o f the w i l l a s a c o n c e p t u a l g i v e n .

presuppose b a d conscience? The noble is described earlier as

In Beyond Good and Evil, he w r i t e s , " w i l l i n g s e e m s to me to

one for w h o m his w o r k i s "an instinctive creation a n d i m p o s i -

be . . . s o m e t h i n g complicated, s o m e t h i n g that is a u n i t o n l y as a

t i o n o f f o r m s . . . the m o s t i n v o l u n t a r y a n d u n c o n s c i o u s artists

w o r d . " O n c e w i l l i n g i s e l e v a t e d t o the status o f a p h i l o s o p h i 2

[that] there a r e " (86/325). T h e s o u l is p r e c i s e l y w h a t a c e r t a i n

cal concept, he writes, it is of necessity a k i n d of fiction. The

v i o l e n t a r t i s t r y p r o d u c e s w h e n i t takes itself a s its o w n object.

s a m e w o u l d c l e a r l y h o l d for the n o t i o n o f " i n s t i n c t , " a n d a l s o

T h e s o u l , the p s y c h e , i s n o t there p r i o r t o t h i s r e f l e x i v e m o v e ,

for the effort t o a c c o u n t c h r o n o l o g i c a l l y o r s e q u e n t i a l l y f o r

b u t t h i s r e f l e x i v e t u r n i n g o f the w i l l a g a i n s t itself p r o d u c e s i n

h o w a n y t h i n g c a n b e d e r i v e d f r o m the w i l l , o r the w i l l f r o m

its w a k e the m e t a p h o r i c s o f p s y c h i c life.

a n y t h i n g else: "one s h o u l d u s e 'cause' a n d 'effect' o n l y a s p u r e

If we u n d e r s t a n d the s o u l to be the effect of i m p o s i n g a

c o n c e p t s , that is to say, as c o n v e n t i o n a l f i c t i o n s for the p u r p o s e

f o r m u p o n oneself, w h e r e the f o r m i s t a k e n t o b e e q u i v a l e n t

o f d e s i g n a t i o n a n d c o m m u n i c a t i o n — n o t for e x p l a n a t i o n . "

t o the s o u l , t h e n there c a n b e n o p r o t r a c t e d w i l l , n o " I " that

On the Genealogy of Morals, he reiterates that c o n c e p t u a l i z a -

s t a n d s f o r itself t h r o u g h t i m e , w i t h o u t t h i s s e l f - i m p o s i t i o n o f

t i o n e m e r g e s f r o m the g e n e a l o g y o f t o r t u r e a s the p r o m i s e o f

f o r m , t h i s m o r a l l a b o r i n g o n oneself. T h i s f u n d a m e n t a l l y a r t i s -

a c e r t a i n escape: c o n c e p t s , he w r i t e s , are an effort to g a i n r e -

3

In

tic p r o d u c t i o n o f b a d c o n s c i e n c e , the p r o d u c t i o n o f a " f o r m "

lease f r o m a t o r t u r e . Is the v e r y c o n c e p t u a l a p p a r a t u s of On

f r o m a n d o f the w i l l , i s d e s c r i b e d b y N i e t z s c h e a s "the w o m b

the Genealogy of Morals i m p l i c a t e d in t h i s d e s c r i p t i o n , a n d is

o f a l l i d e a l a n d i m a g i n a t i v e p h e n o m e n a " (87/326). B a d c o n -

N i e t z s c h e ' s text t h e n a n effort t o escape f r o m the t o r t u r e s o f

s c i e n c e i s f a b r i c a t e d , b u t i t i n t u r n i s c r e d i t e d w i t h the f a b r i -

b a d c o n s c i e n c e , a l t h o u g h i t o w e s its life, a s i t w e r e , t o that v e r y

c a t i o n o f a l l i d e a l a n d i m a g i n a t i v e p h e n o m e n a . I s there, t h e n ,

source?

a n y w a y t o a n s w e r the q u e s t i o n o f w h e t h e r a r t i s t r y p r e c e d e s

I f a l l " i m a g i n a t i v e p h e n o m e n a " are the r e s u l t o f t h i s v i o l e n t

b a d c o n s c i e n c e o r i s its r e s u l t ? I s there a n y w a y t o p o s t u l a t e

i n t e r i o r i z a t i o n , i t f o l l o w s that the g e n e a l o g i c a l a c c o u n t w i l l b e

s o m e t h i n g b e f o r e t h i s " t u r n i n g b a c k u p o n i t s e l f " w h i c h i s the

o n e of these p h e n o m e n a , a n a r r a t i v e effect of the n a r r a t i v e it

t r o p i c f o u n d a t i o n o f the subject a n d a l l a r t i s t r y , i n c l u d i n g a l l

seeks t o t e l l . T h e u n m a s k i n g o f the n a r r a t i v e i s its r e m a s k i n g —

i m a g i n a t i o n a n d c o n c e p t u a l life?

i n e v i t a b l y . I n d e e d , i t seems that the v e r y c r e a t i v i t y o n e seeks

I f b a d c o n s c i e n c e originates

imaginative and ideal phe-

t o o p p o s e t o the i n h i b i t i o n o f s t r e n g t h i s f u n d a m e n t a l l y d e -

78

Nietzsche and Freud

Circuits of Bad Conscience

p e n d e n t o n that v e r y i n h i b i t i o n . I n t h i s sense, r e p r e s s i o n a p p e a r s t o u n d e r w r i t e o r g u a r a n t e e b o t h the b e i n g w h o p r o m i s e s a n d the w r i t e r o f f i c t i o n , i n c l u d i n g c o n c e p t u a l f i c t i o n s s u c h a s

79

o n l y t o want s o m e t h i n g — a n d t o b e g i n w i t h , i t m a t t e r e d n o t w h a t , w h e r e t o , or h o w he w a n t e d :

the will itself was saved"

(162/411).

g e n e a l o g y . T h e u n i t y o f w i l l a t t r i b u t e d t o the p r o m i s i n g i s itself

I n h i s a n a l y s i s o f n e u r o s i s , F r e u d u n d e r s t o o d t h i s differ-

the effect of a r e p r e s s i o n , a f o r g e t f u l n e s s , a n o t - r e m e m b e r i n g

ently, a s a k i n d o f l i b i d i n a l a t t a c h m e n t t o a p r o h i b i t i o n w h i c h

o f the satisfactions w h i c h a p p e a r t o p r e c e d e r e p r e s s i o n , a n d

has a s its p u r p o s e the t h w a r t i n g o f l i b i d i n a l g r a t i f i c a t i o n .

w h i c h repression makes sure w i l l not appear again.

W h e r e that t h w a r t i n g c o n s t i t u t e s a r e p r e s s i o n , the r e p r e s s i o n i s s u s t a i n e d b y the l i b i d o that i t seeks t o t h w a r t . I n n e u r o -

Freud, Narcissism, and Regulation I n t h i s f i n a l s e c t i o n , I w o u l d l i k e t o r e t u r n t o the p r o b l e m o f

sis, the e t h i c a l r e g u l a t i o n o f b o d i l y i m p u l s e b e c o m e s the f o c u s a n d a i m o f i m p u l s e itself. H e r e w e are g i v e n t o u n d e r s t a n d a n a t t a c h m e n t t o s u b j e c t i o n w h i c h i s f o r m a t i v e o f the r e f l e x i v e

social regulation, not as acting on a psyche, but as c o m p l i c i -

structure of subjection. The i m p u l s e w h i c h w o u l d be negated

t o u s i n the f o r m a t i o n o f the p s y c h e a n d its d e s i r e . T o that e n d ,

i s i n a d v e r t e n t l y preserved b y that v e r y n e g a t i n g a c t i v i t y .

I p r o p o s e a d e t o u r t h r o u g h F r e u d ; the N i e t z s c h e a n r e s o n a n c e s i n h i s c o n s i d e r a t i o n o f c o n s c i e n c e w i l l b e c o m e clear.

W e c a n hear a r e s o n a n c e o f N i e t z s c h e w h e n F r e u d d e s c r i b e s the p r o c e s s b y w h i c h l i b i d o c o m e s u n d e r the c e n s o r

The postulation of repression's p r i m a c y brings us directly

of the l a w o n l y to r e e m e r g e as the s u s t a i n i n g affect of that

t o F r e u d , a n d t o a r e c o n s i d e r a t i o n o f the p r o b l e m o f p u n -

l a w . T h e r e p r e s s i o n o f the l i b i d o i s a l w a y s t o b e u n d e r s t o o d

i s h m e n t i n r e l a t i o n t o the f o r m a t i o n o f c o n s c i e n c e a n d s o c i a l

as itself a l i b i d i n a l l y i n v e s t e d r e p r e s s i o n . H e n c e , the l i b i d o is

s u b j e c t i o n . I f t h i s s u b j e c t i o n i s n o t m e c h a n i s t i c , n o t the s i m p l e

not absolutely negated t h r o u g h repression, but rather becomes

effect o f a n i n t e r n a l i z a t i o n , t h e n h o w c a n w e u n d e r s t a n d the

the i n s t r u m e n t o f its o w n s u b j e c t i o n . T h e r e p r e s s i v e l a w i s

p s y c h i c e n g a g e m e n t w i t h s u b j e c t i o n i n a w a y that d o e s n o t d i s -

n o t e x t e r n a l t o the l i b i d o that i t represses, b u t the r e p r e s s i v e

j o i n the d i s c o u r s e o f s e l f - s u b j e c t i o n f r o m the p r o b l e m o f s o c i a l

l a w represses t o the extent that r e p r e s s i o n b e c o m e s a l i b i d i -

regulation? H o w can cultivating a narcissistic attachment to

n a l a c t i v i t y . F u r t h e r , m o r a l i n t e r d i c t i o n s , e s p e c i a l l y t h o s e that

p u n i s h m e n t b e the m e a n s b y w h i c h the p o w e r o f s o c i a l r e g u -

are t u r n e d a g a i n s t the b o d y , are t h e m s e l v e s s u s t a i n e d b y the

l a t i o n e x p l o i t s a n a r c i s s i s t i c d e m a n d for s e l f - r e f l e c t i o n w h i c h

b o d i l y a c t i v i t y that t h e y seek t o c u r b .

is i n d i f f e r e n t to its o c c a s i o n ?

T h e desire to desire is a w i l l i n g n e s s to desire precisely w h a t

T h i s s u g g e s t i o n o f n a r c i s s i s m is, I w o u l d suggest, a l r e a d y

w o u l d f o r e c l o s e d e s i r e , i f o n l y for the p o s s i b i l i t y o f c o n t i n u i n g

a t w o r k i n N i e t z s c h e . T h e ascetic i d e a l , u n d e r s t o o d a s a w i l l

t o d e s i r e . T h i s d e s i r e f o r d e s i r e i s e x p l o i t e d i n the p r o c e s s o f

to nothingness, is a w a y of i n t e r p r e t i n g a l l suffering as guilt.

s o c i a l r e g u l a t i o n , f o r i f the t e r m s b y w h i c h w e g a i n s o c i a l r e c -

W h e r e a s g u i l t w o r k s t o d e n y a s p e c i f i c k i n d o f object f o r

o g n i t i o n for o u r s e l v e s are t h o s e b y w h i c h w e are r e g u l a t e d and

h u m a n w a n t s , i t c a n n o t o b l i t e r a t e the w a n t i n g c h a r a c t e r o f

g a i n s o c i a l existence, t h e n t o a f f i r m o n e ' s e x i s t e n c e i s t o c a p i t u -

h u m a n s . A c c o r d i n g t o the dictates o f g u i l t , t h e n , " m a n h a d

late t o one's s u b o r d i n a t i o n — a s o r r y b i n d . H o w p r e c i s e l y t h i s

81

Circuits of Bad Conscience

Nietzsche and Freud

narcissistic attachment to attachment is exploited by mecha-

Its Discontents, w h e r e it t u r n s o u t that the p r o h i b i t i o n a g a i n s t

n i s m s o f s o c i a l r e g u l a t i o n i s i n a d v e r t e n t l y m a d e c l e a r i n a set

h o m o s e x u a l i t y w h i c h c o n s c i e n c e i s s a i d t o enact o r a r t i c u l a t e

o f s p e c u l a t i o n s that F r e u d offers o n the r e p r e s s i o n o f h o m o -

f o u n d s a n d c o n s t i t u t e s c o n s c i e n c e itself a s a p s y c h i c p h e n o m e -

s e x u a l i t y a n d the f o r m a t i o n o f c o n s c i e n c e a n d c i t i z e n s h i p . I n

n o n . T h e p r o h i b i t i o n a g a i n s t the d e s i r e i s that d e s i r e a s i t t u r n s

80

" O n the M e c h a n i s m o f P a r a n o i a , " h e l i n k s the s u p p r e s s i o n o f

b a c k u p o n itself, a n d t h i s t u r n i n g b a c k u p o n itself b e c o m e s the

h o m o s e x u a l d r i v e s t o the p r o d u c t i o n o f s o c i a l f e e l i n g . A t the

v e r y i n c e p t i o n , the v e r y a c t i o n o f w h a t i s r e n d e r e d e n t i t a t i v e

e n d o f that p i e c e , h e r e m a r k s that " h o m o s e x u a l d r i v e s " h e l p

t h r o u g h the t e r m " c o n s c i e n c e . "

t o c o n s t i t u t e "the s o c i a l i n s t i n c t s , t h u s c o n t r i b u t i n g a n e r o t i c factor to f r i e n d s h i p a n d c o m r a d e s h i p , to esprit de corps a n d to

F r e u d w r i t e s in Civilization and Its

Discontents

"that c o n -

science (or m o r e c o r r e c t l y , the a n x i e t y w h i c h later b e c o m e s

the l o v e o f m a n k i n d i n g e n e r a l . " A t the c l o s e o f the essay " O n

conscience) i s i n d e e d the cause o f i n s t i n c t u a l r e n u n c i a t i o n t o

N a r c i s s i s m , " h e m i g h t b e r e a d a s s p e c i f y i n g the l o g i c w h e r e b y

b e g i n w i t h , b u t that later the r e l a t i o n s h i p i s r e v e r s e d . E v e r y

t h i s p r o d u c t i o n o f s o c i a l f e e l i n g takes p l a c e . T h e " e g o - i d e a l , "

renunciation of instinct n o w becomes a d y n a m i c source of

h e w r i t e s , has a s o c i a l s i d e : " i t i s a l s o the c o m m o n i d e a l o f

c o n s c i e n c e a n d e v e r y f r e s h r e n u n c i a t i o n increases the latter's

a f a m i l y , a class or a n a t i o n . It n o t o n l y b i n d s the n a r c i s s i s t i c

severity a n d intolerance."

4

6

l i b i d o , b u t a l s o a c o n s i d e r a b l e a m o u n t o f the p e r s o n ' s h o m o -

A c c o r d i n g t o F r e u d , t h e n , the s e l f - i m p o s e d i m p e r a t i v e s that

s e x u a l l i b i d o , w h i c h i n t h i s w a y b e c o m e s t u r n e d b a c k i n t o the

c h a r a c t e r i z e the c i r c u l a r r o u t e o f c o n s c i e n c e are p u r s u e d a n d

ego. T h e d i s s a t i s f a c t i o n d u e t o the n o n - f u l f i l l m e n t o f the i d e a l

a p p l i e d p r e c i s e l y b e c a u s e t h e y are n o w the site o f the v e r y sat-

liberates h o m o s e x u a l l i b i d o , w h i c h i s t r a n s f o r m e d i n t o sense

i s f a c t i o n that t h e y seek t o p r o h i b i t . I n o t h e r w o r d s , p r o h i b i t i o n

o f g u i l t ( d r e a d o f the c o m m u n i t y ) . "

This transformation of

b e c o m e s the o c c a s i o n for r e l i v i n g the i n s t i n c t u n d e r the r u b r i c

h o m o s e x u a l i t y i n t o g u i l t a n d , therefore, i n t o the basis o f s o c i a l

o f the c o n d e m n i n g l a w . P r o h i b i t i o n r e p r o d u c e s the p r o h i b i t e d

f e e l i n g takes p l a c e w h e n the fear o f p a r e n t a l p u n i s h m e n t b e -

d e s i r e a n d b e c o m e s i n t e n s i f i e d t h r o u g h the r e n u n c i a t i o n s i t

c o m e s g e n e r a l i z e d a s the d r e a d o f l o s i n g the l o v e o f f e l l o w

effects. T h e "afterlife" o f p r o h i b i t e d d e s i r e takes p l a c e t h r o u g h

m e n . P a r a n o i a i s the w a y i n w h i c h that l o v e i s c o n s i s t e n t l y

the p r o h i b i t i o n itself, w h e r e the p r o h i b i t i o n n o t o n l y s u s t a i n s ,

r e i m a g i n e d a s a l w a y s a l m o s t w i t h d r a w n , a n d i t is, p a r a d o x i -

b u t is sustained by the d e s i r e that it forces i n t o r e n u n c i a t i o n .

c a l l y , fear o f l o s i n g that l o v e w h i c h m o t i v a t e s the s u b l i m a t i o n

I n t h i s sense, t h e n , r e n u n c i a t i o n takes p l a c e t h r o u g h the v e r y

or introversion of homosexuality. Indeed, this s u b l i m a t i o n is

d e s i r e that is r e n o u n c e d : the d e s i r e is never r e n o u n c e d , b u t

n o t q u i t e a s i n s t r u m e n t a l a s i t m a y s o u n d , for i t i s n o t that o n e

b e c o m e s p r e s e r v e d a n d r e a s s e r t e d i n the v e r y s t r u c t u r e o f r e -

d i s a v o w s h o m o s e x u a l i t y i n o r d e r t o g a i n the l o v e o f f e l l o w

nunciation.

5

m e n , b u t that a c e r t a i n h o m o s e x u a l i t y c a n o n l y b e a c h i e v e d a n d c o n t a i n e d through t h i s d i s a v o w a l .

T h i s e x a m p l e l e a d s u s b a c k t o the t r o p e w i t h w h i c h w e b e g a n , the f i g u r e o f c o n s c i e n c e a s t u r n i n g b a c k o n itself a s i f

A n o t h e r place in F r e u d w h e r e this becomes v e r y clear is

it w e r e a b o d y r e c o i l e d on itself, r e c o i l e d at the t h o u g h t of its

the d i s c u s s i o n of the f o r m a t i o n of c o n s c i e n c e in Civilization and

d e s i r e , f o r w h o m its d e s i r e i s s y m p t o m a t i z e d a s that p o s t u r e

r

82

Circuits of Bad Conscience

o f r e c o i l . C o n s c i e n c e i s t h u s f i g u r e d a s a b o d y w h i c h takes itself as its object, f o r c e d i n t o a p e r m a n e n t p o s t u r e of n e g a t i v e n a r c i s s i s m or, m o r e p r e c i s e l y , a n a r c i s s i s t i c a l l y n o u r i s h e d self-beratement (then, mistakenly, identified w i t h a narcissist i c stage).

Subjection, Resistance, Resignification

C o n s i d e r — a s a p a r t i n g s h o t — h o w the c o n t e m p o r a r y efforts t o r e g u l a t e h o m o s e x u a l i t y w i t h i n the U . S . m i l i t a r y are t h e m selves the r e g u l a t o r y f o r m a t i o n o f the m a s c u l i n e subject, o n e

Between

w h o consecrates h i s i d e n t i t y t h r o u g h renunciation a s a n act o f

Freud

and

Foucault

s p e e c h : to say "I am a h o m o s e x u a l " is fine as l o n g as o n e a l s o promises " a n d I d o n ' t i n t e n d to act." T h i s , the s u p p r e s s i o n a n d s u s t a i n i n g o f h o m o s e x u a l i t y i n a n d t h r o u g h the c i r c u l a r p o s t u r e b y w h i c h a b o d y utters its o w n r e n u n c i a t i o n , accedes t o its r e g u l a t i o n t h r o u g h the p r o m i s e . B u t that p e r f o r m a t i v e u t t e r a n c e , h o w e v e r c o m p e l l e d , w i l l b e subject t o i n f e l i c i t y , t o

M y p r o b l e m i s essentially the d e f i n i t i o n o f the i m p l i c i t systems in w h i c h we find ourselves prisoners; what I w o u l d

s p e a k i n g o t h e r w i s e , t o r e c i t i n g o n l y h a l f the sentence, d e f o r m -

l i k e t o grasp i s the s y s t e m o f l i m i t s a n d e x c l u s i o n w h i c h

i n g the p r o m i s e , r e f o r m u l a t i n g the c o n f e s s i o n a s d e f i a n c e , r e -

w e p r a c t i c e w i t h o u t k n o w i n g it; I w o u l d l i k e t o m a k e the

m a i n i n g silent. T h i s o p p o s i t i o n w i l l d r a w f r o m a n d oppose

cultural unconscious apparent. — Foucault, "Rituals of E x c l u s i o n "

the p o w e r b y w h i c h i t i s c o m p e l l e d , a n d t h i s s h o r t c i r c u i t i n g of r e g u l a t o r y p o w e r c o n s t i t u t e s the p o s s i b i l i t y of a postmoral g e s t u r e t o w a r d a less r e g u l a r f r e e d o m , o n e that f r o m the p e r s p e c t i v e of a less c o d i f i a b l e set of v a l u e s calls i n t o q u e s t i o n the values of morality.

C

o n s i d e r , in Discipline and Punish, the p a r a d o x i c a l c h a r a c ter o f w h a t F o u c a u l t d e s c r i b e s a s the s u b j e c t i v a t i o n o f

the p r i s o n e r . T h e t e r m " s u b j e c t i v a t i o n " c a r r i e s the p a r a d o x i n itself: assujetissement d e n o t e s b o t h the b e c o m i n g of the subject a n d the p r o c e s s o f s u b j e c t i o n — o n e i n h a b i t s the f i g u r e o f a u t o n o m y o n l y by b e c o m i n g subjected to a power, a subjection

w h i c h i m p l i e s a r a d i c a l dependency. F o r F o u c a u l t , this p r o cess o f s u b j e c t i v a t i o n takes p l a c e c e n t r a l l y t h r o u g h the b o d y . In Discipline and Punish the p r i s o n e r ' s b o d y n o t o n l y a p p e a r s as a sign of g u i l t a n d t r a n s g r e s s i o n , as the e m b o d i m e n t of p r o h i b i t i o n a n d the s a n c t i o n for r i t u a l s o f n o r m a l i z a t i o n , b u t i s

Subjection, Resistance, Resignification

Between Freud and Foucault

f r a m e d a n d f o r m e d t h r o u g h the d i s c u r s i v e m a t r i x o f a j u r i d i -

f u l l siege a n d i n v a s i o n o f that b o d y b y the s i g n i f y i n g p r a c t i c e s

c a l subject. T h e c l a i m that a d i s c o u r s e " f o r m s " the b o d y i s n o

o f the p r i s o n — n a m e l y , i n s p e c t i o n , c o n f e s s i o n , the r e g u l a r i z a -

s i m p l e one, a n d f r o m the start w e m u s t d i s t i n g u i s h h o w s u c h

t i o n a n d n o r m a l i z a t i o n o f b o d i l y m o v e m e n t a n d gesture, the

" f o r m i n g " is n o t the s a m e as a " c a u s i n g " or " d e t e r m i n i n g , " s t i l l

d i s c i p l i n a r y r e g i m e s o f the b o d y w h i c h h a v e l e d f e m i n i s t s t o

less is it a n o t i o n that b o d i e s are s o m e h o w m a d e of d i s c o u r s e

c o n s u l t F o u c a u l t i n o r d e r t o elaborate the d i s c i p l i n a r y p r o d u c -

pure and simple.

t i o n o f gender. T h e p r i s o n t h u s acts o n the p r i s o n e r ' s b o d y ,

84

1

85

2

F o u c a u l t suggests that the p r i s o n e r i s n o t r e g u l a t e d b y a n

b u t i t does s o b y f o r c i n g the p r i s o n e r t o a p p r o x i m a t e a n i d e a l ,

exterior r e l a t i o n of p o w e r , w h e r e b y an i n s t i t u t i o n takes a p r e -

a n o r m o f b e h a v i o r , a m o d e l o f o b e d i e n c e . T h i s i s h o w the

g i v e n i n d i v i d u a l a s the target o f its s u b o r d i n a t i n g a i m s . O n

prisoner's i n d i v i d u a l i t y is rendered coherent, totalized, m a d e

the c o n t r a r y , the i n d i v i d u a l i s f o r m e d or, rather, f o r m u l a t e d

i n t o the d i s c u r s i v e a n d c o n c e p t u a l p o s s e s s i o n o f the p r i s o n ; i t

t h r o u g h his discursively constituted " i d e n t i t y " as prisoner.

is, a s F o u c a u l t insists, the w a y i n w h i c h " h e b e c o m e s the p r i n -

S u b j e c t i o n is, l i t e r a l l y , the making of a subject, the p r i n c i p l e

ciple of his o w n subjection." This normative ideal inculcated,

o f r e g u l a t i o n a c c o r d i n g t o w h i c h a subject i s f o r m u l a t e d o r

a s i t w e r e , i n t o the p r i s o n e r i s a k i n d o f p s y c h i c i d e n t i t y , o r

p r o d u c e d . S u c h s u b j e c t i o n i s a k i n d o f p o w e r that n o t o n l y

w h a t F o u c a u l t w i l l c a l l a " s o u l . " B e c a u s e the s o u l i s a n i m p r i s -

u n i l a t e r a l l y acts on a g i v e n i n d i v i d u a l as a f o r m of d o m i n a -

o n i n g effect, F o u c a u l t c l a i m s that the p r i s o n e r i s subjected " i n

t i o n , b u t also activates or f o r m s the subject. H e n c e , s u b j e c t i o n

a m o r e f u n d a m e n t a l w a y " t h a n b y the s p a t i a l c a p t i v i t y o f the

i s n e i t h e r s i m p l y the d o m i n a t i o n o f a subject n o r its p r o d u c -

p r i s o n . I n d e e d , i n the c i t a t i o n that f o l l o w s , the s o u l i s f i g u r e d

t i o n , b u t designates a c e r t a i n k i n d o f r e s t r i c t i o n i n p r o d u c t i o n ,

as itself a k i n d of s p a t i a l c a p t i v i t y , i n d e e d , as a k i n d of p r i s o n ,

a r e s t r i c t i o n w i t h o u t w h i c h the p r o d u c t i o n o f the subject c a n -

w h i c h p r o v i d e s the e x t e r i o r f o r m o r r e g u l a t o r y p r i n c i p l e o f

n o t t a k e p l a c e , a r e s t r i c t i o n t h r o u g h w h i c h that p r o d u c t i o n

the p r i s o n e r ' s b o d y . T h i s b e c o m e s c l e a r i n F o u c a u l t ' s f o r m u -

takes p l a c e . A l t h o u g h F o u c a u l t o c c a s i o n a l l y tries t o a r g u e that

l a t i o n that "the m a n d e s c r i b e d for us, w h o m w e are i n v i t e d t o

h i s t o r i c a l l y juridical p o w e r — p o w e r a c t i n g o n , s u b o r d i n a t i n g ,

free, is a l r e a d y in h i m s e l f the effect of a s u b j e c t i o n [assujettisse-

p r e g i v e n subjects—precedes p r o d u c t i v e p o w e r , the c a p a c i t y o f

ment] m u c h m o r e p r o f o u n d t h a n h i m s e l f . . . the s o u l is the

p o w e r to form subjects, w i t h the p r i s o n e r it is clear that the

p r i s o n o f the b o d y " (30).

3

subject p r o d u c e d a n d the subject r e g u l a t e d o r s u b o r d i n a t e d

A l t h o u g h F o u c a u l t i s s p e c i f y i n g the s u b j e c t i v a t i o n o f the

are one, a n d that c o m p u l s o r y p r o d u c t i o n i s its o w n f o r m o f

p r i s o n e r here, h e a p p e a r s a l s o t o b e p r i v i l e g i n g the m e t a -

regulation.

p h o r o f the p r i s o n t o t h e o r i z e the s u b j e c t i v a t i o n o f the b o d y .

F o u c a u l t w a r n s a g a i n s t those w i t h i n the l i b e r a l t r a d i t i o n

W h a t are w e t o m a k e o f i m p r i s o n m e n t a n d i n v a s i o n a s the

w h o w o u l d l i b e r a t e the p r i s o n e r f r o m the p r i s o n ' s o p p r e s s i v e

p r i v i l e g e d f i g u r e s t h r o u g h w h i c h F o u c a u l t a r t i c u l a t e s the p r o -

confines, for the s u b j e c t i o n s i g n i f i e d b y the e x t e r i o r i n s t i t u t i o n

cess o f s u b j e c t i v a t i o n , the d i s c u r s i v e p r o d u c t i o n o f i d e n t i t i e s ?

o f the p r i s o n does n o t act a p a r t f r o m the i n v a s i o n a n d m a n a g e -

If discourse produces identity by supplying and enforcing

m e n t o f the p r i s o n e r ' s b o d y : w h a t F o u c a u l t d e s c r i b e s a s the

a regulatory p r i n c i p l e w h i c h t h o r o u g h l y invades, totalizes,

Subjection, Resistance, Resignification

Between Freud and Foucault

a n d r e n d e r s c o h e r e n t the i n d i v i d u a l , t h e n i t s e e m s that e v e r y

that i n f e r i o r i t y as a m a l l e a b l e s u r f a c e for the u n i l a t e r a l effects

" i d e n t i t y , " i n s o f a r as it is t o t a l i z i n g , acts as p r e c i s e l y s u c h

of disciplinary power.

86

87

a " s o u l that i m p r i s o n s the b o d y . " I n w h a t sense i s t h i s s o u l

I am in part m o v i n g t o w a r d a psychoanalytic criticism of

" m u c h m o r e p r o f o u n d " t h a n the p r i s o n e r h i m s e l f ? D o e s t h i s

F o u c a u l t , for I t h i n k that o n e c a n n o t a c c o u n t for s u b j e c t i v a -

m e a n that the s o u l p r e e x i s t s the b o d y that a n i m a t e s it? H o w

t i o n a n d , i n p a r t i c u l a r , b e c o m i n g the p r i n c i p l e o f o n e ' s o w n

are w e t o u n d e r s t a n d s u c h a c l a i m i n the c o n t e x t o f F o u c a u l t ' s

s u b j e c t i o n w i t h o u t r e c o u r s e to a p s y c h o a n a l y t i c a c c o u n t of the f o r m a t i v e o r g e n e r a t i v e effects o f r e s t r i c t i o n o r p r o h i b i t i o n .

theory of power? R a t h e r t h a n a n s w e r that q u e s t i o n d i r e c t l y , o n e m i g h t f o r the

M o r e o v e r , the f o r m a t i o n o f the subject c a n n o t f u l l y b e t h o u g h t

p u r p o s e s o f c l a r i f i c a t i o n c o u n t e r p o s e the " s o u l , " w h i c h F o u -

— i f it ever can b e — w i t h o u t recourse to a p a r a d o x i c a l l y en-

c a u l t a r t i c u l a t e s a s a n i m p r i s o n i n g f r a m e , t o the p s y c h e i n the

a b l i n g set of g r o u n d i n g c o n s t r a i n t s . Yet as I elaborate t h i s c r i -

p s y c h o a n a l y t i c sense. I n the p s y c h e , the subject's i d e a l c o r r e -

t i q u e , s o m e r o m a n t i c i z e d n o t i o n s o f the u n c o n s c i o u s d e f i n e d

4

s p o n d s t o the e g o - i d e a l , w h i c h the s u p e r - e g o i s s a i d t o c o n -

as necessary resistance w i l l come u n d e r critical scrutiny, a n d

s u l t , a s i t w e r e , i n o r d e r t o m e a s u r e the ego. L a c a n r e d e s c r i b e s

that c r i t i c i s m w i l l e n t a i l the r e e m e r g e n c e o f a F o u c a u l t i a n p e r -

t h i s i d e a l a s the " p o s i t i o n " o f the subject w i t h i n the s y m b o l i c ,

s p e c t i v e within p s y c h o a n a l y s i s . T h e q u e s t i o n of a s u p p r e s s e d

the n o r m that i n s t a l l s the subject w i t h i n l a n g u a g e a n d h e n c e

p s y c h o a n a l y s i s i n F o u c a u l t — r a i s e d b y F o u c a u l t h i m s e l f i n the

w i t h i n available schemes of c u l t u r a l intelligibility. This viable

reference t o a " c u l t u r a l u n c o n s c i o u s " q u o t e d i n the e p i g r a p h

a n d i n t e l l i g i b l e b e i n g , t h i s subject, i s a l w a y s p r o d u c e d a t a

t o t h i s c h a p t e r — m i g h t b e r a i s e d m o r e p r e c i s e l y a s the p r o b -

cost, a n d w h a t e v e r resists the n o r m a t i v e d e m a n d b y w h i c h

l e m o f l o c a t i n g o r a c c o u n t i n g f o r resistance. W h e r e d o e s r e s i s -

subjects are i n s t i t u t e d r e m a i n s u n c o n s c i o u s . T h u s the p s y c h e ,

tance t o o r i n d i s c i p l i n a r y subject f o r m a t i o n take p l a c e ? D o e s

w h i c h i n c l u d e s the u n c o n s c i o u s , i s v e r y d i f f e r e n t f r o m the

the r e d u c t i o n o f the p s y c h o a n a l y t i c a l l y r i c h n o t i o n o f the p s y -

subject: the p s y c h e i s p r e c i s e l y w h a t exceeds the i m p r i s o n i n g

che t o that o f the i m p r i s o n i n g s o u l e l i m i n a t e the p o s s i b i l i t y

effects of the d i s c u r s i v e d e m a n d to i n h a b i t a c o h e r e n t i d e n -

of r e s i s t a n c e to n o r m a l i z a t i o n a n d to subject f o r m a t i o n , a r e -

tity, to b e c o m e a c o h e r e n t subject. T h e p s y c h e is w h a t resists

s i s t a n c e that e m e r g e s p r e c i s e l y f r o m the i n c o m m e n s u r a b i l i t y

the r e g u l a r i z a t i o n that F o u c a u l t a s c r i b e s t o n o r m a l i z i n g d i s -

b e t w e e n p s y c h e a n d subject? H o w w o u l d w e u n d e r s t a n d s u c h

c o u r s e s . T h o s e d i s c o u r s e s are s a i d to i m p r i s o n the b o d y in the

resistance, a n d w o u l d s u c h a n u n d e r s t a n d i n g e n t a i l a c r i t i c a l

soul, t o a n i m a t e a n d c o n t a i n the b o d y w i t h i n that i d e a l f r a m e ,

r e t h i n k i n g o f p s y c h o a n a l y s i s a l o n g the w a y ?

a n d t o that extent r e d u c e the n o t i o n o f the p s y c h e t o the o p e r a tions of an externally framing a n d n o r m a l i z i n g ideal.

5

This

I n w h a t f o l l o w s , I w i l l ask t w o different k i n d s o f q u e s t i o n s , one of F o u c a u l t , a n d another of psychoanalysis ( a p p l y i n g this

F o u c a u l t i a n m o v e a p p e a r s t o treat the p s y c h e a s i f i t r e c e i v e d

term variously to F r e u d and to Lacan).

u n i l a t e r a l l y the effect o f the L a c a n i a n s y m b o l i c . T h e t r a n s p o s i -

u n d e r s t a n d s the p s y c h e t o b e a n i m p r i s o n i n g effect i n the ser-

t i o n o f the s o u l i n t o a n e x t e r i o r a n d i m p r i s o n i n g f r a m e f o r the

vice of n o r m a l i z a t i o n , then h o w m i g h t he account for psychic

b o d y vacates, a s i t w e r e , the i n f e r i o r i t y o f the b o d y , l e a v i n g

resistance to n o r m a l i z a t i o n ? Second, w h e n some p r o p o n e n t s

6

First, if Foucault

88

Subjection, Resistance, Resignification

Between Freud and Foucault

89

of p s y c h o a n a l y s i s i n s i s t that r e s i s t a n c e to n o r m a l i z a t i o n is a

o n l y u n d e r m i n e , but w h i c h appears to have no p o w e r to re-

f u n c t i o n o f the u n c o n s c i o u s , i s t h i s g u a r a n t e e o f p s y c h i c resis-

a r t i c u l a t e the t e r m s , the s y m b o l i c t e r m s — t o u s e L a c a n i a n p a r -

tance m e r e l y s l e i g h t o f h a n d ? M o r e p r e c i s e l y , i s the r e s i s t a n c e

l a n c e — b y w h i c h subjects are c o n s t i t u t e d , b y w h i c h s u b j e c t i o n

u p o n w h i c h psychoanalysis insists socially a n d discursively

i s i n s t a l l e d i n the v e r y f o r m a t i o n o f the subject? T h i s r e s i s t a n c e

p r o d u c e d , o r i s i t a k i n d o f r e s i s t a n c e to, a n u n d e r m i n i n g of,

establishes the i n c o m p l e t e c h a r a c t e r o f a n y effort t o p r o d u c e

s o c i a l a n d d i s c u r s i v e p r o d u c t i o n a s such? C o n s i d e r the c l a i m

a subject b y d i s c i p l i n a r y m e a n s , b u t i t r e m a i n s u n a b l e t o r e -

that the u n c o n s c i o u s o n l y a n d a l w a y s resists n o r m a l i z a t i o n ,

a r t i c u l a t e the d o m i n a n t t e r m s o f p r o d u c t i v e p o w e r .

that e v e r y r i t u a l o f c o n f o r m i t y t o the i n j u n c t i o n s o f c i v i l i z a -

Before

continuing

this

interrogation of psychoanalysis,

t i o n c o m e s at a cost, a n d that a c e r t a i n u n h a r n e s s e d a n d u n -

h o w e v e r , let u s r e t u r n t o the p r o b l e m o f b o d i e s i n F o u c a u l t .

s o c i a l i z e d r e m a i n d e r i s t h e r e b y p r o d u c e d , w h i c h contests the

H o w a n d w h y i s resistance d e n i e d t o bodies p r o d u c e d t h r o u g h

a p p e a r a n c e o f the l a w - a b i d i n g subject. T h i s p s y c h i c r e m a i n d e r

d i s c i p l i n a r y regimes? W h a t is this n o t i o n of d i s c i p l i n a r y p r o -

s i g n i f i e s the l i m i t s o f n o r m a l i z a t i o n . T h a t p o s i t i o n d o e s n o t

d u c t i o n , a n d does i t w o r k a s e f f i c a c i o u s l y a s F o u c a u l t a p p e a r s

i m p l y that s u c h r e s i s t a n c e w i e l d s the p o w e r t o r e w o r k o r r e -

to i m p l y ? In the f i n a l c h a p t e r of the first v o l u m e of The His-

a r t i c u l a t e the t e r m s o f d i s c u r s i v e d e m a n d , the d i s c i p l i n a r y i n -

tory of Sexuality, F o u c a u l t calls for a " h i s t o r y of b o d i e s " w h i c h

j u n c t i o n s b y w h i c h n o r m a l i z a t i o n o c c u r s . T o t h w a r t the i n j u n c -

w o u l d i n q u i r e i n t o "the m a n n e r i n w h i c h w h a t i s m o s t m a -

t i o n t o p r o d u c e a d o c i l e b o d y i s n o t the s a m e a s d i s m a n t l i n g

t e r i a l a n d v i t a l i n t h e m has b e e n i n v e s t e d . " I n t h i s f o r m u l a -

the i n j u n c t i o n o r c h a n g i n g the t e r m s o f subject c o n s t i t u t i o n . I f

t i o n , h e suggests that p o w e r acts n o t o n l y o n the b o d y b u t a l s o

the u n c o n s c i o u s , o r the p s y c h e m o r e g e n e r a l l y , i s d e f i n e d a s r e -

in the b o d y , that p o w e r n o t o n l y p r o d u c e s the b o u n d a r i e s of a

sistance, w h a t d o w e t h e n m a k e o f u n c o n s c i o u s a t t a c h m e n t s t o

subject b u t p e r v a d e s the i n f e r i o r i t y of that subject. In the last

7

s u b j e c t i o n , w h i c h i m p l y that the u n c o n s c i o u s i s n o m o r e free o f

f o r m u l a t i o n , i t a p p e a r s that there i s a n " i n s i d e " t o the b o d y

n o r m a l i z i n g d i s c o u r s e t h a n the subject? I f the u n c o n s c i o u s es-

w h i c h exists b e f o r e p o w e r ' s i n v a s i o n . B u t g i v e n the r a d i c a l ex-

capes f r o m a g i v e n n o r m a t i v e i n j u n c t i o n , t o w h a t o t h e r i n j u n c -

t e r i o r i t y o f the s o u l , h o w are w e t o u n d e r s t a n d " i n f e r i o r i t y "

t i o n d o e s i t f o r m a n a t t a c h m e n t ? W h a t m a k e s u s t h i n k that the

in F o u c a u l t ? That inferiority w i l l not be a soul, a n d it w i l l

u n c o n s c i o u s i s a n y less s t r u c t u r e d b y the p o w e r r e l a t i o n s that

n o t be a p s y c h e , b u t w h a t w i l l it be? Is t h i s a space of p u r e

p e r v a d e c u l t u r a l s i g n i f i e r s t h a n i s the l a n g u a g e o f the subject?

m a l l e a b i l i t y , o n e w h i c h is, a s i t w e r e , r e a d y t o c o n f o r m t o the

I f w e f i n d a n a t t a c h m e n t t o s u b j e c t i o n a t the l e v e l o f the u n -

d e m a n d s of socialization? Or is this i n f e r i o r i t y to be called,

c o n s c i o u s , w h a t k i n d o f r e s i s t a n c e i s t o b e w r o u g h t f r o m that?

s i m p l y , the b o d y ? H a s i t c o m e t o the p a r a d o x i c a l p o i n t w h e r e

E v e n i f w e g r a n t that u n c o n s c i o u s r e s i s t a n c e t o a n o r m a l -

F o u c a u l t w a n t s t o c l a i m that the s o u l i s the e x t e r i o r f o r m , a n d

i z i n g i n j u n c t i o n g u a r a n t e e s the f a i l u r e o f that i n j u n c t i o n f u l l y

8

the b o d y the i n t e r i o r space?

t o c o n s t i t u t e its subject, does s u c h r e s i s t a n c e d o a n y t h i n g t o

A l t h o u g h F o u c a u l t w a n t s o n o c c a s i o n t o refute the p o s s i -

alter o r e x p a n d the d o m i n a n t i n j u n c t i o n s o r i n t e r p e l l a t i o n s o f

b i l i t y of a b o d y w h i c h is not p r o d u c e d through p o w e r rela-

subject f o r m a t i o n ? W h a t d o w e m a k e o f a r e s i s t a n c e that c a n

t i o n s , s o m e t i m e s h i s e x p l a n a t i o n s r e q u i r e a b o d y to m a i n t a i n a

90

Subjection, Resistance, Resignification

Between

Freud

and

Foucault

91

m a t e r i a l i t y o n t o l o g i c a l l y d i s t i n c t f r o m the p o w e r r e l a t i o n s that

of a subject, a s u b j e c t i v a t i o n . T h e " s o u l b r i n g s [the p r i s o n e r ]

9

t a k e it as a site of i n v e s t m e n t . I n d e e d , the t e r m " s i t e " s e e m -

t o e x i s t e n c e " ; n o t u n l i k e i n A r i s t o t l e , the s o u l , a s a n i n s t r u -

i n g l y a p p e a r s i n t h i s p h r a s e w i t h o u t w a r r a n t , for w h a t i s the

m e n t o f p o w e r , f o r m s a n d f r a m e s the b o d y , s t a m p s i t , a n d i n

r e l a t i o n b e t w e e n the b o d y a s site a n d the i n v e s t m e n t s w h i c h

s t a m p i n g it, b r i n g s i t i n t o b e i n g . I n t h i s f o r m u l a t i o n , there i s

that site i s s a i d t o r e c e i v e o r b e a r ? D o e s the t e r m "site" s t a b i -

n o b o d y o u t s i d e o f p o w e r , f o r the m a t e r i a l i t y o f the b o d y —

l i z e the b o d y i n r e l a t i o n t o those i n v e s t m e n t s , w h i l e d e f l e c t i n g

indeed, materiality itself—is p r o d u c e d by a n d in direct rela-

the q u e s t i o n o f h o w i n v e s t m e n t s e s t a b l i s h , c o n t o u r , a n d d i s -

t i o n t o the i n v e s t m e n t o f p o w e r . T h e m a t e r i a l i t y o f the p r i s o n ,

r u p t w h a t the p h r a s e takes for g r a n t e d a s the b o d y ' s "site"

F o u c a u l t w r i t e s , is e s t a b l i s h e d to the extent that (dans la mesure

(i.e., d o e s the t e r m "site" deflect the project o f L a c a n ' s " m i r r o r

ou) it is a v e c t o r a n d i n s t r u m e n t of p o w e r .

1 2

H e n c e , the p r i s o n

stage")? W h a t c o n s t i t u t e s a n " i n v e s t m e n t , " a n d w h a t i s its c o n -

is materialized to the extent that it is invested with power. To be

stituting power? Does it have a v i s u a l i z i n g function, a n d can

g r a m m a t i c a l l y a c c u r a t e , there i s n o p r i s o n p r i o r t o its m a t e r i -

w e u n d e r s t a n d the p r o d u c t i o n o f the b o d i l y ego i n F r e u d a s

a l i z a t i o n ; its m a t e r i a l i z a t i o n i s c o e x t e n s i v e w i t h its i n v e s t i t u r e

the p r o j e c t e d o r s p a t i a l i z e d m o d a l i t y o f s u c h i n v e s t m e n t s ?

w i t h p o w e r r e l a t i o n s ; a n d m a t e r i a l i t y i s the effect a n d g a u g e

1 0

I n d e e d , t o w h a t extent i s the b o d y ' s site s t a b i l i z e d t h r o u g h a

o f t h i s i n v e s t m e n t . T h e p r i s o n c o m e s t o b e o n l y w i t h i n the

c e r t a i n p r o j e c t i v e i n s t a b i l i t y , one w h i c h F o u c a u l t c a n n o t q u i t e

f i e l d o f p o w e r r e l a t i o n s , m o r e s p e c i f i c a l l y , o n l y t o the extent

d e s c r i b e a n d w h i c h w o u l d p e r h a p s engage h i m i n the p r o b -

that i t i s s a t u r a t e d w i t h s u c h r e l a t i o n s a n d that s u c h a s a t u -

l e m a t i c o f the ego a s a n i m a g i n a r y f u n c t i o n ?

r a t i o n i s f o r m a t i v e o f its v e r y b e i n g . H e r e the b o d y — o f the

Discipline and Punish offers a different c o n f i g u r a t i o n of the

p r i s o n e r a n d o f the p r i s o n — i s n o t a n i n d e p e n d e n t m a t e r i a l i t y ,

r e l a t i o n b e t w e e n m a t e r i a l i t y a n d i n v e s t m e n t . T h e r e the s o u l

a static s u r f a c e or site, w h i c h a s u b s e q u e n t i n v e s t m e n t c o m e s

i s t a k e n t o b e a n i n s t r u m e n t o f p o w e r t h r o u g h w h i c h the

t o m a r k , s i g n i f y u p o n , o r p e r v a d e ; the b o d y i s that f o r w h i c h

b o d y is c u l t i v a t e d a n d f o r m e d . In a sense, it acts as a p o w e r -

m a t e r i a l i z a t i o n a n d i n v e s t i t u r e are c o e x t e n s i v e .

l a d e n s c h e m a that p r o d u c e s a n d a c t u a l i z e s the b o d y . W e c a n

A l t h o u g h the s o u l i s u n d e r s t o o d t o f r a m e the b o d y i n Disci-

u n d e r s t a n d F o u c a u l t ' s references t o the s o u l a s a n i m p l i c i t r e -

pline and Punish, F o u c a u l t suggests that the p r o d u c t i o n of the

w o r k i n g o f the A r i s t o t e l i a n f o r m u l a t i o n i n w h i c h the s o u l i s

"subject" takes p l a c e t o s o m e d e g r e e t h r o u g h the s u b o r d i n a -

u n d e r s t o o d t o b e the f o r m a n d p r i n c i p l e o f the b o d y ' s m a t t e r .

11

t i o n a n d e v e n d e s t r u c t i o n o f the b o d y . I n " N i e t z s c h e , G e n e a l -

F o u c a u l t a r g u e s in Discipline and Punish that the s o u l b e c o m e s

ogy, H i s t o r y , " F o u c a u l t r e m a r k s that o n l y t h r o u g h the d e -

a n o r m a t i v e a n d n o r m a l i z i n g i d e a l a c c o r d i n g t o w h i c h the

s t r u c t i o n o f the b o d y d o e s the subject a s a " d i s s o c i a t e d u n i t y "

b o d y is trained, shaped, cultivated, a n d invested; it is a his-

a p p e a r : "the b o d y i s the i n s c r i b e d s u r f a c e o f events ( t r a c e d b y

t o r i c a l l y s p e c i f i c i m a g i n a r y i d e a l (idéal spéculatif) u n d e r w h i c h

l a n g u a g e a n d d i s s o l v e d b y ideas), the l o c u s o f a d i s s o c i a t e d

the b o d y i s m a t e r i a l i z e d . T h i s " s u b j e c t i o n " or assujetissement is n o t o n l y a s u b o r d i nation but a securing a n d maintaining, a putting into place

self ( a d o p t i n g the i l l u s i o n of a s u b s t a n t i a l u n i t y ) , a n d a v o l u m e in perpetual disintegration."

1 3

T h e subject a p p e a r s a t the

e x p e n s e o f the b o d y , a n a p p e a r a n c e c o n d i t i o n e d i n i n v e r s e r e -

9

2

Subjection, Resistance, Resignification

Between

Freud

and

Foucault

93

l a t i o n t o the d i s a p p e a r a n c e o f the b o d y . T h e subject n o t o n l y

j e c t i v a t i o n that e x c e e d s the n o r m a l i z i n g a i m s b y w h i c h i t i s

e f f e c t i v e l y takes the p l a c e of the b o d y b u t acts as the s o u l

m o b i l i z e d , f o r e x a m p l e , i n " r e v e r s e - d i s c o u r s e , " o r (b) t h r o u g h

w h i c h f r a m e s a n d f o r m s the b o d y i n c a p t i v i t y . H e r e the f o r m -

convergence w i t h other discursive regimes, whereby inadver-

i n g a n d f r a m i n g f u n c t i o n o f that e x t e r i o r s o u l w o r k s against

t e n t l y p r o d u c e d d i s c u r s i v e c o m p l e x i t y u n d e r m i n e s the teleo-

the b o d y ; i n d e e d , i t m i g h t b e u n d e r s t o o d a s the s u b l i m a t i o n

logical aims of n o r m a l i z a t i o n .

o f the b o d y i n c o n s e q u e n c e o f d i s p l a c e m e n t a n d s u b s t i t u t i o n .

effect of p o w e r , as a p a r t of p o w e r , its s e l f - s u b v e r s i o n .

1 4

T h u s r e s i s t a n c e a p p e a r s a s the

I n t h u s r e d e s c r i b i n g the b o d y i n F o u c a u l t , I h a v e c l e a r l y

I n the t h e o r i z a t i o n o f resistance, a c e r t a i n p r o b l e m arises

w a n d e r e d into a psychoanalytic vocabulary of sublimation.

w h i c h c o n c e r n s p s y c h o a n a l y s i s a n d , b y i m p l i c a t i o n , the l i m i t s

W h i l e there, let me p o s e a q u e s t i o n to r e t u r n to the i s s u e of

o f s u b j e c t i v a t i o n . F o r F o u c a u l t , the subject w h o i s p r o d u c e d

s u b j e c t i o n a n d resistance. I f the b o d y i s s u b o r d i n a t e d a n d t o

t h r o u g h s u b j e c t i o n i s n o t p r o d u c e d a t a n i n s t a n t i n its t o t a l i t y .

s o m e extent d e s t r o y e d a s the d i s s o c i a t e d self emerges, a n d i f

Instead, i t i s i n the p r o c e s s o f b e i n g p r o d u c e d , i t i s repeat-

that e m e r g e n c e m i g h t b e r e a d a s the s u b l i m a t i o n o f the b o d y

e d l y p r o d u c e d ( w h i c h i s n o t the s a m e a s b e i n g p r o d u c e d

a n d the self b e r e a d a s the b o d y ' s g h o s t l y f o r m , t h e n i s there

a n e w a g a i n a n d again). It is p r e c i s e l y the p o s s i b i l i t y of a r e p e -

s o m e p a r t o f the b o d y w h i c h i s n o t p r e s e r v e d i n s u b l i m a t i o n ,

t i t i o n w h i c h d o e s n o t c o n s o l i d a t e that d i s s o c i a t e d u n i t y , the

s o m e p a r t o f the b o d y w h i c h r e m a i n s u n s u b l i m a t e d ?

subject, b u t w h i c h p r o l i f e r a t e s effects w h i c h u n d e r m i n e the

T h i s b o d i l y r e m a i n d e r , I w o u l d suggest, s u r v i v e s for s u c h a

force o f n o r m a l i z a t i o n . T h e t e r m w h i c h n o t o n l y n a m e s , b u t

subject i n the m o d e o f a l r e a d y , i f n o t a l w a y s , h a v i n g b e e n d e -

f o r m s a n d f r a m e s the s u b j e c t — l e t u s u s e F o u c a u l t ' s e x a m p l e

s t r o y e d , i n a k i n d o f c o n s t i t u t i v e loss. T h e b o d y i s n o t a site

of h o m o s e x u a l i t y — m o b i l i z e s a r e v e r s e d i s c o u r s e a g a i n s t the

on w h i c h a c o n s t r u c t i o n takes p l a c e ; it is a d e s t r u c t i o n on the

v e r y r e g i m e o f n o r m a l i z a t i o n b y w h i c h i t i s s p a w n e d . T h i s is,

o c c a s i o n o f w h i c h a subject i s f o r m e d . T h e f o r m a t i o n o f t h i s

o f c o u r s e , n o t a p u r e o p p o s i t i o n , for the s a m e " h o m o s e x u a l i t y "

subject i s a t o n c e the f r a m i n g , s u b o r d i n a t i o n , a n d r e g u l a t i o n o f

w i l l b e d e p l o y e d first i n the s e r v i c e o f n o r m a l i z i n g h e t e r o s e x u -

the b o d y , a n d the m o d e i n w h i c h that d e s t r u c t i o n i s p r e s e r v e d

a l i t y a n d s e c o n d i n the s e r v i c e o f its o w n d e p a t h o l o g i z a t i o n .

( i n the sense o f s u s t a i n e d a n d e m b a l m e d ) i n n o r m a l i z a t i o n .

T h i s t e r m w i l l c a r r y the r i s k o f the f o r m e r m e a n i n g i n the

If, t h e n , the b o d y i s n o w t o b e u n d e r s t o o d a s that w h i c h n o t

latter, b u t i t w o u l d b e a m i s t a k e t o t h i n k that s i m p l y b y s p e a k -

o n l y c o n s t i t u t e s the subject i n its d i s s o c i a t e d a n d s u b l i m a t e d

i n g the t e r m o n e e i t h e r t r a n s c e n d s h e t e r o s e x u a l n o r m a l i z a t i o n

state, b u t also exceeds o r resists a n y effort a t s u b l i m a t i o n , h o w

o r b e c o m e s its i n s t r u m e n t .

are w e t o u n d e r s t a n d t h i s b o d y that is, a s i t w e r e , n e g a t e d o r

T h e r i s k o f r e n o r m a l i z a t i o n i s p e r s i s t e n t l y there: c o n s i d e r

r e p r e s s e d s o that the subject m i g h t l i v e ? O n e m i g h t e x p e c t

the o n e w h o i n d e f i a n t " o u t n e s s " d e c l a r e s h i s / h e r h o m o s e x u -

the b o d y t o r e t u r n i n a n o n - n o r m a l i z a b l e w i l d n e s s , a n d there

a l i t y o n l y t o r e c e i v e the r e s p o n s e , " A h yes, s o y o u are that, a n d

are o f c o u r s e m o m e n t s i n F o u c a u l t w h e n s o m e t h i n g l i k e that

o n l y that." W h a t e v e r y o u say w i l l b e r e a d b a c k a s a n o v e r t

h a p p e n s . B u t m o r e o f t e n t h a n n o t , i n F o u c a u l t the p o s s i b i l i t y

or subtle manifestation of y o u r essential homosexuality. (One

of s u b v e r s i o n or r e s i s t a n c e a p p e a r s (a) in the c o u r s e of a s u b -

should not underestimate h o w exhausting it is to be expected

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t o b e a n " o u t " h o m o s e x u a l a l l the t i m e , w h e t h e r the e x p e c -

a n d s i m p l e , o r d o e s "the b o d y " c o m e t o s t a n d for a c e r t a i n

t a t i o n c o m e s f r o m g a y a n d l e s b i a n a l l i e s o r t h e i r foes.) H e r e

o p e r a t i o n o f the p s y c h e , o n e w h i c h i s d i s t i n c t l y different, i f n o t

F o u c a u l t cites a n d r e w o r k s the p o s s i b i l i t y o f r e s i g n i f i c a t i o n , o f

d i r e c t l y o p p o s e d to, the s o u l f i g u r e d a s a n i m p r i s o n i n g effect?

m o b i l i z i n g p o l i t i c a l l y w h a t N i e t z s c h e , in On the Genealogy of

P e r h a p s F o u c a u l t h i m s e l f h a s i n v e s t e d the b o d y w i t h a p s y -

Morals, c a l l e d the " s i g n c h a i n . " T h e r e N i e t z s c h e a r g u e s that the

c h i c m e a n i n g that h e c a n n o t elaborate w i t h i n the t e r m s that h e

uses t o w h i c h a g i v e n s i g n i s o r i g i n a l l y p u t are " w o r l d s a p a r t "

uses. H o w does the p r o c e s s o f s u b j e c t i v a t i o n , the d i s c i p l i n a r y

f r o m the uses t o w h i c h i t t h e n b e c o m e s a v a i l a b l e . T h i s t e m p o -

p r o d u c t i o n o f the subject, b r e a k d o w n , i f i t does, i n b o t h F o u -

r a l g a p b e t w e e n usages p r o d u c e s the p o s s i b i l i t y o f a r e v e r s a l

c a u l t i a n a n d p s y c h o a n a l y t i c t h e o r y ? W h e n c e does that f a i l u r e

o f s i g n i f i c a t i o n , b u t a l s o o p e n s the w a y for a n i n a u g u r a t i o n

e m e r g e , a n d w h a t are its c o n s e q u e n c e s ?

o f s i g n i f y i n g p o s s i b i l i t i e s that e x c e e d t h o s e t o w h i c h the t e r m has b e e n p r e v i o u s l y b o u n d .

C o n s i d e r the A l t h u s s e r i a n n o t i o n o f i n t e r p e l l a t i o n , i n w h i c h a subject i s c o n s t i t u t e d b y b e i n g h a i l e d , a d d r e s s e d , n a m e d .

1 5

T h e F o u c a u l t i a n subject i s n e v e r f u l l y c o n s t i t u t e d i n subjec-

F o r the m o s t p a r t , i t seems, A l t h u s s e r b e l i e v e d that t h i s s o c i a l

tion, then; it is repeatedly constituted in subjection, a n d it is

d e m a n d — o n e might call it a symbolic injunction—actually

i n the p o s s i b i l i t y o f a r e p e t i t i o n that repeats a g a i n s t its o r i g i n

p r o d u c e d the k i n d s o f subjects i t n a m e d . H e g i v e s the e x a m p l e

that s u b j e c t i o n m i g h t b e u n d e r s t o o d t o d r a w its i n a d v e r t e n t l y

o f the p o l i c e m a n o n the street y e l l i n g " H e y y o u there!," a n d

enabling power. F r o m a psychoanalytic perspective, however,

c o n c l u d e s that t h i s c a l l i m p o r t a n t l y c o n s t i t u t e s the o n e i t a d -

w e m i g h t ask w h e t h e r t h i s p o s s i b i l i t y o f r e s i s t a n c e t o a c o n -

dresses a n d sites. T h e scene is c l e a r l y a d i s c i p l i n a r y o n e ; the

stituting or subjectivating p o w e r can be derived from what is

p o l i c e m a n ' s c a l l i s a n effort t o b r i n g s o m e o n e b a c k i n l i n e . Yet

" i n " o r "of" d i s c o u r s e . W h a t c a n w e m a k e o f the w a y i n w h i c h

w e m i g h t a l s o u n d e r s t a n d i t i n L a c a n i a n t e r m s a s the c a l l o f

d i s c o u r s e s n o t o n l y c o n s t i t u t e the d o m a i n s o f the s p e a k a b l e ,

s y m b o l i c constitution. A s A l t h u s s e r himself insists, this per-

b u t are t h e m s e l v e s b o u n d e d t h r o u g h the p r o d u c t i o n o f a c o n -

f o r m a t i v e effort o f n a m i n g c a n o n l y attempt t o b r i n g its a d -

s t i t u t i v e o u t s i d e : the u n s p e a k a b l e , the u n s i g n i f i a b l e ?

dressee i n t o b e i n g : there is a l w a y s the r i s k of a c e r t a i n misrecog-

F r o m a Lacanian perspective,

one m i g h t w e l l question

nition. If o n e m i s r e c o g n i z e s that effort to p r o d u c e the subject,

w h e t h e r the effects o f the p s y c h e c a n b e s a i d t o b e e x h a u s t e d

the p r o d u c t i o n itself falters. T h e o n e w h o i s h a i l e d m a y f a i l t o

i n w h a t c a n b e s i g n i f i e d o r w h e t h e r there i s n o t , o v e r a n d

hear, m i s r e a d the c a l l , t u r n the o t h e r w a y , a n s w e r t o a n o t h e r

against t h i s s i g n i f y i n g b o d y , a d o m a i n o f the p s y c h e w h i c h

n a m e , i n s i s t o n n o t b e i n g a d d r e s s e d i n that w a y . I n d e e d , the

contests l e g i b i l i t y . If, a c c o r d i n g to p s y c h o a n a l y s i s , the subject

d o m a i n o f the i m a g i n a r y i s d e m a r c a t e d b y A l t h u s s e r a s p r e -

i s n o t the s a m e a s the p s y c h e f r o m w h i c h i t e m e r g e s a n d if, f o r

c i s e l y the d o m a i n that m a k e s misrecognition p o s s i b l e . T h e n a m e

F o u c a u l t , the subject i s n o t the s a m e a s the b o d y f r o m w h i c h i t

is called, a n d I am sure it is my name, but it isn't. The name

emerges, t h e n p e r h a p s the b o d y has c o m e t o s u b s t i t u t e for the

i s c a l l e d , a n d I a m s u r e that a n a m e i s b e i n g c a l l e d , m y n a m e ,

p s y c h e i n F o u c a u l t — t h a t is, a s that w h i c h exceeds a n d c o n -

but it is in someone's incomprehensible speech, or worse, it is

f o u n d s the i n j u n c t i o n s of n o r m a l i z a t i o n . Is t h i s a b o d y p u r e

someone c o u g h i n g , or worse, a radiator w h i c h for a m o m e n t

Subjection, Resistance, Resignification

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a p p r o x i m a t e s a h u m a n v o i c e . O r I a m s u r e that n o one has

s i b i l i t y o f the d i s c u r s i v e — t h a t is, s y m b o l i c — c o n s t i t u t i o n o f

n o t i c e d m y t r a n s g r e s s i o n , a n d that i t i s n o t m y n a m e that i s

i d e n t i t y . I d e n t i t y c a n n e v e r b e f u l l y t o t a l i z e d b y the s y m b o l i c ,

b e i n g c a l l e d , b u t o n l y a c o u g h i n g passerby, the h i g h p i t c h o f

for w h a t i t fails t o o r d e r w i l l e m e r g e w i t h i n the i m a g i n a r y a s

the h e a t i n g m e c h a n i s m — b u t i t i s m y n a m e , a n d yet I d o n o t

a d i s o r d e r , a site w h e r e i d e n t i t y is c o n t e s t e d .

r e c o g n i z e m y s e l f i n the subject that the n a m e , a t t h i s m o m e n t , installs.

H e n c e , i n a L a c a n i a n v e i n , J a c q u e l i n e R o s e f o r m u l a t e s the u n c o n s c i o u s a s that w h i c h t h w a r t s a n y effort o f the s y m b o l i c

16

C o n s i d e r the force o f t h i s d y n a m i c o f i n t e r p e l l a t i o n a n d

to constitute sexed identity coherently a n d fully, an u n c o n -

m i s r e c o g n i t i o n w h e n the n a m e i s n o t a p r o p e r n a m e b u t a

s c i o u s i n d i c a t e d b y the s l i p s a n d g a p s that c h a r a c t e r i z e the

a n d hence a signifier capable of b e i n g inter-

w o r k i n g s of the i m a g i n a r y in l a n g u a g e . I q u o t e a passage

preted in a n u m b e r of divergent a n d conflictual ways. To be

w h i c h has b e n e f i t t e d m a n y o f u s w h o h a v e s o u g h t t o f i n d

hailed as a " w o m a n " or "Jew" or "queer" or "Black" or " C h i -

in psychoanalysis a p r i n c i p l e of resistance to g i v e n forms of

cana" may be heard or interpreted as an affirmation or an

social reality:

social category,

17

i n s u l t , d e p e n d i n g o n the c o n t e x t i n w h i c h the h a i l i n g o c c u r s ( w h e r e context i s the effective h i s t o r i c i t y a n d s p a t i a l i t y o f the s i g n ) . I f that n a m e i s c a l l e d , there i s m o r e o f t e n t h a n n o t s o m e h e s i t a t i o n a b o u t w h e t h e r o r h o w t o r e s p o n d , for w h a t i s a t stake i s w h e t h e r the t e m p o r a r y t o t a l i z a t i o n p e r f o r m e d b y the n a m e i s p o l i t i c a l l y e n a b l i n g o r p a r a l y z i n g , w h e t h e r the f o r e c l o s u r e , i n d e e d the v i o l e n c e , o f the t o t a l i z i n g r e d u c t i o n o f i d e n t i t y p e r f o r m e d b y that p a r t i c u l a r h a i l i n g i s p o l i t i c a l l y strategic o r r e g r e s s i v e or, i f p a r a l y z i n g a n d regressive, also e n abling in some way. T h e A l t h u s s e r i a n u s e o f L a c a n centers o n the f u n c t i o n o f the

The unconscious constantly reveals the "failure" of identity. Because there is no continuity of psychic life, so there is no stability of sexual identity, no position for w o m e n (or for men) w h i c h is ever simply achieved. N o r does psychoanalysis see such "failure" as a specialcase inability or an i n d i v i d u a l deviancy from the norm. "Failure" is not a moment to be regretted in a process of adaptation, or development into normality,. . . "failure" is something endlessly repeated and relived moment by moment throughout our i n d i v i d u a l histories. It appears not only in the symptom, but also in dreams, in slips of the tongue and in forms of sexual pleasure w h i c h are pushed to the sidelines of the norm. . . . there is a resistance to identity at the very heart of psychic life. 18

i m a g i n a r y as the p e r m a n e n t p o s s i b i l i t y of misrecognition, that is, the i n c o m m e n s u r a b i l i t y b e t w e e n s y m b o l i c d e m a n d (the

In Discipline and Punish, F o u c a u l t p r e s u m e s the efficacy of

n a m e that i s i n t e r p e l l a t e d ) a n d the i n s t a b i l i t y a n d u n p r e d i c t -

the s y m b o l i c d e m a n d , its p e r f o r m a t i v e c a p a c i t y t o c o n s t i t u t e

a b i l i t y of its a p p r o p r i a t i o n . If the i n t e r p e l l a t e d n a m e seeks to

the subject w h o m it n a m e s . In The History of Sexuality, Vol-

a c c o m p l i s h the i d e n t i t y to w h i c h it refers, it b e g i n s as a p e r -

ume l, h o w e v e r , there is b o t h a r e j e c t i o n of "a s i n g l e l o c u s

f o r m a t i v e p r o c e s s w h i c h i s n e v e r t h e l e s s d e r a i l e d i n the i m a g i -

o f R e v o l t " — w h i c h w o u l d p r e s u m a b l y i n c l u d e the p s y c h e , the

n a r y , f o r the i m a g i n a r y i s s u r e l y p r e o c c u p i e d w i t h the l a w ,

i m a g i n a r y , o r the u n c o n s c i o u s w i t h i n its p u r v i e w — a n d a n

s t r u c t u r e d b y the l a w , b u t does n o t i m m e d i a t e l y o b e y the law.

affirmation of m u l t i p l e possibilities of resistance enabled by

F o r the L a c a n i a n , t h e n , the i m a g i n a r y s i g n i f i e s the i m p o s -

p o w e r itself. F o r F o u c a u l t , r e s i s t a n c e c a n n o t b e outside the l a w

98

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i n a n o t h e r r e g i s t e r (the i m a g i n a r y ) o r i n that w h i c h e l u d e s the

p o w e r a n d u n d e r s t a n d s r e s i s t a n c e a s a n effect o f p o w e r . F o u -

c o n s t i t u t i v e p o w e r o f the l a w .

c a u l t ' s c o n c e p t i o n i n i t i a t e s a shift f r o m a d i s c o u r s e o n l a w , c o n -

there is no single locus of great Refusal, no soul of revolt, source of all rebellions, or pure law of the revolutionary. Instead there is a p l u rality of resistances, each of them a special case: resistances that are possible, necessary, improbable; others that are spontaneous, savage, solitary, concerted, rampant, or violent; still others that are quick to compromise, interested, or sacrificial; by definition, they can only exist in the strategic field of power relations. But this does not mean that they are only a reaction or rebound, forming w i t h respect to the basic domination an underside that is in the end always passive, doomed to perpetual defeat. 19

c e i v e d a s j u r i d i c a l ( a n d p r e s u p p o s i n g a subject s u b o r d i n a t e d by power), to a discourse on power, w h i c h is a field of p r o d u c t i v e , r e g u l a t o r y , a n d c o n t e s t a t o r y r e l a t i o n s . F o r F o u c a u l t , the s y m b o l i c p r o d u c e s the p o s s i b i l i t y o f its o w n s u b v e r s i o n s , a n d these s u b v e r s i o n s are u n a n t i c i p a t e d effects o f s y m b o l i c i n t e r pellations. T h e n o t i o n o f "the s y m b o l i c " d o e s n o t a d d r e s s the m u l t i p l i c i t y o f p o w e r v e c t o r s u p o n w h i c h F o u c a u l t i n s i s t s , for p o w e r i n F o u c a u l t n o t o n l y c o n s i s t s i n the r e i t e r a t e d e l a b o r a tion of norms or interpellating demands, but is formative or

T h i s last c a r i c a t u r e o f p o w e r , a l t h o u g h c l e a r l y w r i t t e n w i t h

productive, malleable, multiple, proliferative, a n d conflictual.

M a r c u s e i n m i n d , r e c a l l s the effect o f the L a c a n i a n l a w , w h i c h

M o r e o v e r , i n its r e s i g n i f i c a t i o n s , the l a w itself i s t r a n s m u t e d

p r o d u c e s its o w n " f a i l u r e " a t the l e v e l o f the p s y c h e , b u t w h i c h

i n t o that w h i c h o p p o s e s a n d exceeds its o r i g i n a l p u r p o s e s . I n

c a n n e v e r b e d i s p l a c e d o r r e f o r m u l a t e d b y that p s y c h i c r e -

t h i s sense, d i s c i p l i n a r y d i s c o u r s e d o e s n o t u n i l a t e r a l l y c o n s t i -

sistance. T h e i m a g i n a r y t h w a r t s the efficacy o f the s y m b o l i c

tute a subject in F o u c a u l t , or rather, if it does, it simultaneously

l a w b u t c a n n o t t u r n b a c k u p o n the l a w , d e m a n d i n g o r effect-

c o n s t i t u t e s the c o n d i t i o n for the subject's d e - c o n s t i t u t i o n .

i n g its r e f o r m u l a t i o n . I n t h i s sense, p s y c h i c r e s i s t a n c e t h w a r t s

W h a t i s b r o u g h t i n t o b e i n g t h r o u g h the p e r f o r m a t i v e effect o f

the l a w i n its effects, b u t c a n n o t r e d i r e c t the l a w o r its effects.

the i n t e r p e l l a t i n g d e m a n d i s m u c h m o r e t h a n a "subject," f o r

R e s i s t a n c e i s t h u s l o c a t e d i n a d o m a i n that i s v i r t u a l l y p o w e r -

the "subject" c r e a t e d i s n o t for that r e a s o n f i x e d i n p l a c e : i t

less t o alter the l a w that i t o p p o s e s . H e n c e , p s y c h i c r e s i s t a n c e

b e c o m e s the o c c a s i o n for a f u r t h e r m a k i n g . I n d e e d , I w o u l d

p r e s u m e s the c o n t i n u a t i o n o f the l a w i n its a n t e r i o r , s y m b o l i c

a d d , a subject o n l y r e m a i n s a subject t h r o u g h a r e i t e r a t i o n or

f o r m a n d , i n that sense, c o n t r i b u t e s t o its status q u o . I n s u c h a

r e a r t i c u l a t i o n of itself as a subject, a n d t h i s d e p e n d e n c y of the

v i e w , r e s i s t a n c e a p p e a r s d o o m e d t o p e r p e t u a l defeat.

subject o n r e p e t i t i o n for c o h e r e n c e m a y c o n s t i t u t e that s u b -

I n c o n t r a s t , F o u c a u l t f o r m u l a t e s r e s i s t a n c e a s a n effect o f

ject's i n c o h e r e n c e , its i n c o m p l e t e character. T h i s r e p e t i t i o n or,

the v e r y p o w e r that i t i s s a i d t o o p p o s e . T h i s i n s i s t e n c e o n

better, i t e r a b i l i t y t h u s b e c o m e s the n o n - p l a c e o f s u b v e r s i o n ,

the d u a l p o s s i b i l i t y o f b e i n g b o t h constituted b y the l a w a n d

the p o s s i b i l i t y o f a r e - e m b o d y i n g o f the s u b j e c t i v a t i n g n o r m

an effect of resistance to the l a w m a r k s a d e p a r t u r e f r o m the

that c a n r e d i r e c t its n o r m a t i v i t y .

L a c a n i a n f r a m e w o r k , f o r w h e r e L a c a n r e s t r i c t s the n o t i o n o f

C o n s i d e r the i n v e r s i o n s o f " w o m a n " a n d " w o m a n , " d e -

s o c i a l p o w e r t o the s y m b o l i c d o m a i n a n d delegates r e s i s t a n c e

p e n d i n g o n the s t a g i n g a n d a d d r e s s o f t h e i r p e r f o r m a n c e , o f

to the i m a g i n a r y , F o u c a u l t recasts the s y m b o l i c as r e l a t i o n s of

" q u e e r " a n d "queer," d e p e n d i n g o n p a t h o l o g i z i n g o r contes-

100

Subjection, Resistance, Resignification

T

Between

Freud

and

Foucault

101

tatory modes. B o t h examples concern, not an o p p o s i t i o n be-

o f s u b j e c t i v i t y f o r m e d i n a n d against the h i s t o r i c a l h e g e m o n y

t w e e n r e a c t i o n a r y a n d p r o g r e s s i v e usage, b u t r a t h e r a p r o -

of the j u r i d i c a l subject:

g r e s s i v e u s a g e that r e q u i r e s a n d r e p e a t s the r e a c t i o n a r y i n o r d e r to effect a s u b v e r s i v e r e t e r r i t o r i a l i z a t i o n . F o r F o u c a u l t , t h e n , the d i s c i p l i n a r y a p p a r a t u s p r o d u c e s subjects, b u t as a c o n s e q u e n c e o f that p r o d u c t i o n , i t b r i n g s i n t o d i s c o u r s e the c o n d i t i o n s for s u b v e r t i n g that a p p a r a t u s itself. I n o t h e r w o r d s , the l a w t u r n s a g a i n s t itself a n d s p a w n s v e r s i o n s o f itself w h i c h o p p o s e a n d p r o l i f e r a t e its a n i m a t i n g p u r p o s e s . T h e strategic q u e s t i o n for F o u c a u l t is, t h e n , h o w c a n w e w o r k the p o w e r r e l a t i o n s b y w h i c h w e are w o r k e d , a n d i n w h a t d i r e c t i o n ? I n h i s later i n t e r v i e w s , F o u c a u l t suggests that i d e n t i t i e s are

Maybe the target nowadays is not to discover what we are, but to refuse what we are. We have to imagine and b u i l d up what we could be to get r i d of this k i n d of political "double b i n d , " w h i c h is the simultaneous individualization and totalization of modern power structures. . . . The conclusion w o u l d be that the political, ethical, social, philosophical problem of our days is not to try to liberate us both from the state, and from the state's institutions, but to liberate us from the state and the type of individualization w h i c h is linked to the state. We have to promote new forms of subjectivity through the refusal of this k i n d of individuality w h i c h has been imposed on us for several centuries. 20

formed w i t h i n contemporary political arrangements in relat i o n t o c e r t a i n r e q u i r e m e n t s o f the l i b e r a l state, ones w h i c h

T w o sets o f q u e s t i o n s e m e r g e f r o m the a b o v e a n a l y s i s . F i r s t ,

p r e s u m e that the a s s e r t i o n o f r i g h t s a n d c l a i m s t o e n t i t l e m e n t

w h y c a n F o u c a u l t f o r m u l a t e r e s i s t a n c e i n r e l a t i o n t o the d i s c i -

c a n o n l y b e m a d e o n the basis o f a s i n g u l a r a n d i n j u r e d i d e n -

p l i n a r y p o w e r of s e x u a l i t y in The History of Sexuality, w h e r e a s

tity. T h e m o r e specific i d e n t i t i e s b e c o m e , the m o r e t o t a l i z e d

in Discipline and Punish d i s c i p l i n a r y p o w e r a p p e a r s to deter-

a n i d e n t i t y b e c o m e s b y that v e r y s p e c i f i c i t y . I n d e e d , w e m i g h t

m i n e d o c i l e b o d i e s i n c a p a b l e o f resistance? I s there s o m e t h i n g

u n d e r s t a n d t h i s c o n t e m p o r a r y p h e n o m e n o n a s the m o v e m e n t

a b o u t the r e l a t i o n s h i p of sexuality to p o w e r that c o n d i t i o n s the

b y w h i c h a j u r i d i c a l a p p a r a t u s p r o d u c e s the f i e l d o f p o s s i b l e

p o s s i b i l i t y o f r e s i s t a n c e i n the f i r s t text, a n d a n o t e d absence

p o l i t i c a l subjects. B e c a u s e for F o u c a u l t the d i s c i p l i n a r y a p p a -

o f a c o n s i d e r a t i o n o f s e x u a l i t y f r o m the d i s c u s s i o n o f p o w e r

r a t u s o f the state operates t h r o u g h the t o t a l i z i n g p r o d u c t i o n

a n d b o d i e s in the s e c o n d ? N o t e that in the History of Sexuality

o f i n d i v i d u a l s , a n d b e c a u s e t h i s t o t a l i z a t i o n o f the i n d i v i d u a l

the r e p r e s s i v e f u n c t i o n o f the l a w i s u n d e r m i n e d p r e c i s e l y

e x t e n d s the j u r i s d i c t i o n o f the state (i.e., b y t r a n s f o r m i n g i n d i -

t h r o u g h b e c o m i n g itself the object o f e r o t i c i n v e s t m e n t a n d ex-

v i d u a l s i n t o subjects o f the state), F o u c a u l t w i l l c a l l for a r e -

c i t a t i o n . D i s c i p l i n a r y a p p a r a t u s fails t o r e p r e s s s e x u a l i t y p r e -

m a k i n g o f s u b j e c t i v i t y b e y o n d the s h a c k l e s o f the j u r i d i c a l law.

c i s e l y b e c a u s e the a p p a r a t u s i s itself e r o t i c i z e d , b e c o m i n g the

I n t h i s sense, w h a t w e c a l l i d e n t i t y p o l i t i c s i s p r o d u c e d b y a

o c c a s i o n for the incitement of sexuality a n d , therefore, u n d o i n g

state w h i c h c a n o n l y a l l o c a t e r e c o g n i t i o n a n d r i g h t s t o s u b jects t o t a l i z e d b y the p a r t i c u l a r i t y that c o n s t i t u t e s t h e i r p l a i n tiff status. I n c a l l i n g for a n o v e r t h r o w , a s i t w e r e , o f s u c h a n a r r a n g e m e n t , F o u c a u l t i s n o t c a l l i n g f o r the release o f a h i d d e n o r r e p r e s s e d s u b j e c t i v i t y , b u t rather, for a r a d i c a l m a k i n g

its o w n r e p r e s s i v e a i m s . Second, w i t h this transferable p r o p e r t y of sexual investm e n t s i n m i n d , w e m i g h t ask w h a t c o n d i t i o n s the p o s s i b i l i t y F o u c a u l t i n v i t e s , that o f r e f u s i n g the t y p e o f i n d i v i d u a l i t y c o r r e l a t e d w i t h the d i s c i p l i n a r y a p p a r a t u s o f the m o d e r n state?

r 102

Subjection, Resistance, Resignification

Between Freud and Foucault

103

A n d h o w d o w e a c c o u n t for attachment t o p r e c i s e l y the k i n d

r e s i d u e o f d e s i r e , the effect o f i n c o r p o r a t i o n s w h i c h , F r e u d ar-

o f s t a t e - l i n k e d i n d i v i d u a l i t y that r e c o n s o l i d a t e s the j u r i d i c a l

gues in The Ego and the Id, trace a l i n e a g e of a t t a c h m e n t a n d

l a w ? T o w h a t extent h a s the d i s c i p l i n a r y a p p a r a t u s that at-

loss.

tempts to produce a n d totalize identity become an abiding

I n F r e u d ' s v i e w , the f o r m a t i o n o f c o n s c i e n c e enacts a n at-

object o f p a s s i o n a t e a t t a c h m e n t ? W e c a n n o t s i m p l y t h r o w off

t a c h m e n t t o p r o h i b i t i o n w h i c h f o u n d s the subject i n its reflex-

the i d e n t i t i e s w e h a v e b e c o m e , a n d F o u c a u l t ' s c a l l t o " r e f u s e "

i v i t y . U n d e r the p r e s s u r e of the e t h i c a l l a w , a subject e m e r g e s

those i d e n t i t i e s w i l l c e r t a i n l y b e m e t w i t h resistance. I f w e r e -

w h o i s c a p a b l e o f r e f l e x i v i t y , that is, w h o takes h i m / h e r s e l f

ject t h e o r e t i c a l l y the s o u r c e o f r e s i s t a n c e i n a p s y c h i c d o m a i n

a s a n object, a n d s o m i s t a k e s h i m / h e r s e l f , s i n c e he/she is, b y

that i s s a i d t o p r e c e d e o r e x c e e d the s o c i a l ,

as we must, can

v i r t u e o f that f o u n d i n g p r o h i b i t i o n , a t a n i n f i n i t e d i s t a n c e f r o m

we r e f o r m u l a t e p s y c h i c r e s i s t a n c e in terms of the social w i t h o u t

h i s / h e r o r i g i n . O n l y o n the c o n d i t i o n o f a s e p a r a t i o n e n f o r c e d

that r e f o r m u l a t i o n b e c o m i n g a d o m e s t i c a t i o n o r n o r m a l i z a -

t h r o u g h p r o h i b i t i o n d o e s a subject e m e r g e , f o r m e d t h r o u g h

t i o n ? ( M u s t the s o c i a l a l w a y s b e e q u a t e d w i t h the g i v e n a n d

the a t t a c h m e n t t o p r o h i b i t i o n ( i n o b e d i e n c e t o i t , b u t a l s o e r o t i -

the n o r m a l i z a b l e ? ) I n p a r t i c u l a r , h o w are w e t o u n d e r s t a n d ,

c i z i n g it). A n d t h i s p r o h i b i t i o n i s a l l the m o r e s a v o r y p r e c i s e l y

n o t m e r e l y the d i s c i p l i n a r y p r o d u c t i o n o f the subject, b u t the

b e c a u s e i t i s b o u n d u p i n the n a r c i s s i s t i c c i r c u i t that w a r d s off

d i s c i p l i n a r y c u l t i v a t i o n of an attachment to subjection?

the d i s s o l u t i o n o f the subject i n t o p s y c h o s i s .

21

22

S u c h a p o s t u l a t i o n m a y raise the q u e s t i o n o f m a s o c h i s m —

F o r F o u c a u l t , a subject i s f o r m e d a n d t h e n i n v e s t e d w i t h a

i n d e e d , the q u e s t i o n o f m a s o c h i s m i n s u b j e c t - f o r m a t i o n — y e t

s e x u a l i t y by a r e g i m e of p o w e r . If the v e r y p r o c e s s of subject-

i t d o e s n o t a n s w e r the q u e s t i o n o f the status o f " a t t a c h m e n t "

f o r m a t i o n , h o w e v e r , r e q u i r e s a p r e e m p t i o n of s e x u a l i t y , a

o r " i n v e s t m e n t . " H e r e e m e r g e s the g r a m m a t i c a l p r o b l e m b y

f o u n d i n g p r o h i b i t i o n that p r o h i b i t s a c e r t a i n d e s i r e b u t itself

w h i c h a n a t t a c h m e n t a p p e a r s t o p r e c e d e the subject w h o

b e c o m e s a f o c u s of d e s i r e , t h e n a subject is f o r m e d t h r o u g h the

m i g h t b e s a i d t o " h a v e " it. Yet i t s e e m s c r u c i a l t o s u s p e n d the

p r o h i b i t i o n of a s e x u a l i t y , a p r o h i b i t i o n that at the s a m e t i m e

usual grammatical requirements a n d consider an inversion of

f o r m s t h i s s e x u a l i t y — a n d the subject w h o i s s a i d t o b e a r it.

t e r m s s u c h that c e r t a i n a t t a c h m e n t s p r e c e d e a n d c o n d i t i o n the

T h i s v i e w d i s p u t e s the F o u c a u l t i a n n o t i o n that p s y c h o a n a l y s i s

f o r m a t i o n o f subjects (the v i s u a l i z a t i o n o f l i b i d o i n the m i r r o r

p r e s u m e s the e x t e r i o r i t y o f the l a w t o d e s i r e , f o r i t m a i n t a i n s

stage, the s u s t a i n i n g o f that p r o j e c t e d i m a g e t h r o u g h t i m e a s

that there i s n o d e s i r e w i t h o u t the l a w that f o r m s a n d s u s -

the d i s c u r s i v e f u n c t i o n o f the n a m e ) . I s t h i s t h e n a n o n t o l o g y

t a i n s the v e r y d e s i r e i t p r o h i b i t s . I n d e e d , p r o h i b i t i o n b e c o m e s

o f l i b i d o o r i n v e s t m e n t that i s i n s o m e sense p r i o r t o a n d sepa-

a n o d d f o r m o f p r e s e r v a t i o n , a w a y o f e r o t i c i z i n g the l a w that

r a b l e f r o m a subject, o r i s e v e r y s u c h i n v e s t m e n t f r o m the start

w o u l d abolish eroticism, but w h i c h only works by compelling

b o u n d u p w i t h a r e f l e x i v i t y that i s s t a b i l i z e d ( w i t h i n the i m a g i -

e r o t i c i z a t i o n . In t h i s sense, a " s e x u a l i d e n t i t y " is a p r o d u c t i v e

n a r y ) as the ego? If the ego is c o m p o s e d of i d e n t i f i c a t i o n s , a n d

contradiction in terms, for identity is f o r m e d t h r o u g h a p r o -

i d e n t i f i c a t i o n is the r e s o l u t i o n of d e s i r e , t h e n the ego is the

h i b i t i o n o n s o m e d i m e n s i o n o f the v e r y s e x u a l i t y i t i s s a i d t o

104

Subjection, Resistance, Resignification

Between Freud and Foucault

105

bear, a n d s e x u a l i t y , w h e n i t i s t i e d t o i d e n t i t y , i s a l w a y s i n

i d e n t i t y t h r o u g h i n j u r y . T h i s i s n o t the s a m e a s s a y i n g that

s o m e sense u n d e r c u t t i n g itself.

s u c h a n i d e n t i t y w i l l r e m a i n a l w a y s a n d f o r e v e r r o o t e d i n its

T h i s is n o t n e c e s s a r i l y a static c o n t r a d i c t i o n , f o r the s i g n i -

i n j u r y a s l o n g a s i t r e m a i n s a n i d e n t i t y , b u t i t does i m p l y that

fiers o f i d e n t i t y are n o t s t r u c t u r a l l y d e t e r m i n e d i n a d v a n c e . I f

the p o s s i b i l i t i e s o f r e s i g n i f i c a t i o n w i l l r e w o r k a n d u n s e t t l e the

F o u c a u l t c o u l d a r g u e that a s i g n c o u l d b e t a k e n u p , u s e d f o r

p a s s i o n a t e a t t a c h m e n t t o s u b j e c t i o n w i t h o u t w h i c h subject for-

p u r p o s e s c o u n t e r t o t h o s e for w h i c h i t w a s d e s i g n e d , t h e n h e

m a t i o n — a n d r e - f o r m a t i o n — c a n n o t succeed.

u n d e r s t o o d that e v e n the m o s t n o x i o u s t e r m s c o u l d b e o w n e d , that the m o s t i n j u r i o u s i n t e r p e l l a t i o n s c o u l d also b e the site o f r a d i c a l r e o c c u p a t i o n a n d r e s i g n i f i c a t i o n . B u t w h a t lets u s o c c u p y the d i s c u r s i v e site o f i n j u r y ? H o w are w e a n i m a t e d a n d m o b i l i z e d b y that d i s c u r s i v e site a n d its i n j u r y , s u c h that o u r v e r y a t t a c h m e n t t o i t b e c o m e s the c o n d i t i o n for o u r r e s i g n i f i c a t i o n o f it? C a l l e d b y a n i n j u r i o u s n a m e , I c o m e i n t o s o c i a l b e i n g , a n d b e c a u s e I h a v e a c e r t a i n i n e v i t a b l e attachm e n t t o m y existence, b e c a u s e a c e r t a i n n a r c i s s i s m takes h o l d o f a n y t e r m that confers existence, I a m l e d t o e m b r a c e the t e r m s that i n j u r e m e b e c a u s e t h e y c o n s t i t u t e m e s o c i a l l y . T h e s e l f - c o l o n i z i n g trajectory o f c e r t a i n f o r m s o f i d e n t i t y p o l i t i c s are s y m p t o m a t i c o f this p a r a d o x i c a l e m b r a c e o f the i n j u r i o u s term. As a further paradox, then, only by o c c u p y i n g — b e i n g o c c u p i e d b y — t h a t i n j u r i o u s t e r m c a n I resist a n d o p p o s e i t , r e c a s t i n g the p o w e r that c o n s t i t u t e s me as the p o w e r I o p p o s e . I n t h i s w a y , a c e r t a i n p l a c e for p s y c h o a n a l y s i s i s s e c u r e d i n that a n y m o b i l i z a t i o n against s u b j e c t i o n w i l l t a k e s u b j e c t i o n a s its r e s o u r c e , a n d that a t t a c h m e n t t o a n i n j u r i o u s i n t e r p e l l a tion w i l l , by w a y of a necessarily alienated narcissism, become the c o n d i t i o n u n d e r w h i c h r e s i g n i f y i n g that i n t e r p e l l a t i o n b e comes possible. This w i l l not be an unconscious outside of p o w e r , b u t rather s o m e t h i n g l i k e the u n c o n s c i o u s o f p o w e r itself, i n its t r a u m a t i c a n d p r o d u c t i v e i t e r a b i l i t y . If, t h e n , w e u n d e r s t a n d c e r t a i n k i n d s o f i n t e r p e l l a t i o n s t o c o n f e r i d e n t i t y , those i n j u r i o u s i n t e r p e l l a t i o n s w i l l c o n s t i t u t e

Althusser's

107

Subjection

event, b u t a c e r t a i n w a y of staging the call, w h e r e the c a l l , as staged, b e c o m e s d e l i t e r a l i z e d i n the c o u r s e o f its e x p o s i t i o n o r darstellung. T h e c a l l itself is a l s o f i g u r e d as a d e m a n d to a l i g n oneself w i t h the l a w , a t u r n i n g a r o u n d (to face the l a w , t o f i n d

'Conscience Doth Make Subjects of Us A l l " Althusser's

Subjection

a face for the l a w ? ) , a n d an e n t r a n c e i n t o the l a n g u a g e of selfa s c r i p t i o n — " H e r e I a m " — t h r o u g h the a p p r o p r i a t i o n o f g u i l t . W h y d o e s subject f o r m a t i o n a p p e a r t o t a k e p l a c e o n l y u p o n the a c c e p t a n c e o f g u i l t , s o that there i s n o " I " w h o m i g h t asc r i b e a p l a c e t o itself, w h o m i g h t b e a n n o u n c e d i n s p e e c h , w i t h o u t first a s e l f - a t t r i b u t i o n of g u i l t , a s u b m i s s i o n to the l a w t h r o u g h a n a c c e p t a n c e o f its d e m a n d for c o n f o r m i t y ? T h e o n e w h o t u r n s a r o u n d i n r e s p o n s e t o the c a l l does n o t r e s p o n d t o a d e m a n d t o t u r n a r o u n d . T h e t u r n i n g a r o u n d i s a n act that

A l t h u s s e r ' s d o c t r i n e of i n t e r p e l l a t i o n c o n t i n u e s to s t r u c t u r e

is, a s i t w e r e , c o n d i t i o n e d b o t h b y the " v o i c e " o f the l a w a n d

c o n t e m p o r a r y debate o n subject f o r m a t i o n , o f f e r i n g a

b y the r e s p o n s i v e n e s s o f the o n e h a i l e d b y the law. T h e " t u r n -

w a y to account for à subject w h o c o m e s i n t o b e i n g as a c o n s e -

i n g a r o u n d " i s a s t r a n g e sort o f m i d d l e g r o u n d ( t a k i n g p l a c e ,

q u e n c e o f l a n g u a g e , yet a l w a y s w i t h i n its t e r m s . T h e t h e o r y o f

p e r h a p s , i n a s t r a n g e sort o f " m i d d l e v o i c e " ) ,

2

w h i c h is de-

i n t e r p e l l a t i o n a p p e a r s to stage a s o c i a l scene in w h i c h a s u b -

t e r m i n e d b o t h b y the l a w a n d the a d d r e s s e e , b u t b y n e i t h e r

ject i s h a i l e d , the subject t u r n s a r o u n d , a n d the subject t h e n

u n i l a t e r a l l y o r e x h a u s t i v e l y . A l t h o u g h there w o u l d b e n o t u r n -

accepts the t e r m s b y w h i c h h e o r she i s h a i l e d . T h i s is, n o

i n g a r o u n d w i t h o u t first h a v i n g b e e n h a i l e d , n e i t h e r w o u l d

d o u b t , a scene b o t h p u n i t i v e a n d r e d u c e d , for the c a l l i s m a d e

there b e a t u r n i n g a r o u n d w i t h o u t s o m e r e a d i n e s s t o t u r n .

b y a n officer o f "the L a w , " a n d t h i s officer i s cast a s s i n g u l a r

B u t w h e r e a n d w h e n d o e s the c a l l i n g o f the n a m e s o l i c i t the

a n d s p e a k i n g . C l e a r l y w e m i g h t object that the " c a l l " a r r i v e s

t u r n i n g a r o u n d , the a n t i c i p a t o r y m o v e t o w a r d i d e n t i t y ? H o w

s e v e r a l l y a n d i n i m p l i c i t a n d u n s p o k e n w a y s , that the scene

a n d w h y does the subject t u r n , a n t i c i p a t i n g the c o n f e r r a l o f

i s n e v e r q u i t e a s d y a d i c a s A l t h u s s e r c l a i m s , b u t these objec-

i d e n t i t y t h r o u g h the s e l f - a s c r i p t i o n o f g u i l t ? W h a t k i n d o f r e -

tions have been rehearsed, a n d " i n t e r p e l l a t i o n " as a doctrine

l a t i o n a l r e a d y b i n d s these t w o s u c h that the subject k n o w s t o

c o n t i n u e s t o s u r v i v e its c r i t i q u e . I f w e a c c e p t that the scene

t u r n , k n o w s that s o m e t h i n g i s t o b e g a i n e d f r o m s u c h a t u r n ?

i s e x e m p l a r y a n d a l l e g o r i c a l , t h e n i t n e v e r needs t o h a p p e n

H o w m i g h t w e t h i n k o f t h i s " t u r n " a s p r i o r t o subject f o r m a -

for its e f f e c t i v i t y t o b e p r e s u m e d . I n d e e d , i f i t i s a l l e g o r i c a l i n

t i o n , a p r i o r c o m p l i c i t y w i t h the l a w w i t h o u t w h i c h n o subject

B e n j a m i n ' s sense, t h e n the p r o c e s s l i t e r a l i z e d b y the a l l e g o r y

e m e r g e s ? T h e t u r n t o w a r d the l a w i s t h u s a t u r n a g a i n s t o n e -

i s p r e c i s e l y w h a t resists n a r r a t i o n , w h a t exceeds the n a r r a -

self, a t u r n i n g b a c k o n o n e s e l f that c o n s t i t u t e s the m o v e m e n t

t i v i z a b i l i t y o f events. I n t e r p e l l a t i o n , o n t h i s a c c o u n t , i s n o t a n

o f c o n s c i e n c e . B u t h o w d o e s the reflex o f c o n s c i e n c e p a r a l y z e

1

io8

"Conscience D o t h M a k e Subjects o f U s A l l "

Althusser's Subjection

109

the c r i t i c a l i n t e r r o g a t i o n o f the l a w a t the s a m e t i m e that i t

p r e c e d e s a n d a n t i c i p a t e s the a c c e p t a n c e o f g u i l t , a t u r n that

figures the subject's u n c r i t i c a l r e l a t i o n to the l a w as a c o n d i -

e l u d e s s u b j e c t i v a t i o n e v e n a s i t c o n d i t i o n s it? H o w d o e s t h i s

t i o n of subjectivation? T h e one addressed is c o m p e l l e d to t u r n

" t u r n " f i g u r e a c o n s c i e n c e that m i g h t b e r e n d e r e d less c o n -

t o w a r d the l a w p r i o r t o a n y p o s s i b i l i t y o f a s k i n g a set o f c r i t i -

s c i e n t i o u s t h a n A l t h u s s e r w o u l d r e n d e r it? A n d h o w d o e s

cal questions: W h o is speaking? W h y s h o u l d I t u r n around?

A l t h u s s e r ' s s a n c t i f i c a t i o n o f the scene o f i n t e r p e l l a t i o n m a k e

W h y s h o u l d I a c c e p t the t e r m s b y w h i c h I a m h a i l e d ?

the p o s s i b i l i t y o f b e c o m i n g a " b a d " subject m o r e r e m o t e a n d

T h i s m e a n s that p r i o r t o a n y p o s s i b i l i t y o f a c r i t i c a l u n d e r -

less i n c e n d i a r y t h a n i t m i g h t w e l l b e ?

s t a n d i n g o f the l a w i s a n o p e n n e s s o r v u l n e r a b i l i t y t o the l a w ,

The doctrine of interpellation appears to presuppose a p r i o r

e x e m p l i f i e d i n the t u r n t o w a r d the l a w , i n the a n t i c i p a t i o n o f

a n d unelaborated doctrine of conscience, a t u r n i n g back u p o n

c u l l i n g a n i d e n t i t y t h r o u g h i d e n t i f y i n g w i t h the o n e w h o has

o n e s e l f in the sense that N i e t z s c h e d e s c r i b e d in On the Geneal-

b r o k e n the law. I n d e e d , the l a w i s b r o k e n p r i o r t o a n y p o s -

ogy of Morals. T h i s r e a d i n e s s to accept g u i l t to g a i n a p u r c h a s e

s i b i l i t y o f h a v i n g access t o the l a w , a n d s o " g u i l t " i s p r i o r t o

on identity is l i n k e d to a h i g h l y religious scenario of a n o m i -

3

k n o w l e d g e o f the l a w a n d is, i n t h i s sense, a l w a y s s t r a n g e l y

n a t i n g c a l l that c o m e s f r o m G o d a n d that c o n s t i t u t e s the s u b -

i n n o c e n t . T h e p o s s i b i l i t y o f a c r i t i c a l v i e w o f the l a w i s t h u s

ject b y a p p e a l i n g t o a n e e d f o r the l a w , a n o r i g i n a l g u i l t that

l i m i t e d b y w h a t m i g h t b e u n d e r s t o o d a s a p r i o r d e s i r e for the

the l a w p r o m i s e s t o assuage t h r o u g h the c o n f e r r a l o f i d e n t i t y .

law, a passionate c o m p l i c i t y w i t h law, w i t h o u t w h i c h no sub-

H o w does t h i s r e l i g i o u s f i g u r a t i o n o f i n t e r p e l l a t i o n r e s t r a i n i n

ject c a n exist. F o r the "I" to l a u n c h its c r i t i q u e , it m u s t first

a d v a n c e a n y p o s s i b i l i t y o f c r i t i c a l i n t e r v e n t i o n i n the w o r k -

u n d e r s t a n d that the "I" itself i s d e p e n d e n t u p o n its c o m p l i c i -

i n g s o f the l a w , a n y u n d o i n g o f the subject w i t h o u t w h i c h the

t o u s d e s i r e for the l a w t o m a k e p o s s i b l e its o w n existence. A

l a w cannot proceed?

c r i t i c a l r e v i e w o f the l a w w i l l n o t , therefore, u n d o the force o f

The m e n t i o n of conscience in Althusser's "Ideology a n d

c o n s c i e n c e u n l e s s the o n e w h o offers that c r i t i q u e i s w i l l i n g , a s

I d e o l o g i c a l State A p p a r a t u s e s " has r e c e i v e d l i t t l e c r i t i c a l at-

i t w e r e , t o b e u n d o n e b y the c r i t i q u e that h e o r she p e r f o r m s .

t e n t i o n , e v e n t h o u g h the t e r m , t a k e n together w i t h the ex-

4

I t i s i m p o r t a n t t o r e m e m b e r that the t u r n t o w a r d the l a w i s

a m p l e o f r e l i g i o u s a u t h o r i t y t o i l l u s t r a t e the force o f i d e o l -

n o t necessitated b y the h a i l i n g ; i t i s c o m p e l l i n g , i n a less t h a n

ogy, suggests that the t h e o r y of i d e o l o g y is s u p p o r t e d by a

l o g i c a l sense, b e c a u s e i t p r o m i s e s i d e n t i t y . I f the l a w speaks i n

c o m p l i c a t e d set o f t h e o l o g i c a l m e t a p h o r s . A l t h o u g h A l t h u s -

the n a m e of a s e l f - i d e n t i c a l subject ( A l t h u s s e r cites the utter-

ser e x p l i c i t l y i n t r o d u c e s "the C h u r c h " m e r e l y a s a n example o f

ance o f the H e b r e w G o d : " I a m that I a m " ) , h o w i s i t that c o n -

i d e o l o g i c a l i n t e r p e l l a t i o n , i t a p p e a r s that i d e o l o g y i n h i s t e r m s

s c i e n c e m i g h t d e l i v e r or restore a self to oneness w i t h itself, to

c a n n o t b e t h o u g h t e x c e p t t h r o u g h the m e t a p h o r i c s o f r e l i g i o u s

the p o s t u l a t i o n o f s e l f - i d e n t i t y that b e c o m e s the p r e c o n d i t i o n

authority. The final section of "Ideology" is entitled " A n Ex-

o f the l i n g u i s t i c c o n s o l i d a t i o n " H e r e I a m " ?

ample: The Christian Religious Ideology" and makes explicit

Yet h o w m i g h t w e site the v u l n e r a b i l i t y o f s u b j e c t i v a t i o n

the e x e m p l a r y status that r e l i g i o u s i n s t i t u t i o n s h a v e o c c u p i e d

p r e c i s e l y i n that t u r n ( t o w a r d the l a w , a g a i n s t the self), w h i c h

i n the p r e c e d i n g s e c t i o n o f the essay. T h o s e e x a m p l e s i n c l u d e :

110

"Conscience Doth M a k e Subjects of Us A l l "

Althusser's Subjection

m

the p u t a t i v e " e t e r n i t y " o f i d e o l o g y ; the e x p l i c i t a n a l o g y b e -

c o n s t i t u t i o n o f the subject. B a p t i s m e x e m p l i f i e s the l i n g u i s t i c

t w e e n the " o b v i o u s n e s s o f i d e o l o g y " a n d St. P a u l ' s n o t i o n o f

m e a n s b y w h i c h the subject i s c o m p e l l e d i n t o s o c i a l b e i n g .

the " L o g o s " i n w h i c h w e are s a i d t o " l i v e , m o v e a n d h a v e o u r

G o d n a m e s "Peter," a n d t h i s a d d r e s s establishes G o d a s the

b e i n g " ; P a s c a l ' s p r a y e r a s a n i n s t a n c e o f r i t u a l i n w h i c h as-

o r i g i n o f P e t e r ; the n a m e r e m a i n s a t t a c h e d t o Peter p e r m a 6

s u m i n g the p o s t u r e o f k n e e l i n g g i v e s r i s e o v e r t i m e t o belief;

n e n t l y b y v i r t u e o f the i m p l i e d a n d c o n t i n u o u s p r e s e n c e i n the

b e l i e f i t s e l f a s the i n s t i t u t i o n a l l y r e p r o d u c e d c o n d i t i o n o f i d e -

n a m e o f the o n e w h o n a m e s h i m . W i t h i n the t e r m s o f A l t h u s -

o l o g y ; a n d the d e i f y i n g c a p i t a l i z a t i o n o f " F a m i l y , " " C h u r c h , "

ser's e x a m p l e s , h o w e v e r , t h i s n a m i n g c a n n o t b e a c c o m p l i s h e d

" S c h o o l , " a n d "State."

w i t h o u t a c e r t a i n r e a d i n e s s o r a n t i c i p a t o r y d e s i r e o n the p a r t

A l t h o u g h the last s e c t i o n o f the essay seeks t o e x p l i c a t e

o f the o n e a d d r e s s e d . T o the extent that the n a m i n g i s a n a d -

a n d e x p o s e the e x a m p l e o f r e l i g i o u s a u t h o r i t y , t h i s e x p o s u r e

dress, there i s a n a d d r e s s e e p r i o r t o the a d d r e s s ; b u t g i v e n that

l a c k s the p o w e r t o defuse the f o r c e o f i d e o l o g y . A l t h u s s e r ' s

the a d d r e s s i s a n a m e w h i c h creates w h a t i t n a m e s , there a p -

o w n w r i t i n g , h e c o n c e d e s , i n v a r i a b l y enacts w h a t i t t h e m a -

p e a r s t o b e n o " P e t e r " w i t h o u t the n a m e "Peter."

tizes, a n d t h u s p r o m i s e s n o e n l i g h t e n e d escape f r o m i d e o l o g y

I n d e e d , " P e t e r " d o e s n o t exist w i t h o u t the n a m e that s u p -

5

t h r o u g h t h i s a r t i c u l a t i o n . T o i l l u s t r a t e the p o w e r o f i d e o l o g y

p l i e s the l i n g u i s t i c g u a r a n t e e of existence. In t h i s sense, as a

t o c o n s t i t u t e subjects, A l t h u s s e r has r e c o u r s e t o the e x a m p l e

p r i o r a n d e s s e n t i a l c o n d i t i o n o f the f o r m a t i o n o f the subject,

o f the d i v i n e v o i c e that n a m e s , a n d i n n a m i n g , b r i n g s its s u b -

there i s a c e r t a i n r e a d i n e s s t o b e c o m p e l l e d b y the a u t h o r i t a -

jects i n t o b e i n g . I n c l a i m i n g that s o c i a l i d e o l o g y o p e r a t e s i n

t i v e i n t e r p e l l a t i o n , a r e a d i n e s s w h i c h suggests that o n e is, as

an analogous way, A l t h u s s e r inadvertently assimilates social

i t w e r e , a l r e a d y i n r e l a t i o n t o the v o i c e b e f o r e the r e s p o n s e ,

i n t e r p e l l a t i o n t o the d i v i n e p e r f o r m a t i v e . T h e e x a m p l e o f i d e -

a l r e a d y i m p l i c a t e d i n the t e r m s o f the a n i m a t i n g m i s r e c o g -

o l o g y t h u s a s s u m e s the status o f a p a r a d i g m for t h i n k i n g i d e -

n i t i o n b y a n a u t h o r i t y t o w h i c h one subsequently yields. O r

o l o g y a s s u c h , w h e r e b y the i n e v i t a b l e s t r u c t u r e s o f i d e o l o g y

perhaps one has already y i e l d e d before one turns a r o u n d , a n d

are e s t a b l i s h e d t e x t u a l l y t h r o u g h r e l i g i o u s m e t a p h o r : the a u -

that t u r n i n g i s m e r e l y a s i g n o f a n i n e v i t a b l e s u b m i s s i o n b y

t h o r i t y o f the " v o i c e " o f i d e o l o g y , the " v o i c e " o f i n t e r p e l l a t i o n ,

w h i c h o n e i s e s t a b l i s h e d a s a subject p o s i t i o n e d i n l a n g u a g e a s

is f i g u r e d as a v o i c e a l m o s t i m p o s s i b l e to refuse. T h e f o r c e of

a p o s s i b l e addressee. I n t h i s sense, the scene w i t h the p o l i c e

i n t e r p e l l a t i o n i n A l t h u s s e r i s d e r i v e d f r o m the e x a m p l e s b y

i s a b e l a t e d a n d r e d o u b l e d scene, o n e w h i c h r e n d e r s e x p l i c i t

w h i c h it is ostensibly illustrated, most notably, G o d ' s voice in

a f o u n d i n g s u b m i s s i o n for w h i c h n o s u c h scene w o u l d p r o v e

the n a m i n g o f Peter ( a n d M o s e s ) a n d its s e c u l a r i z a t i o n i n the

a d e q u a t e . I f that s u b m i s s i o n b r i n g s the subject i n t o b e i n g , t h e n

p o s t u l a t e d v o i c e o f the r e p r e s e n t a t i v e o f state a u t h o r i t y : the

the n a r r a t i v e that seeks t o t e l l the s t o r y o f that s u b m i s s i o n c a n

p o l i c e m a n ' s v o i c e i n the h a i l i n g o f the w a y w a r d p e d e s t r i a n

p r o c e e d o n l y b y e x p l o i t i n g g r a m m a r f o r its f i c t i o n a l effects.

w i t h " H e y y o u there!"

T h e n a r r a t i v e that seeks t o a c c o u n t f o r h o w the subject c o m e s

I n o t h e r w o r d s , the d i v i n e p o w e r o f n a m i n g s t r u c t u r e s

i n t o b e i n g p r e s u m e s the g r a m m a t i c a l "subject" p r i o r t o the

the t h e o r y o f i n t e r p e l l a t i o n that a c c o u n t s for the i d e o l o g i c a l

a c c o u n t o f its genesis. Yet the f o u n d i n g s u b m i s s i o n that has

112

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113

n o t yet r e s o l v e d i n t o the subject w o u l d b e p r e c i s e l y the n o n -

be r e a d as the c o m p e l l e d c o n s e q u e n c e of a n a r c i s s i s t i c a t t a c h -

n a r r a t i v i z a b l e p r e h i s t o r y o f the subject, a p a r a d o x w h i c h calls

m e n t t o one's c o n t i n u i n g existence.

the v e r y n a r r a t i v e o f subject f o r m a t i o n i n t o q u e s t i o n . I f there

A l t h u s s e r takes u p g u i l t e x p l i c i t l y i n the n a r r a t i v e , h o w e v e r

is no subject e x c e p t as a c o n s e q u e n c e of this s u b j e c t i o n , the

reliable, of his m u r d e r of Hélène, his wife, in w h i c h he nar-

n a r r a t i v e that w o u l d e x p l a i n t h i s r e q u i r e s that the t e m p o r a l i t y

rates, i n a t e l l i n g r e v e r s a l o f the p o l i c e scene i n " I d e o l o g y , "

n o t b e t r u e , for the g r a m m a r o f that n a r r a t i v e p r e s u p p o s e s

h o w h e r u s h e d i n t o the street c a l l i n g for the p o l i c e i n o r d e r

that there i s n o s u b j e c t i o n w i t h o u t a subject w h o u n d e r g o e s it.

t o d e l i v e r h i m s e l f u p t o the law. T h i s c a l l i n g for the p o l i c e i s 8

Is this f o u n d i n g s u b m i s s i o n a k i n d of y i e l d i n g p r i o r to any

a peculiar inversion of hailing w h i c h "Ideology" presupposes

q u e s t i o n o f p s y c h o l o g i c a l m o t i v a t i o n ? H o w are w e t o u n d e r -

w i t h o u t e x p l i c i t l y t h e m a t i z i n g . W i t h o u t e x p l o i t i n g the b i o -

s t a n d the p s y c h i c d i s p o s i t i o n a t w o r k a t the m o m e n t i n w h i c h

g r a p h i c a l , I w a n t t o p u r s u e the t h e o r e t i c a l i m p o r t a n c e o f t h i s

the p e d e s t r i a n r e s p o n d s t o the l a w ? W h a t c o n d i t i o n s a n d i n -

r e v e r s a l o f the scene w i t h the p o l i c e , i n w h i c h the m a n o n the

f o r m s that r e s p o n s e ? W h y w o u l d the p e r s o n o n the street r e -

street calls f o r the p o l i c e r a t h e r t h a n r e s p o n d i n g t o the p o l i c e ' s

s p o n d t o " H e y y o u t h e r e ! " b y t u r n i n g a r o u n d ? W h a t i s the

call. In "Ideology," guilt a n d conscience operate i m p l i c i t l y in

s i g n i f i c a n c e of t u r n i n g to face a v o i c e that calls f r o m b e h i n d ?

relation to an ideological demand, an animating reprimand, in

T h i s t u r n i n g t o w a r d the v o i c e of the l a w is a s i g n of a c e r t a i n

the a c c o u n t o f subject f o r m a t i o n . T h e p r e s e n t c h a p t e r a t t e m p t s

d e s i r e t o b e b e h e l d b y a n d p e r h a p s also t o b e h o l d the face o f

t o r e r e a d that essay t o u n d e r s t a n d h o w i n t e r p e l l a t i o n i s essen-

authority, a visual rendering of an auditory scene—a m i r r o r

t i a l l y f i g u r e d t h r o u g h the r e l i g i o u s e x a m p l e . T h e e x e m p l a r y

stage or, p e r h a p s m o r e a p p r o p r i a t e l y , a n " a c o u s t i c m i r r o r " —

status o f r e l i g i o u s a u t h o r i t y u n d e r s c o r e s the p a r a d o x o f h o w

that p e r m i t s the m i s r e c o g n i t i o n w i t h o u t w h i c h the s o c i a l i t y

the v e r y p o s s i b i l i t y o f subject f o r m a t i o n d e p e n d s u p o n a p a s -

o f the subject c a n n o t b e a c h i e v e d . T h i s s u b j e c t i v a t i o n is, ac-

sionate p u r s u i t o f a r e c o g n i t i o n w h i c h , w i t h i n the t e r m s o f the

c o r d i n g to A l t h u s s e r , a m i s r e c o g n i t i o n , a false a n d p r o v i s i o n a l

religious example, is inseparable f r o m a c o n d e m n a t i o n .

7

t o t a l i z a t i o n ; w h a t p r e c i p i t a t e s t h i s d e s i r e for the l a w , t h i s l u r e

A n o t h e r w a y o f p o s i n g t h i s q u e s t i o n w o u l d b e t o ask: H o w

o f m i s r e c o g n i t i o n o f f e r e d i n the r e p r i m a n d that establishes

i s A l t h u s s e r ' s text i m p l i c a t e d i n the " c o n s c i e n c e " that i t seeks

s u b o r d i n a t i o n a s the p r i c e o f s u b j e c t i v a t i o n ? T h i s a c c o u n t a p -

to e x p l a i n ? To w h a t extent is the p e r s i s t e n c e of the t h e o -

p e a r s to i m p l y that s o c i a l existence, existence as a subject, c a n

l o g i c a l m o d e l a s y m p t o m , o n e that c o m p e l s a s y m p t o m a t i c

b e p u r c h a s e d o n l y t h r o u g h a g u i l t y e m b r a c e o f the l a w , w h e r e

r e a d i n g ? In h i s i n t r o d u c t o r y essay to Reading Capital, A l t h u s -

g u i l t g u a r a n t e e s the i n t e r v e n t i o n o f the l a w a n d , hence, the

ser suggests that e v e r y text m u s t b e r e a d f o r the " i n v i s i b l e "

c o n t i n u a t i o n of the subject's existence. If the subject c a n o n l y

that a p p e a r s w i t h i n the w o r l d that t h e o r y r e n d e r s v i s i b l e . I n 9

assure h i s / h e r existence i n t e r m s o f the l a w , a n d the l a w r e -

a recent c o n s i d e r a t i o n o f A l t h u s s e r ' s n o t i o n o f " s y m p t o m a t i c

quires subjection for subjectivation, then, perversely, one m a y

r e a d i n g , " J e a n - M a r i e V i n c e n t r e m a r k s that " a text i s n o t i n t e r -

( a l w a y s a l r e a d y ) y i e l d t o the l a w i n o r d e r t o c o n t i n u e t o as-

e s t i n g o n l y b e c a u s e i t i s o r g a n i z e d l o g i c a l l y , b e c a u s e o f the

s u r e o n e ' s o w n existence. T h e y i e l d i n g t o the l a w m i g h t t h e n

a p p a r e n t l y r i g o r o u s w a y i n w h i c h i t d e v e l o p s its a r g u m e n t s ,

ii

4

"Conscience D o t h M a k e Subjects of Us A l l "

T

Althusser's

Subjection

"5

b u t a l s o b e c a u s e o f w h a t d i s o r g a n i z e s its o r d e r , b e c a u s e o f

a r e f l e x i v i t y — w h i c h c o n s t i t u t e s the c o n d i t i o n o f p o s s i b i l i t y

a l l that w e a k e n s i t . "

Neither Althusser nor Vincent considers

for the subject t o f o r m . R e f l e x i v i t y i s c o n s t i t u t e d t h r o u g h t h i s

the p o s s i b i l i t y that the e x e m p l a r y status o f c e r t a i n m e t a p h o r s

m o m e n t o f c o n s c i e n c e , t h i s t u r n i n g b a c k u p o n oneself, w h i c h

m a y o c c a s i o n a s y m p t o m a t i c r e a d i n g that " w e a k e n s " r i g o r o u s

i s s i m u l t a n e o u s w i t h a t u r n i n g t o w a r d the law. T h i s self-

a r g u m e n t . Yet i n A l t h u s s e r ' s o w n text, r e c o n s i d e r i n g the c e n -

r e s t r i c t i o n d o e s n o t i n t e r n a l i z e a n e x t e r n a l l a w : the m o d e l o f

1 0

t r a l r e l i g i o u s t r o p e s o f the v o i c e o f the l a w a n d c o n s c i e n c e e n -

i n t e r n a l i z a t i o n takes for g r a n t e d that a n " i n t e r n a l " a n d "exter-

ables o n e t o q u e s t i o n w h a t has b e c o m e , w i t h i n recent l i t e r a r y

n a l " h a v e a l r e a d y b e e n f o r m e d . Instead, t h i s s e l f - r e s t r i c t i o n i s

s t u d i e s , a n u n n e c e s s a r y t e n s i o n b e t w e e n the r e a d i n g o f m e t a -

p r i o r to the subject. It c o n s t i t u t e s the i n a u g u r a t i n g r e f l e x i v e

p h o r a n d the r e a d i n g o f i d e o l o g y . T o the extent that A l t h u s s e r ' s

t u r n o f the subject, e n a c t e d i n a n t i c i p a t i o n o f the l a w a n d

r e l i g i o u s a n a l o g i e s are u n d e r s t o o d a s m e r e l y i l l u s t r a t i v e , t h e y

hence d e t e r m i n e d by, h a v i n g p r e j u d i c a t i v e f o r e k n o w l e d g e of,

are set a p a r t f r o m the r i g o r o u s a r g u m e n t a t i o n of the text itself,

the l a w . C o n s c i e n c e i s f u n d a m e n t a l t o the p r o d u c t i o n a n d

o f f e r e d i n p e d a g o g i c a l p a r a p h r a s i s . Yet the p e r f o r m a t i v e force

r e g u l a t i o n o f the c i t i z e n - s u b j e c t , for c o n s c i e n c e t u r n s the i n d i -

o f the v o i c e o f r e l i g i o u s a u t h o r i t y b e c o m e s e x e m p l a r y f o r the

v i d u a l a r o u n d , m a k e s h i m / h e r a v a i l a b l e t o the s u b j e c t i v a t i n g

t h e o r y o f i n t e r p e l l a t i o n , t h u s e x t e n d i n g t h r o u g h e x a m p l e the

r e p r i m a n d . T h e l a w r e d o u b l e s that r e p r i m a n d , h o w e v e r : the

p u t a t i v e force o f d i v i n e n a m i n g t o the s o c i a l a u t h o r i t i e s b y

t u r n i n g b a c k i s a t u r n i n g t o w a r d . H o w are these t u r n s t o b e

w h i c h the subject i s h a i l e d i n t o s o c i a l b e i n g . I d o n o t m e a n t o

t h o u g h t together, w i t h o u t r e d u c i n g o n e t o the o t h e r ?

suggest that the " t r u t h " o f A l t h u s s e r ' s text c a n b e d i s c o v e r e d

B e f o r e the p o l i c e o r the c h u r c h a u t h o r i t i e s a r r i v e o n the

i n h o w the f i g u r a i d i s r u p t s " r i g o r o u s " c o n c e p t u a l i z a t i o n . S u c h

A l t h u s s e r i a n scene, there is a reference to p r o h i b i t i o n w h i c h ,

a n a p p r o a c h r o m a n t i c i z e s the f i g u r a i a s e s s e n t i a l l y d i s r u p t i v e ,

i n a L a c a n i a n v e i n , i s l i n k e d w i t h the v e r y p o s s i b i l i t y o f

whereas figures m a y w e l l c o m p o u n d a n d intensify concep-

s p e e c h . A l t h u s s e r l i n k s the e m e r g e n c e o f a c o n s c i o u s n e s s —

t u a l c l a i m s . T h e c o n c e r n here has a m o r e s p e c i f i c t e x t u a l a i m ,

a n d a c o n s c i e n c e ("la c o n s c i e n c e c i v i q u e et p r o f e s s i o n e l l e " ) —

namely, to show h o w figures—examples and analogies—in-

w i t h the p r o b l e m of s p e a k i n g p r o p e r l y (bien parler)}

f o r m a n d e x t e n d c o n c e p t u a l i z a t i o n s , i m p l i c a t i n g the text i n a n

i n g p r o p e r l y " a p p e a r s t o b e a n i n s t a n c e o f the i d e o l o g i c a l

ideological sanctification of religious authority w h i c h it can

w o r k o f a c q u i r i n g s k i l l s , a p r o c e s s c e n t r a l t o the f o r m a t i o n o f

e x p o s e o n l y b y r e e n a c t i n g that a u t h o r i t y .

1

"Speak-

the subject. T h e " d i v e r s e s k i l l s " o f l a b o r p o w e r m u s t b e r e p r o -

F o r A l t h u s s e r , the efficacy o f i d e o l o g y consists i n p a r t i n

d u c e d , a n d increasingly this r e p r o d u c t i o n happens "outside

the f o r m a t i o n of conscience, w h e r e the n o t i o n " c o n s c i e n c e " is

the f i r m " a n d i n school, that is, o u t s i d e p r o d u c t i o n a n d i n e d u -

u n d e r s t o o d t o p l a c e r e s t r i c t i o n s o n w h a t i s s p e a k a b l e or, m o r e

c a t i o n a l i n s t i t u t i o n s . T h e s k i l l s t o b e l e a r n e d are, a b o v e a l l , the

generally, representable. Conscience cannot be conceptualized

skills of speech. T h e first m e n t i o n of "conscience," w h i c h w i l l

as a s e l f - r e s t r i c t i o n , if that r e l a t i o n is c o n s t r u e d as a p r e g i v e n

t u r n o u t t o b e c e n t r a l t o the success o r efficacy o f i n t e r p e l l a -

r e f l e x i v i t y , a t u r n i n g b a c k u p o n itself p e r f o r m e d b y a r e a d y -

t i o n , i s l i n k e d t o the a c q u i s i t i o n o f m a s t e r y , t o l e a r n i n g h o w t o

m a d e subject. I n s t e a d , it d e s i g n a t e s a k i n d of t u r n i n g b a c k —

"speak p r o p e r l y . " T h e r e p r o d u c t i o n o f the subject takes p l a c e

n6

Althusser's Subjection

"Conscience D o t h M a k e Subjects o f U s A l l "

t h r o u g h the r e p r o d u c t i o n o f l i n g u i s t i c s k i l l s , c o n s t i t u t i n g , a s i t

117

o f m a s t e r y / s u b m i s s i o n i s f o r f e i t e d b y A l t h u s s e r a s h e recasts

w e r e , the r u l e s a n d a t t i t u d e s o b s e r v e d " b y e v e r y agent i n the

submission precisely a n d p a r a d o x i c a l l y as a k i n d of mastery.

d i v i s i o n o f l a b o u r . " I n t h i s sense the r u l e s o f p r o p e r s p e e c h

In t h i s v i e w , n e i t h e r s u b m i s s i o n n o r m a s t e r y is performed by a

are also the r u l e s b y w h i c h respect i s p r o f e r r e d o r w i t h h e l d .

subject; the l i v e d s i m u l t a n e i t y of s u b m i s s i o n as m a s t e r y , a n d

W o r k e r s are t a u g h t t o speak p r o p e r l y a n d m a n a g e r s l e a r n t o

m a s t e r y a s s u b m i s s i o n , i s the c o n d i t i o n o f p o s s i b i l i t y for the

s p e a k to w o r k e r s " i n the r i g h t w a y [bien commander]" (131-

e m e r g e n c e of the subject. The conceptual p r o b l e m here is u n d e r s c o r e d by a g r a m -

32/72). L a n g u a g e s k i l l s are s a i d t o b e m a s t e r e d a n d m a s t e r a b l e , yet

m a t i c a l o n e i n w h i c h there c a n b e n o subject p r i o r t o a s u b m i s -

this mastery is figured by Althusser quite clearly as a k i n d

s i o n , a n d yet there i s a g r a m m a t i c a l l y i n d u c e d " n e e d t o k n o w "

o f s u b m i s s i o n : "the r e p r o d u c t i o n o f l a b o r p o w e r r e q u i r e s n o t

who u n d e r g o e s t h i s s u b m i s s i o n in o r d e r to b e c o m e a subject.

o n l y a r e p r o d u c t i o n of (the l a b o r e r ' s ) s k i l l s , b u t also, at the

A l t h u s s e r i n t r o d u c e s the t e r m " i n d i v i d u a l " a s a p l a c e - h o l d e r

s a m e t i m e , a r e p r o d u c t i o n of its s u b m i s s i o n to the r u l e s of the

t o satisfy p r o v i s i o n a l l y t h i s g r a m m a t i c a l n e e d , b u t w h a t m i g h t

established order

(132/72).

u l t i m a t e l y fit the g r a m m a t i c a l r e q u i r e m e n t w i l l n o t b e a static

T h i s s u b m i s s i o n t o the r u l e s o f the d o m i n a n t i d e o l o g y l e a d s

g r a m m a t i c a l subject. T h e g r a m m a r o f the subject e m e r g e s o n l y

i n the n e x t p a r a g r a p h t o the p r o b l e m a t i c o f subjection, w h i c h

as a c o n s e q u e n c e of the p r o c e s s we are t r y i n g to d e s c r i b e .

c a r r i e s the d o u b l e m e a n i n g o f h a v i n g s u b m i t t e d t o these r u l e s

B e c a u s e w e are, a s i t w e r e , t r a p p e d w i t h i n the g r a m m a t i c a l

a n d b e c o m i n g constituted w i t h i n sociality b y v i r t u e o f this

t i m e o f the subject (e.g., " w e are t r y i n g t o d e s c r i b e , " " w e are

submission.

t r a p p e d " ) , it is a l m o s t i m p o s s i b l e to ask after the g e n e a l o g y

[soumission à l'idéologie dominante]"

A l t h u s s e r w r i t e s that "the s c h o o l . . . teaches ' k n o w - h o w ' [ s k i l l s ; des 'savoir-faire'] . . . in f o r m s w h i c h e n s u r e subjection to

o f its c o n s t r u c t i o n w i t h o u t p r e s u p p o s i n g that c o n s t r u c t i o n i n a s k i n g the q u e s t i o n .

[l'assujetissement à l ' i d é o l o g i e d o m i n a n t e ]

W h a t , p r i o r t o the subject, a c c o u n t s f o r its f o r m a t i o n ? A l -

or [ou] the m a s t e r y of its ' p r a c t i c e ' " (133/73). C o n s i d e r the

t h u s s e r b e g i n s " I d e o l o g y a n d I d e o l o g i c a l State A p p a r a t u s e s "

l o g i c a l effect o f the d i s j u n c t i v e " o r " i n the m i d d l e o f t h i s for-

b y r e f e r r i n g t o the r e p r o d u c t i o n o f s o c i a l r e l a t i o n s , s p e c i f i e d

m u l a t i o n : " s u b j e c t i o n t o the r u l i n g i d e o l o g y o r " — p u t i n differ-

a s the r e p r o d u c t i o n o f s o c i a l s k i l l s . H e t h e n d i s t i n g u i s h e s b e -

ent, yet e q u i v a l e n t t e r m s — " t h e m a s t e r y o f its ' p r a c t i c e ' " ( m y

t w e e n s k i l l s r e p r o d u c e d i n the f i r m a n d those r e p r o d u c e d i n

e m p h a s i s ) . T h e m o r e a p r a c t i c e i s m a s t e r e d , the m o r e f u l l y

e d u c a t i o n . T h e subject is f o r m e d w i t h respect to the latter. In a

subjection is achieved. S u b m i s s i o n a n d mastery take place

sense, t h i s r e p r o d u c t i o n o f r e l a t i o n s i s p r i o r t o the subject w h o

simultaneously, a n d this p a r a d o x i c a l s i m u l t a n e i t y constitutes

i s f o r m e d i n its c o u r s e . Yet the t w o c a n n o t , s t r i c t l y s p e a k i n g ,

the a m b i v a l e n c e o f s u b j e c t i o n . T h o u g h o n e m i g h t e x p e c t s u b -

b e t h o u g h t w i t h o u t e a c h other.

the ruling ideology

m i s s i o n to consist in y i e l d i n g to an externally i m p o s e d d o m i -

T h e r e p r o d u c t i o n o f s o c i a l r e l a t i o n s , the r e p r o d u c t i o n o f

n a n t o r d e r a n d t o b e m a r k e d b y a loss o f c o n t r o l a n d m a s t e r y ,

s k i l l s , i s the r e p r o d u c t i o n o f s u b j e c t i o n . B u t the r e p r o d u c t i o n

p a r a d o x i c a l l y , i t i s itself m a r k e d b y m a s t e r y . T h e b i n a r y f r a m e

o f l a b o r i s not c e n t r a l h e r e — t h e c e n t r a l r e p r o d u c t i o n i s o n e

ii8

"Conscience Doth M a k e Subjects of Us A l l "

p r o p e r t o the subject a n d takes p l a c e i n r e l a t i o n t o l a n g u a g e

Althusser

s

Subjection

119

that the r e a s o n there are so f e w references to " b a d subjects"

a n d t o the f o r m a t i o n o f c o n s c i e n c e . F o r A l t h u s s e r , t o p e r f o r m

i n A l t h u s s e r i s that the t e r m t e n d s t o w a r d the o x y m o r o n i c . T o

tasks " c o n s c i e n t i o u s l y " i s t o p e r f o r m t h e m , a s i t w e r e , a g a i n

be " b a d " is not yet to be a subject, n o t yet to h a v e a c q u i t t e d

a n d a g a i n , t o r e p r o d u c e those s k i l l s a n d , i n r e p r o d u c i n g t h e m ,

oneself o f the a l l e g a t i o n o f g u i l t .

12

to acquire mastery. A l t h u s s e r places "conscientiously" in q u o -

T h i s p e r f o r m a n c e i s n o t s i m p l y i n accord w i t h these s k i l l s ,

tation m a r k s ("pour s'acquitter 'consciencieusement' de leur

for there i s n o subject p r i o r t o t h e i r p e r f o r m i n g ; p e r f o r m i n g

tâche," 73), t h u s b r i n g i n g i n t o r e l i e f the w a y i n w h i c h l a b o r

s k i l l s l a b o r i o u s l y w o r k s the subject i n t o its status as a s o c i a l

i s m o r a l i z e d . T h e m o r a l sense o f s'acquitter i s lost i n its t r a n s -

being. There is guilt, a n d then a repetitive practice by w h i c h

l a t i o n as "to p e r f o r m " : if the m a s t e r y of a set of s k i l l s is to

s k i l l s are a c q u i r e d , a n d t h e n a n d o n l y t h e n a n a s s u m p t i o n o f

be c o n s t r u e d as an acquitting of oneself, t h e n t h i s m a s t e r y of

the g r a m m a t i c a l p l a c e w i t h i n the s o c i a l as a subject.

savoir-faire d e f e n d s o n e a g a i n s t a n a c c u s a t i o n ; q u i t e l i t e r a l l y ,

To say that the subject p e r f o r m s a c c o r d i n g to a set of s k i l l s

it is the a c c u s e d ' s d e c l a r a t i o n of i n n o c e n c e . To a c q u i t oneself

is, as it w e r e , to t a k e g r a m m a r at its w o r d : there is a subject

" c o n s c i e n t i o u s l y " is, t h e n , to c o n s t r u e l a b o r as a c o n f e s s i o n of

w h o e n c o u n t e r s a set o f s k i l l s t o b e l e a r n e d , l e a r n s t h e m o r

i n n o c e n c e , a d i s p l a y o r p r o o f o f g u i l t l e s s n e s s i n the face o f the

fails t o l e a r n t h e m , a n d t h e n a n d o n l y t h e n c a n i t b e s a i d e i t h e r

d e m a n d for confession i m p l i e d by an insistent accusation.

to h a v e m a s t e r e d those s k i l l s or n o t . To m a s t e r a set of s k i l l s is

" S u b m i s s i o n " t o the r u l e s o f the d o m i n a n t i d e o l o g y m i g h t

n o t s i m p l y t o accept a set o f s k i l l s , b u t t o r e p r o d u c e t h e m i n

t h e n be u n d e r s t o o d as a s u b m i s s i o n to the n e c e s s i t y to p r o v e

a n d a s one's o w n a c t i v i t y . T h i s i s not s i m p l y t o act a c c o r d i n g

i n n o c e n c e i n the face o f a c c u s a t i o n , a s u b m i s s i o n t o the d e -

to a set of r u l e s , b u t to e m b o d y r u l e s in the c o u r s e of a c t i o n

m a n d f o r p r o o f , a n e x e c u t i o n o f that p r o o f , a n d a c q u i s i t i o n o f

a n d to r e p r o d u c e those rules in e m b o d i e d rituals of a c t i o n .

13

the status o f the subject i n a n d t h r o u g h c o m p l i a n c e w i t h the

W h a t leads t o t h i s r e p r o d u c t i o n ? C l e a r l y , i t i s n o t m e r e l y

t e r m s of the i n t e r r o g a t i v e law. To b e c o m e a "subject" is t h u s

a m e c h a n i s t i c a p p r o p r i a t i o n of n o r m s , n o r is it a v o l u n t a r i s t i c

to have been p r e s u m e d guilty, then tried a n d declared i n n o -

a p p r o p r i a t i o n . It is neither s i m p l e b e h a v i o r i s m n o r a delib-

cent. B e c a u s e t h i s d e c l a r a t i o n is n o t a s i n g l e act b u t a status

erate project. To the extent that it p r e c e d e s the f o r m a t i o n of

i n c e s s a n t l y reproduced, to b e c o m e a "subject" is to be c o n t i n u -

the subject, it is n o t yet of the o r d e r of c o n s c i o u s n e s s , a n d

o u s l y i n the p r o c e s s o f a c q u i t t i n g oneself o f the a c c u s a t i o n o f

yet t h i s i n v o l u n t a r y c o m p u l s i o n i s n o t a m e c h a n i s t i c a l l y i n -

g u i l t . It is to h a v e b e c o m e an e m b l e m of l a w f u l n e s s , a c i t i z e n

d u c e d effect. T h e n o t i o n o f r i t u a l suggests that i t i s p e r f o r m e d ,

i n g o o d s t a n d i n g , b u t o n e for w h o m that status i s t e n u o u s ,

a n d that i n the r e p e t i t i o n o f p e r f o r m a n c e a b e l i e f i s s p a w n e d ,

i n d e e d , one w h o has k n o w n — s o m e h o w , s o m e w h e r e — w h a t i t

w h i c h i s t h e n i n c o r p o r a t e d i n t o the p e r f o r m a n c e i n its subse-

is not to h a v e that s t a n d i n g a n d h e n c e to h a v e b e e n cast o u t

quent operations. But inherent to any performance is a c o m -

a s g u i l t y Yet b e c a u s e t h i s g u i l t c o n d i t i o n s the subject, i t c o n -

p u l s i o n t o " a c q u i t oneself," a n d s o p r i o r t o a n y p e r f o r m a n c e i s

stitutes the p r e h i s t o r y o f the s u b j e c t i o n t o the l a w b y w h i c h

an anxiety a n d a knowingness w h i c h becomes articulate a n d

the subject i s p r o d u c e d . H e r e o n e m i g h t u s e f u l l y conjecture

a n i m a t i n g o n l y o n the o c c a s i o n o f the r e p r i m a n d .

120

"Conscience D o t h M a k e Subjects of Us A H "

Althusser's

Subjection

121

I s i t p o s s i b l e t o separate the p s y c h i c d i m e n s i o n o f t h i s r i t u -

ance w i t h i n m a t e r i a l i t y . A c c o r d i n g t o D o l a r , i n t e r p e l l a t i o n c a n

a l i s t i c r e p e t i t i o n f r o m the "acts" b y w h i c h i t i s a n i m a t e d a n d

o n l y e x p l a i n the f o r m a t i o n o f the subject i n a p a r t i a l w a y :

reanimated? The v e r y n o t i o n of r i t u a l is meant to render be-

"for A l t h u s s e r , the subject i s w h a t m a k e s i d e o l o g y w o r k ; for

lief a n d p r a c t i c e i n s e p a r a b l e . Yet the S l o v e n i a n c r i t i c M l a d e n

p s y c h o a n a l y s i s , the subject e m e r g e s w h e r e i d e o l o g y fails. . . .

D o l a r a r g u e s that A l t h u s s e r fails t o a c c o u n t for the p s y c h e a s

The r e m a i n d e r p r o d u c e d by subjectivation is also invisible

a separate d i m e n s i o n . D o l a r c o u n s e l s a r e t u r n t o L a c a n , m u c h

f r o m the p o i n t o f v i e w o f i n t e r p e l l a t i o n . " " I n t e r p e l l a t i o n " h e

i n the s a m e w a y that S l a v o j Z i z e k suggests a n e c e s s a r y c o m -

w r i t e s , " i s a w a y o f a v o i d i n g [that r e m a i n d e r ] " (76). A t stake

plementarity between Althusser and Lacan.

T o insist o n the

for D o l a r i s the n e e d t o s t r e n g t h e n the d i s t i n c t i o n b e t w e e n the

s e p a r a b i l i t y o f the p s y c h e f r o m s o c i a l p r a c t i c e i s t o i n t e n s i f y

d o m a i n o f the s y m b o l i c , u n d e r s t o o d a s c o m m u n i c a b l e s p e e c h

the r e l i g i o u s m e t a p h o r i c s i n A l t h u s s e r , that is, t o f i g u r e the

a n d s o c i a l b o n d s , a n d that o f the p s y c h i c , w h i c h i s o n t o l o g i -

p s y c h e as p u r e i d e a l i t y , not u n l i k e the i d e a l i t y of the s o u l . I

c a l l y d i s t i n c t f r o m the s o c i a l a n d i s d e n n e d a s the r e m a i n d e r

turn, then, to D o l a r ' s reading of Althusser in order to consider

that the n o t i o n o f the s o c i a l c a n n o t t a k e i n t o a c c o u n t .

1 4

the t e n s i o n b e t w e e n the p u t a t i v e i d e a l i t y o f s u b j e c t i v i t y a n d

Dolar distinguishes between materiality and inferiority,

the c l a i m that i d e o l o g y , i n c l u d i n g p s y c h i c r e a l i t y , i s p a r t o f the

t h e n l o o s e l y a l i g n s that d i s t i n c t i o n w i t h the A l t h u s s e r i a n d i v i -

e x p a n d e d d o m a i n o f m a t e r i a l i t y i n the A l t h u s s e r i a n sense.

s i o n b e t w e e n the m a t e r i a l i t y o f the state a p p a r a t u s a n d the

M l a d e n D o l a r ' s essay " B e y o n d I n t e r p e l l a t i o n "

suggests

putative ideality of subjectivity. In a f o r m u l a t i o n w i t h strong

that A l t h u s s e r , d e s p i t e h i s o c c a s i o n a l u s e o f L a c a n ' s t h e o r y o f

C a r t e s i a n r e s o n a n c e , D o l a r defines s u b j e c t i v i t y t h r o u g h the

the i m a g i n a r y , fails t o a p p r e c i a t e the d i s r u p t i v e p o t e n t i a l o f

n o t i o n o f i n f e r i o r i t y a n d i d e n t i f i e s a s m a t e r i a l the d o m a i n o f

p s y c h o a n a l y s i s , i n p a r t i c u l a r , the n o t i o n o f the R e a l a s d e s i g -

e x t e r i o r i t y (i.e., e x t e r i o r t o the subject). H e p r e s u p p o s e s that

1 5

n a t i n g that w h i c h n e v e r b e c o m e s a v a i l a b l e t o s u b j e c t i v a t i o n .

s u b j e c t i v i t y consists i n b o t h i n f e r i o r i t y a n d i d e a l i t y , w h e r e a s

D o l a r w r i t e s , " T o p u t it the s i m p l e s t w a y , there is a p a r t of the

m a t e r i a l i t y b e l o n g s t o its o p p o s i t e , the c o u n t e r v a i l i n g e x t e r i o r

i n d i v i d u a l that c a n n o t s u c c e s s f u l l y pass i n t o the subject, a n

world.

e l e m e n t of ' p r e - i d e o l o g i c a l ' a n d ' p r e s u b j e c t i v e ' materia prima

This manner of distinguishing interior from exterior m a y

that c o m e s t o h a u n t s u b j e c t i v i t y o n c e i t i s c o n s t i t u t e d a s s u c h "

w e l l s e e m strange as a c h a r a c t e r i z a t i o n of or e x t r a p o l a t i o n

(75). T h e u s e of "materia prima" h e r e is s i g n i f i c a n t , for w i t h

from Althusser's position. Althusser's distinctive contribution

t h i s p h r a s e D o l a r e x p l i c i t l y contests the s o c i a l a c c o u n t o f m a -

is, after a l l , t o u n d e r m i n e the o n t o l o g i c a l d u a l i s m p r e s u p p o s e d

t e r i a l i t y that A l t h u s s e r p r o v i d e s . In fact, t h i s "materia prima"

b y the c o n v e n t i o n a l M a r x i s t d i s t i n c t i o n b e t w e e n a m a t e r i a l

n e v e r materializes in the A l t h u s s e r i a n sense, n e v e r e m e r g e s as

base a n d a n i d e a l o r i d e o l o g i c a l s u p e r s t r u c t u r e . H e d o e s s o

a p r a c t i c e , a r i t u a l , or a s o c i a l r e l a t i o n ; f r o m the p o i n t of v i e w

b y a s s e r t i n g the m a t e r i a l i t y o f the i d e o l o g i c a l : " a n i d e o l o g y

o f the s o c i a l , the " m a t e r i a p r i m a " i s r a d i c a l l y immaterial. D o l a r

a l w a y s exists i n a n a p p a r a t u s , a n d its p r a c t i c e , o r p r a c t i c e s .

t h u s c r i t i c i z e s A l t h u s s e r for e l i d i n g the d i m e n s i o n o f subjec-

T h i s existence i s m a t e r i a l . "

t i v i t y that r e m a i n s r a d i c a l l y i m m a t e r i a l , b a r r e d f r o m a p p e a r -

1 6

T h e c o n s t i t u t i o n of the subject is material to the extent that

122

"Conscience D o t h M a k e Subjects of Us A l l "

Althusser's

Subjection

123

t h i s c o n s t i t u t i o n takes p l a c e t h r o u g h rituals, a n d these r i t u a l s

l i m i t to b o t h materialization a n d subjectivation; it constitutes

m a t e r i a l i z e "the i d e a s o f the subject" (169). W h a t i s c a l l e d "sub-

the c o n s t i t u t i v e l a c k o r the n o n - s y m b o l i z a b l e R e a l . A s fore-

j e c t i v i t y , " u n d e r s t o o d a s the l i v e d a n d i m a g i n a r y e x p e r i e n c e o f

c l o s e d o r i n t r o j e c t e d , the p r i m a r y object i s lost a n d i d e a l i z e d a t

the subject, i s itself d e r i v e d f r o m the m a t e r i a l r i t u a l s b y w h i c h

once; the i d e a l i t y a c q u i r e d b y t h i s object t h r o u g h i n t r o j e c t i o n

subjects are c o n s t i t u t e d . P a s c a l ' s b e l i e v e r k n e e l s m o r e t h a n

c o n s t i t u t e s the f o u n d i n g i d e a l i t y o f s u b j e c t i v i t y . T h i s i n s i g h t

once, n e c e s s a r i l y r e p e a t i n g the g e s t u r e b y w h i c h b e l i e f i s c o n -

i s the o n e that A l t h u s s e r a p p e a r s t o m i s s , a n d yet D o l a r a p -

j u r e d . T o u n d e r s t a n d , m o r e b r o a d l y , "the r i t u a l s o f i d e o l o g i c a l

p e a r s t o a t t r i b u t e t o h i m the v e r y d i s t i n c t i o n b e t w e e n m a t e r i -

r e c o g n i t i o n " ' (173) b y w h i c h the subject i s c o n s t i t u t e d i s c e n -

a l i t y a n d i d e a l i t y that i s i n s u f f i c i e n t l y r e a l i z e d i n A l t h u s s e r ' s

t r a l t o the v e r y n o t i o n o f i d e o l o g y . B u t i f b e l i e f f o l l o w s f r o m

theory:

the p o s t u r e o f p r a y e r , i f that p o s t u r e c o n d i t i o n s a n d reiterates belief, t h e n h o w are w e t o separate the i d e a t i o n a l s p h e r e f r o m the r i t u a l p r a c t i c e s b y w h i c h i t i s i n c e s s a n t l y r e i n s t i t u t e d ? A l t h o u g h the q u e s t i o n of the subject is n o t the s a m e as the q u e s t i o n o f s u b j e c t i v i t y , i n D o l a r ' s essay i t n e v e r t h e l e s s r e m a i n s u n c l e a r h o w t h o s e t w o n o t i o n s are t o b e t h o u g h t together. T h e n o t i o n o f " s u b j e c t i v i t y " d o e s n o t h a v e m u c h p l a y i n A l t h u s s e r , e x c e p t p e r h a p s i n the c r i t i q u e o f s u b j e c t i v i s m ,

there is a step in the emergence of both the subject and the Other that Althusser leaves out and that can perhaps be best illustrated by Althusser's o w n example. To elucidate the transition between the external materiality of state apparatuses (institutions, practices, rituals, etc.) and the inferiority of ideological subjectivity, Althusser borrows a famous suggestion from Pascal, namely his scandalous piece of advice that the best way to become a believer is to follow the religious rituals. (88)

a n d i t i s u n c l e a r h o w that t e r m m i g h t b e t r a n s p o s e d o n t o

D o l a r refers to t h i s as a "senseless r i t u a l , " a n d t h e n reverses

the t e r m s h e uses. T h i s m a y b e D o l a r ' s c r i t i c a l p o i n t , n a m e l y ,

the A l t h u s s e r i a n a c c o u n t i n o r d e r t o e s t a b l i s h that the c r e e d

that there i s n o t e n o u g h o f a p l a c e f o r s u b j e c t i v i t y i n A l t h u s -

a n d the r i t u a l are the effects o f " a s u p p o s i t i o n , " that r i t u a l

ser's text. D o l a r ' s p r i m a r y c r i t i c a l c o n c e r n i s that A l t h u s s e r

f o l l o w s belief, b u t i s n o t its c o n d i t i o n o f p r o d u c t i o n . D o l a r

c a n n o t f u l l y t a k e i n t o a c c o u n t the " r e m a i n d e r " p r o d u c e d b y

u n d e r s c o r e s the i n a b i l i t y o f A l t h u s s e r ' s t h e o r y o f r i t u a l p r a c -

s u b j e c t i v a t i o n , the n o n - p h e n o m e n a l " k e r n e l o f i n f e r i o r i t y . "

tice t o a c c o u n t for the m o t i v a t i o n t o p r a y : " W h a t m a d e h i m

1 7

I n fact, D o l a r w i l l a r g u e that the d i s t i n c t i o n b e t w e e n the i n -

f o l l o w the r i t u a l ? W h y d i d he/she c o n s e n t t o repeat a series o f

t e r i o r a n d the e x t e r i o r i s p r o d u c e d t h r o u g h "the i n t r o j e c t i o n

senseless g e s t u r e s ? " (89).

of the object" (79). H e n c e , a p r i m a r y object is i n t r o j e c t e d , a n d

D o l a r ' s q u e s t i o n s are i m p o s s i b l e t o satisfy i n A l t h u s s e r ' s

that i n t r o j e c t i o n b e c o m e s the c o n d i t i o n o f p o s s i b i l i t y for the

t e r m s , b u t the v e r y p r e s u p p o s i t i o n s o f D o l a r ' s q u e s t i o n s c a n

subject. T h e i r r e c o v e r a b i l i t y o f that object is, thus, n o t o n l y the

be countered w i t h an Althusserian explanation. That Dolar

s u p p o r t i n g c o n d i t i o n o f the subject b u t the p e r s i s t e n t threat

p r e s u m e s a c o n s e n t i n g subject p r i o r to the p e r f o r m a n c e of

to its coherence. T h e L a c a n i a n n o t i o n of the R e a l is cast as the

a r i t u a l suggests that he p r e s u m e s a v o l i t i o n a l subject m u s t

first act of i n t r o j e c t i o n as w e l l as the subject's r a d i c a l l i m i t .

already be in place to give an account of motivation. But h o w

I n D o l a r , the i d e a l i t y o f t h i s k e r n e l o f i n f e r i o r i t y sets the

d o e s this c o n s e n t i n g subject c o m e t o be? T h i s s u p p o s i n g a n d

124

"Conscience D o t h M a k e Subjects of Us A l l "

Althusser's Subjection

125

c o n s e n t i n g subject a p p e a r s t o p r e c e d e a n d c o n d i t i o n the "en-

D o l a r m a k e s h i s o b j e c t i o n e x p l i c i t l y t h e o l o g i c a l b y suggest-

t r a n c e " i n t o the s y m b o l i c a n d , hence, the b e c o m i n g o f a s u b -

i n g that A l t h u s s e r ' s r e f o r m u l a t i o n o f the n o t i o n o f m a t e r i a l i t y

ject. T h e c i r c u l a r i t y i s clear, b u t h o w i s i t t o b e u n d e r s t o o d ? I s

t o i n c l u d e the d o m a i n o f i d e o l o g y i s t o o i n c l u s i v e , that i t leaves

it a f a i l i n g of A l t h u s s e r n o t to p r o v i d e the subject p r i o r to the

n o r o o m for a n o n - m a t e r i a l i z a b l e i d e a l i t y , the lost a n d i n t r o -

f o r m a t i o n o f the subject, o r d o e s h i s " f a i l u r e " i n d i c a t e o n l y that

jected object that i n a u g u r a t e s the f o r m a t i o n of the subject. It

the g r a m m a t i c a l r e q u i r e m e n t s o f the n a r r a t i v e w o r k a g a i n s t

remains unclear, however, precisely h o w D o l a r reads "materi-

the a c c o u n t of subject f o r m a t i o n that the n a r r a t i v e a t t e m p t s to

a l i t y " i n A l t h u s s e r , a n d w h e t h e r the r i t u a l a n d h e n c e temporal

p r o v i d e ? T o l i t e r a l i z e o r t o a s c r i b e a n o n t o l o g i c a l status t o the

d i m e n s i o n o f m a t e r i a l i t y i n A l t h u s s e r i s effaced i n f a v o r o f a

g r a m m a t i c a l r e q u i r e m e n t o f "the subject" i s t o p r e s u m e a m i -

r e d u c t i o n o f m a t e r i a l i t y t o the e m p i r i c a l l y o r s o c i a l l y g i v e n :

metic relation between g r a m m a r a n d ontology w h i c h misses the p o i n t , b o t h A l t h u s s e r i a n a n d L a c a n i a n , that the a n t i c i p a t i o n s o f g r a m m a r are a l w a y s a n d o n l y r e t r o a c t i v e l y i n s t a l l e d . T h e g r a m m a r that g o v e r n s the n a r r a t i o n o f subject f o r m a t i o n p r e s u m e s that the g r a m m a t i c a l p l a c e f o r the subject has a l r e a d y b e e n e s t a b l i s h e d . I n a n i m p o r t a n t sense, t h e n , the g r a m m a r that the n a r r a t i v e r e q u i r e s r e s u l t s f r o m the n a r r a t i v e itself. T h e a c c o u n t of subject f o r m a t i o n is t h u s a d o u b l e fict i o n a t c r o s s - p u r p o s e s w i t h itself, r e p e a t e d l y s y m p t o m a t i z i n g

This is also w h y Althusser's ardent insistence on materiality is i n sufficient: the Other that emerges here, the Other of the symbolic order, is not material, and Althusser covers up this non-materiality by talking about the materiality of institutions and practices. If subjectivity can spring up from materially following certain rituals, it is only insofar as those rituals function as a symbolic automatism, that is, insofar as they are governed by an "immaterial" logic supported by the Other. That Other cannot be discovered by scrutinizing materiality . . . what counts is ultimately not that they are material, but that they are ruled by a code and by a repetition. (89)

w h a t resists n a r r a t i o n . W i t t g e n s t e i n r e m a r k s , " W e s p e a k , w e utter w o r d s , a n d o n l y

T h i s last r e m a r k f o r m u l a t e s a n o p p o s i t i o n b e t w e e n m a t e r i -

later get a sense of t h e i r l i f e . " A n t i c i p a t i o n of s u c h sense g o v -

a l i t y a n d r e p e t i t i o n that a p p e a r s t o b e i n d i r e c t t e n s i o n w i t h

erns the " e m p t y " r i t u a l that i s s p e e c h , a n d e n s u r e s its i t e r -

A l t h u s s e r ' s o w n a r g u m e n t a t i o n . I f i d e o l o g y i s m a t e r i a l t o the

a b i l i t y . I n t h i s sense, t h e n , w e m u s t n e i t h e r first b e l i e v e b e f o r e

extent that it consists in a set of p r a c t i c e s , a n d p r a c t i c e s are

w e k n e e l n o r k n o w the sense o f w o r d s b e f o r e w e speak. O n the

governed by rituals, then materiality is defined as m u c h by

c o n t r a r y , b o t h are p e r f o r m e d " o n f a i t h " that sense w i l l a r r i v e

ritual and repetition as it is by more narrowly empiricist con-

i n a n d t h r o u g h a r t i c u l a t i o n i t s e l f — a n a n t i c i p a t i o n that i s n o t

c e p t i o n s . M o r e o v e r , the r i t u a l s o f i d e o l o g y are m a t e r i a l t o the

t h e r e b y g o v e r n e d by a g u a r a n t e e of n o e m a t i c s a t i s f a c t i o n . If

extent that t h e y a c q u i r e a productive c a p a c i t y a n d , in A l t h u s -

s u p p o s i n g a n d c o n s e n t i n g are u n t h i n k a b l e o u t s i d e o f the l a n -

ser's text, w h a t r i t u a l s p r o d u c e are subjects.

g u a g e o f s u p p o s i n g a n d c o n s e n t i n g , a n d t h i s l a n g u a g e i s itself

D o l a r e x p l a i n s that r i t u a l s p r o d u c e n o t subjects, b u t subjec-

a sedimentation of ritual forms —the rituals of C a r t e s i a n i s m —

t i v i t y , a n d c a n d o s o o n l y t o the extent that t h e y are t h e m s e l v e s

t h e n the act b y w h i c h w e m i g h t " c o n s e n t " t o k n e e l i s n o m o r e

governed by a s y m b o l i c or reiterative logic, a logic w h i c h is

a n d n o less r i t u a l i s t i c t h a n the k n e e l i n g itself.

i m m a t e r i a l . S u b j e c t i v i t y for D o l a r i s s a i d t o " s p r i n g u p f r o m

126

"Conscience D o t h M a k e Subjects of Us A l l "

Althusser's Subjection

127

m a t e r i a l l y f o l l o w i n g c e r t a i n r i t u a l s , " w h e r e the " s p r i n g i n g u p "

w o u l d w e p l a c e " i n t e r p e l l a t i o n " o n t h i s m a p p i n g o f the d i v i d e ?

i s n o t itself m a t e r i a l , b u t w h e r e the n o t i o n o f " f o l l o w i n g " a

Is it the v o i c e of the s y m b o l i c , is it the r i t u a l i z e d v o i c e of the

r i t u a l does h a v e a m a t e r i a l d i m e n s i o n . S u b j e c t i v i t y arises i m -

state, o r h a v e the t w o b e c o m e i n d i s s o l u b l e ? If, t o u s e D o l a r ' s

m a t e r i a l l y f r o m a material r i t u a l performance, but this can

t e r m , the s y m b o l i c a c q u i r e s its "existence" o n l y i n r i t u a l , t h e n

h a p p e n o n l y o n the c o n d i t i o n that a l o g i c p r e c e d e s a n d s u p -

w h a t establishes the i d e a l i t y o f that s y m b o l i c d o m a i n a p a r t

ports this r i t u a l performance, a n i m m a t e r i a l logic, one w h i c h

f r o m the v a r i o u s m o d e s o f its a p p e a r a n c e a n d i t e r a b i l i t y ?

e n c o d e s a n d reenacts the i d e a l i z i n g effects o f i n t r o j e c t i o n . B u t

R i t u a l takes p l a c e t h r o u g h r e p e t i t i o n , a n d r e p e t i t i o n i m p l i e s

h o w are w e t o d i s t i n g u i s h the r e p e t i t i o n p r o p e r t o r i t u a l a n d

the d i s c o n t i n u i t y o f the m a t e r i a l , the i r r e d u c i b i l i t y o r m a t e r i -

the r e p e t i t i o n p r o p e r t o the " s y m b o l i c a u t o m a t i s m " ?

ality to phenomenality. The interval by w h i c h any repetition

C o n s i d e r the i n s e p a r a b i l i t y o f t h o s e t w o r e p e t i t i o n s i n A l -

takes p l a c e d o e s not, s t r i c t l y s p e a k i n g , appear; it is, as it w e r e ,

t h u s s e r ' s d e s c r i p t i o n o f the m a t e r i a l i t y o f i d e a s a n d the i d e a l

the absence b y w h i c h the p h e n o m e n a l i s a r t i c u l a t e d . B u t t h i s

in ideology:

n o n - a p p e a r a n c e o r absence i s n o t f o r that r e a s o n a n " i d e a l i t y , "

Ideas have disappeared as such (insofar as they are endowed w i t h an ideal or spiritual existence), to the precise extent that it has emerged that their existence is inscribed in the actions of practices governed by rituals defined in the last instance by an ideological apparatus. It therefore appears that the subject acts insofar as he is acted by the following system (set out in the order of its real determination): ideology existing in a material ideological apparatus, prescribing material practices governed by a material ritual, w h i c h practices exist in the material actions of a subject acting in all consciousness according to his belief. 18

for it is b o u n d to the a r t i c u l a t i o n as its c o n s t i t u t i v e a n d absent necessity. T h e o l o g i c a l resistance to m a t e r i a l i s m is exemplified in D o l a r ' s e x p l i c i t defense o f L a c a n ' s C a r t e s i a n i n h e r i t a n c e ,

19

his i n -

sistance u p o n the p u r e i d e a l i t y o f the s o u l , yet the t h e o l o g i c a l i m p u l s e a l s o s t r u c t u r e s A l t h u s s e r ' s w o r k i n the f i g u r e o f the p u n i t i v e law. D o l a r suggests that, t h o u g h the l a w s u c c e s s f u l l y regulates its subjects, it c a n n o t t o u c h a c e r t a i n i n t e r i o r r e g i s ter o f l o v e : "there i s a r e m a i n d e r i n v o l v e d i n the m e c h a n i s m of i n t e r p e l l a t i o n , the left-over of the c l e a n c u t , a n d . . . t h i s r e -

Ideas exist " i n s c r i b e d " i n acts that are p r a c t i c e s r e g u l a t e d

m a i n d e r c a n b e p i n p o i n t e d i n the e x p e r i e n c e o f l o v e " (85). A

by rituals. C a n they appear any other way, a n d can they have

b i t f u r t h e r o n , h e asks, " C o u l d o n e say that l o v e i s w h a t w e

an "existence" outside of ritual? W h a t m i g h t it m e a n to re-

find beyond interpellation?"

t h i n k the m a t e r i a l n o t o n l y as r e g u l a t e d r e p e t i t i o n , b u t as a

H e r e l o v e is, i n D o l a r ' s w o r d s , a " f o r c e d c h o i c e , " s u g g e s t i n g

r e p e t i t i o n that p r o d u c e s a subject a c t i n g i n f u l l c o n s c i o u s n e s s

that w h a t h e e x p e c t e d f r o m the n o t i o n o f a subject w h o " c o n -

a c c o r d i n g t o h i s b e l i e f ? T h e subject's b e l i e f i s n o different f r o m

sents" t o k n e e l a n d p r a y i s a n a c c o u n t o f a " f o r c e d c o n s e n t " o f

P a s c a l ' s ; t h e y are b o t h the r e s u l t o f the r e p e t i t i o u s c o n j u r i n g

some k i n d . L o v e is b e y o n d interpellation precisely because it

that A l t h u s s e r calls " m a t e r i a l i t y . "

is understood to be compelled by an immaterial law —the sym-

D o l a r a r g u e s that A l t h u s s e r fails t o t a k e i n t o a c c o u n t the

b o l i c — o v e r a n d a b o v e the r i t u a l i s t i c l a w s that g o v e r n the v a r i -

d i s t i n c t i o n b e t w e e n m a t e r i a l i t y a n d the s y m b o l i c , b u t w h e r e

o u s p r a c t i c e s o f l o v e : " T h e O t h e r that e m e r g e s here, the O t h e r

128

Althusser's Subjection

"Conscience Doth M a k e Subjects of Us A l l "

129

o f the s y m b o l i c o r d e r , i s n o t m a t e r i a l , a n d A l t h u s s e r c o v e r s u p

d r i v e n b y a l o v e o f the l a w w h i c h c a n b e satisfied o n l y b y r i t u a l

t h i s n o n - m a t e r i a l i t y b y t a l k i n g a b o u t the m a t e r i a l i t y o f i n s t i -

p u n i s h m e n t . T o the extent that A l t h u s s e r gestures t o w a r d t h i s

t u t i o n s a n d p r a c t i c e s " (89). T h e O t h e r w h o i s lost, i n t r o j e c t e d ,

a n a l y s i s , h e b e g i n s t o e x p l a i n h o w a subject i s f o r m e d t h r o u g h

w h o i s s a i d t o b e c o m e the i m m a t e r i a l c o n d i t i o n o f the subject,

the p a s s i o n a t e p u r s u i t o f the r e p r i m a n d i n g r e c o g n i t i o n o f the

i n a u g u r a t e s the r e p e t i t i o n specific t o the s y m b o l i c , the p u n c -

state. T h a t the subject t u r n s r o u n d o r r u s h e s t o w a r d the l a w

t u a t e d f a n t a s y o f a r e t u r n that n e v e r i s o r c o u l d b e c o m p l e t e d .

suggests that the subject l i v e s in p a s s i o n a t e e x p e c t a t i o n of the

Let us p r o v i s i o n a l l y accept this p s y c h o a n a l y t i c account of

law. S u c h l o v e i s n o t b e y o n d i n t e r p e l l a t i o n ; rather, i t f o r m s the

subject f o r m a t i o n , c o n c e d e that the subject c a n n o t f o r m e x c e p t

p a s s i o n a t e c i r c l e i n w h i c h the subject b e c o m e s e n s n a r e d b y its

t h r o u g h a b a r r e d r e l a t i o n t o the O t h e r , a n d e v e n c o n s i d e r t h i s

o w n state.

b a r r e d O t h e r t o r e a p p e a r a s the i n t r o j e c t e d c o n d i t i o n o f s u b -

The failure of interpellation is clearly to be v a l u e d , but

ject f o r m a t i o n , s p l i t t i n g the subject at its i n c e p t i o n . E v e n so,

to f i g u r e that f a i l u r e in t e r m s that r e h a b i l i t a t e a s t r u c t u r e of

are there o t h e r f o r m s o f " l o s i n g " the O t h e r that are n o t i n t r o -

l o v e o u t s i d e the d o m a i n o f the s o c i a l r i s k s r e i f y i n g p a r t i c u -

j e c t i o n , a n d are there v a r i o u s w a y s o f i n t r o j e c t i n g that O t h e r ?

l a r s o c i a l f o r m s of l o v e as e t e r n a l p s y c h i c facts. It a l s o leaves

A r e these t e r m s n o t c u l t u r a l l y e l a b o r a t e d , i n d e e d , r i t u a l i z e d ,

u n e x p l a i n e d the p a s s i o n that p r e c e d e s a n d f o r m s c o n s c i e n c e ,

to s u c h a degree that no m e t a - s c h e m e of s y m b o l i c l o g i c es-

that p r e c e d e s a n d f o r m s the p o s s i b i l i t y o f l o v e , o n e that ac-

capes the h e r m e n e u t i c s o f s o c i a l d e s c r i p t i o n ?

c o u n t s for the f a i l u r e o f i n t e r p e l l a t i o n f u l l y t o c o n s t i t u t e the

S i g n i f i c a n t l y , t h o u g h s o c i a l i n t e r p e l l a t i o n s are d e s c r i b e d b y

subject i t n a m e s . I n t e r p e l l a t i o n i s " b a r r e d " f r o m success n o t

D o l a r a s a l w a y s " f a i l i n g " f u l l y t o c o n s t i t u t e subjects, n o s u c h

b y a s t r u c t u r a l l y p e r m a n e n t f o r m o f p r o h i b i t i o n (or f o r e c l o -

" f a i l u r e " seems a t w o r k i n the c o m p u l s o r y c h a r a c t e r o f l o v e .

sure), b u t b y its i n a b i l i t y t o d e t e r m i n e the c o n s t i t u t i v e h e l d o f

To the extent that p r i m a r y i n t r o j e c t i o n is an act of l o v e , it is,

the h u m a n . If c o n s c i e n c e is one f o r m that the p a s s i o n a t e at-

I w o u l d suggest, n o t a n act p e r f o r m e d o n l y once, b u t a r e -

t a c h m e n t t o existence takes, t h e n the f a i l u r e o f i n t e r p e l l a t i o n

i t e r a t e d a n d i n d e e d r i t u a l affair. B u t w h a t i s t o k e e p u s f r o m

i s t o b e f o u n d p r e c i s e l y i n the p a s s i o n a t e a t t a c h m e n t that a l s o

m a k i n g the a n a l o g y that w e f a l l i n l o v e i n m u c h the s a m e w a y

a l l o w s i t t o w o r k . A c c o r d i n g t o the l o g i c o f c o n s c i e n c e , w h i c h

w e k n e e l a n d p r a y , o r that w e m a y w e l l b e d o i n g o n e w h e n w e

f u l l y c o n s t r a i n s A l t h u s s e r , the subject's existence c a n n o t b e

t h i n k w e are d o i n g the o t h e r ?

l i n g u i s t i c a l l y g u a r a n t e e d w i t h o u t p a s s i o n a t e a t t a c h m e n t t o the

Yet D o l a r ' s s u g g e s t i o n that l o v e m i g h t b e " b e y o n d " i n t e r -

l a w . T h i s c o m p l i c i t y a t o n c e c o n d i t i o n s a n d l i m i t s the v i a b i l i t y

p e l l a t i o n i s a n i m p o r t a n t one. A l t h u s s e r w o u l d h a v e b e n e f i t e d

o f a c r i t i c a l i n t e r r o g a t i o n o f the l a w . O n e c a n n o t c r i t i c i z e t o o

f r o m a better u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f h o w the l a w b e c o m e s the o b -

far the t e r m s b y w h i c h one's existence i s s e c u r e d .

ject of p a s s i o n a t e a t t a c h m e n t , a s t r a n g e scene of l o v e . F o r the

B u t i f the d i s c u r s i v e p o s s i b i l i t i e s f o r existence e x c e e d the

c o n s c i e n c e w h i c h c o m p e l s the w a y w a r d p e d e s t r i a n t o t u r n

r e p r i m a n d v o i c e d b y the l a w , w o u l d that n o t l e s s e n the n e e d

a r o u n d u p o n h e a r i n g the p o l i c e m a n ' s a d d r e s s o r u r g e s the

t o c o n f i r m one's g u i l t a n d e m b a r k o n a p a t h o f c o n s c i e n t i o u s -

m u r d e r e r i n t o the streets i n s e a r c h o f the p o l i c e a p p e a r s t o b e

ness as a w a y to g a i n a p u r c h a s e on i d e n t i t y ? W h a t are the

T 130

Althusser's

"Conscience Doth M a k e Subjects of Us A l l "

131

Subjection

c o n d i t i o n s u n d e r w h i c h o u r v e r y sense o f l i n g u i s t i c s u r v i v a l

I n c o n c l u s i o n , A g a m b e n offers u s one d i r e c t i o n f o r r e t h i n k -

depends u p o n our willingness to t u r n back u p o n ourselves,

i n g ethics a l o n g the l i n e s of the d e s i r e to be, h e n c e , at a d i s -

that is, i n w h i c h a t t a i n i n g r e c o g n i z a b l e b e i n g r e q u i r e s self-

tance f r o m a n y p a r t i c u l a r f o r m a t i o n o f c o n s c i e n c e :

negation, requires existing as a self-negating b e i n g in order to a t t a i n a n d p r e s e r v e a status as " b e i n g " at a l l ? I n a N i e t z s c h e a n v e i n , s u c h a slave m o r a l i t y m a y b e p r e d i cated u p o n the s o b e r c a l c u l a t i o n that i t i s better t o " b e " e n s l a v e d i n s u c h a w a y t h a n n o t t o " b e " a t a l l . B u t the t e r m s that c o n s t r a i n the o p t i o n t o b e i n g v e r s u s n o t b e i n g " c a l l f o r " a n o t h e r k i n d o f r e s p o n s e . U n d e r w h a t c o n d i t i o n s does a l a w m o n o p o l i z e the t e r m s o f existence i n s o t h o r o u g h a w a y ? O r is t h i s a t h e o l o g i c a l f a n t a s y of the l a w ? Is there a p o s s i b i l i t y of

if human beings were or had to be this or that substance, this or that destiny, no ethical experience w o u l d be p o s s i b l e . . . . This does not mean, however, that humans are not, and do not have to be, something, that they are simply consigned to nothingness and therefore can freely decide whether to be or not to be, to adopt or not to adopt this or that destiny (nihilism and decisionism coincide at this point). There is in effect something that humans are and have to be, but this is not an essence nor properly a thing: It is the simple fact

of

one's

own

existence

as

possibility

or

potentiality.

20

being elsewhere or otherwise, w i t h o u t d e n y i n g our c o m p l i c i t y

A g a m b e n m i g h t b e r e a d a s c l a i m i n g that t h i s p o s s i b i l i t y

i n the l a w that w e o p p o s e ? S u c h p o s s i b i l i t y w o u l d r e q u i r e

m u s t r e s o l v e itself i n t o s o m e t h i n g , b u t c a n n o t u n d o its o w n

a different k i n d o f t u r n , o n e that, e n a b l e d b y the l a w , t u r n s

status a s p o s s i b i l i t y t h r o u g h s u c h a r e s o l u t i o n . O r , rather, w e

a w a y f r o m the l a w , r e s i s t i n g its l u r e o f i d e n t i t y , a n a g e n c y that

m i g h t r e r e a d " b e i n g " a s p r e c i s e l y the p o t e n t i a l i t y that r e m a i n s

o u t r u n s a n d c o u n t e r s the c o n d i t i o n s o f its e m e r g e n c e . S u c h

unexhausted by any particular interpellation. S u c h a failure of

a t u r n d e m a n d s a w i l l i n g n e s s not to b e — a c r i t i c a l desubjec-

i n t e r p e l l a t i o n m a y w e l l u n d e r m i n e the c a p a c i t y o f the subject

t i v a t i o n — i n o r d e r t o e x p o s e the l a w a s less p o w e r f u l t h a n i t

t o " b e " i n a s e l f - i d e n t i c a l sense, b u t i t m a y a l s o m a r k the p a t h

seems. W h a t f o r m s m i g h t l i n g u i s t i c s u r v i v a l t a k e i n t h i s d e -

t o w a r d a m o r e o p e n , even m o r e ethical, k i n d of b e i n g , one of

s u b j e c t i v i z e d d o m a i n ? H o w w o u l d one k n o w one's existence?

o r for the f u t u r e .

T h r o u g h what terms w o u l d it be recognized a n d recognizable? S u c h q u e s t i o n s c a n n o t b e a n s w e r e d here, b u t t h e y i n d i c a t e a d i r e c t i o n for t h i n k i n g that i s p e r h a p s p r i o r t o the q u e s t i o n o f c o n s c i e n c e , n a m e l y , the q u e s t i o n that p r e o c c u p i e d S p i n o z a , N i e t z s c h e , a n d m o s t r e c e n t l y , G i o r g i o A g a m b e n : H o w are w e to u n d e r s t a n d the d e s i r e to be as a c o n s t i t u t i v e d e s i r e ? R e s i t u ating conscience a n d interpellation w i t h i n such an account, we m i g h t then a d d to this question another: H o w is such a d e s i r e e x p l o i t e d n o t o n l y b y a l a w i n the s i n g u l a r , b u t b y l a w s o f v a r i o u s k i n d s s u c h that w e y i e l d t o s u b o r d i n a t i o n i n o r d e r t o m a i n t a i n s o m e sense o f s o c i a l " b e i n g " ?

Refused

Identification

133

c h o l i c i d e n t i f i c a t i o n i s c e n t r a l t o the p r o c e s s w h e r e b y the ego a s s u m e s a g e n d e r e d character. S e c o n d , I w a n t to e x p l o r e h o w t h i s a n a l y s i s o f the m e l a n c h o l i c f o r m a t i o n o f g e n d e r sheds l i g h t o n the p r e d i c a m e n t o f l i v i n g w i t h i n a c u l t u r e w h i c h c a n

Melancholy Gender / Refused Identification

m o u r n the loss o f h o m o s e x u a l a t t a c h m e n t o n l y w i t h great difficulty. Reflecting on his speculations in " M o u r n i n g and M e l a n c h o l i a , " F r e u d w r i t e s in The Ego and the Id that in the e a r l i e r essay h e h a d s u p p o s e d that " a n object w h i c h w a s lost has b e e n set u p a g a i n i n s i d e the e g o — t h a t is, that a n object-cathexis h a d b e e n r e p l a c e d b y a n i d e n t i f i c a t i o n . A t that t i m e , h o w e v e r , " h e c o n t i n u e d , " w e d i d n o t a p p r e c i a t e the f u l l s i g n i f i c a n c e o f this

I n grief the w o r l d b e c o m e s p o o r a n d e m p t y ; i n m e l a n c h o l i a i t i s the ego itself.

— Freud, "Mourning and Melancholia"

H o w i s i t t h e n that i n m e l a n c h o l i a the s u p e r - e g o c a n b e c o m e a gathering-place for the death instincts? — F r e u d , The Ego and the Id

p r o c e s s a n d d i d n o t k n o w h o w c o m m o n a n d h o w t y p i c a l i t is. S i n c e t h e n w e h a v e c o m e t o u n d e r s t a n d that t h i s k i n d o f s u b s t i t u t i o n has a great s h a r e i n d e t e r m i n i n g the f o r m t a k e n b y the ego a n d that i t m a k e s a n e s s e n t i a l c o n t r i b u t i o n t o w a r d b u i l d i n g u p w h a t i s c a l l e d its ' c h a r a c t e r ' " (p. 28). S l i g h t l y later i n the s a m e text, F r e u d e x p a n d s t h i s v i e w : " w h e n i t h a p p e n s that a

I

t m a y at first s e e m strange to t h i n k of g e n d e r as a k i n d of m e l a n c h o l y , or as o n e of m e l a n c h o l y ' s effects. B u t let us

r e m e m b e r that in The Ego and the Id F r e u d h i m s e l f a c k n o w l e d g e d that m e l a n c h o l y , the u n f i n i s h e d p r o c e s s o f g r i e v i n g , i s c e n t r a l t o the f o r m a t i o n o f the i d e n t i f i c a t i o n s that f o r m the ego. I n d e e d , i d e n t i f i c a t i o n s f o r m e d f r o m u n f i n i s h e d g r i e f are the m o d e s i n w h i c h the lost object i s i n c o r p o r a t e d a n d p h a n t a s m a t i c a l l y p r e s e r v e d i n a n d a s the ego. C o n s i d e r i n c o n j u n c t i o n w i t h t h i s i n s i g h t F r e u d ' s f u r t h e r r e m a r k that "the ego i s first a n d f o r e m o s t a b o d i l y e g o , "

1

not m e r e l y a surface, b u t

"the p r o j e c t i o n of a surface." F u r t h e r , t h i s b o d i l y ego a s s u m e s a g e n d e r e d m o r p h o l o g y , so that the b o d i l y ego is a l s o a g e n d e r e d ego. I h o p e first to e x p l a i n the sense in w h i c h a m e l a n -

p e r s o n has to g i v e up a s e x u a l object, there q u i t e o f t e n ensues an a l t e r a t i o n of h i s ego w h i c h c a n o n l y be d e s c r i b e d as a sett i n g u p o f the object i n s i d e the ego, a s i t o c c u r s i n m e l a n c h o l i a " (29). H e c o n c l u d e s t h i s d i s c u s s i o n b y s p e c u l a t i n g that " i t m a y b e that t h i s i d e n t i f i c a t i o n i s the sole c o n d i t i o n u n d e r w h i c h the i d c a n g i v e u p its objects . . . i t m a k e s i t p o s s i b l e t o s u p p o s e that the c h a r a c t e r of the ego is a p r e c i p i t a t e of a b a n d o n e d object-cathexes a n d that it c o n t a i n s the h i s t o r y of t h o s e objectc h o i c e s " (29). W h a t F r e u d h e r e calls the "character o f the e g o " a p p e a r s t o b e the s e d i m e n t a t i o n o f objects l o v e d a n d lost, the a r c h a e l o g i c a l r e m a i n d e r , as it w e r e , of u n r e s o l v e d grief. W h a t i s p e r h a p s m o s t s t r i k i n g a b o u t h i s f o r m u l a t i o n here i s h o w i t reverses h i s p o s i t i o n i n " M o u r n i n g a n d M e l a n c h o l i a " o n w h a t i t m e a n s t o r e s o l v e grief. I n the e a r l i e r essay, F r e u d

134

Melancholy Gender

Refused

Identification

135

a s s u m e s that g r i e f c a n be r e s o l v e d t h r o u g h a d e - c a t h e x i s , a

g e n d e r , are p r o d u c e d t h r o u g h m e l a n c h o l i c i d e n t i f i c a t i o n ? I t

b r e a k i n g o f a t t a c h m e n t , a s w e l l a s the s u b s e q u e n t m a k i n g o f

s e e m s clear that the p o s i t i o n s o f " m a s c u l i n e " a n d " f e m i n i n e , "

n e w a t t a c h m e n t s . In The Ego and the Id, he m a k e s r o o m f o r

w h i c h F r e u d , in Three Essays on the Theory of Sexuality (1905),

the n o t i o n that m e l a n c h o l i c i d e n t i f i c a t i o n m a y be a prerequisite

u n d e r s t o o d a s the effects o f l a b o r i o u s a n d u n c e r t a i n a c c o m -

for l e t t i n g the object go. B y c l a i m i n g t h i s , h e c h a n g e s w h a t i t

p l i s h m e n t , are e s t a b l i s h e d i n p a r t t h r o u g h p r o h i b i t i o n s w h i c h

m e a n s t o "let a n object go," for there i s n o f i n a l b r e a k i n g o f the

demand the loss of c e r t a i n s e x u a l a t t a c h m e n t s , a n d d e m a n d as

a t t a c h m e n t . T h e r e is, rather, the i n c o r p o r a t i o n o f the attach-

w e l l that those losses not be a v o w e d , a n d not be g r i e v e d . If the

m e n t as i d e n t i f i c a t i o n , w h e r e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n b e c o m e s a m a g i c a l ,

a s s u m p t i o n o f f e m i n i n i t y a n d the a s s u m p t i o n o f m a s c u l i n i t y

a p s y c h i c f o r m of p r e s e r v i n g the object. Insofar as i d e n t i f i c a -

p r o c e e d t h r o u g h the a c c o m p l i s h m e n t o f a n a l w a y s t e n u o u s

t i o n i s the p s y c h i c p r e s e r v e o f the object a n d s u c h i d e n t i f i c a -

h e t e r o s e x u a l i t y , w e m i g h t u n d e r s t a n d the force o f t h i s a c -

t i o n s c o m e t o f o r m the ego, the lost object c o n t i n u e s t o h a u n t

c o m p l i s h m e n t a s m a n d a t i n g the a b a n d o n m e n t o f h o m o s e x u a l

a n d i n h a b i t the ego a s o n e o f its c o n s t i t u t i v e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n s .

a t t a c h m e n t s or, p e r h a p s m o r e t r e n c h a n t l y , preempting the p o s -

T h e lost object is, i n that sense, m a d e c o e x t e n s i v e w i t h the ego

sibility of h o m o s e x u a l attachment, a foreclosure of p o s s i b i l i t y

itself. I n d e e d , o n e m i g h t c o n c l u d e that m e l a n c h o l i c i d e n t i f i c a -

w h i c h produces a d o m a i n of homosexuality understood as

t i o n p e r m i t s the loss o f the object i n the e x t e r n a l w o r l d p r e -

u n l i v a b l e p a s s i o n a n d u n g r i e v a b l e loss. T h i s h e t e r o s e x u a l i t y

c i s e l y b e c a u s e it p r o v i d e s a w a y to preserve the object as p a r t

i s p r o d u c e d n o t o n l y t h r o u g h i m p l e m e n t i n g the p r o h i b i t i o n

of the ego a n d , h e n c e , to avert the loss as a c o m p l e t e loss. H e r e

o n incest b u t , p r i o r t o that, b y e n f o r c i n g the p r o h i b i t i o n o n

w e see that l e t t i n g the object g o m e a n s , p a r a d o x i c a l l y , n o t f u l l

h o m o s e x u a l i t y . T h e o e d i p a l c o n f l i c t p r e s u m e s that h e t e r o -

a b a n d o n m e n t of the object b u t t r a n s f e r r i n g the status of the

s e x u a l d e s i r e has a l r e a d y b e e n accomplished, that the d i s t i n c t i o n

object f r o m e x t e r n a l t o i n t e r n a l . G i v i n g u p the object b e c o m e s

b e t w e e n h e t e r o s e x u a l a n d h o m o s e x u a l has b e e n e n f o r c e d ( a

p o s s i b l e o n l y o n the c o n d i t i o n o f a m e l a n c h o l i c i n t e r n a l i z a t i o n

d i s t i n c t i o n w h i c h , after a l l , has n o n e c e s s i t y ) ; i n t h i s sense, the

or, w h a t m i g h t f o r o u r p u r p o s e s t u r n o u t t o b e e v e n m o r e i m -

p r o h i b i t i o n o n incest p r e s u p p o s e s the p r o h i b i t i o n o n h o m o -

p o r t a n t , a m e l a n c h o l i c incorporation.

s e x u a l i t y , f o r it p r e s u m e s the h e t e r o s e x u a l i z a t i o n of desire.

If in m e l a n c h o l i a a loss is r e f u s e d , it is n o t f o r that r e a s o n

T o a c c e p t t h i s v i e w w e m u s t b e g i n b y p r e s u p p o s i n g that

a b o l i s h e d . I n t e r n a l i z a t i o n p r e s e r v e s loss i n the p s y c h e ; m o r e

m a s c u l i n e a n d f e m i n i n e are n o t d i s p o s i t i o n s , a s F r e u d s o m e -

p r e c i s e l y , the i n t e r n a l i z a t i o n o f loss i s p a r t o f the m e c h a n i s m

t i m e s a r g u e s , b u t i n d e e d a c c o m p l i s h m e n t s , ones w h i c h e m e r g e

o f its r e f u s a l . I f the object c a n n o l o n g e r exist i n the e x t e r n a l

i n t a n d e m w i t h the a c h i e v e m e n t o f h e t e r o s e x u a l i t y .

w o r l d , i t w i l l t h e n exist i n t e r n a l l y , a n d that i n t e r n a l i z a t i o n w i l l

F r e u d articulates a c u l t u r a l logic w h e r e b y gender is achieved

Here

be a w a y to d i s a v o w the loss, to k e e p it at bay, to stay or p o s t -

a n d stabilized through heterosexual positioning, and where

p o n e the r e c o g n i t i o n a n d s u f f e r i n g o f loss.

threats to h e t e r o s e x u a l i t y t h u s b e c o m e threats to g e n d e r itself.

Is there a w a y in w h i c h gender i d e n t i f i c a t i o n s or, rather,

T h e p r e v a l e n c e o f t h i s h e t e r o s e x u a l m a t r i x i n the c o n s t r u c t i o n

the i d e n t i f i c a t i o n s that b e c o m e c e n t r a l t o the f o r m a t i o n o f

o f g e n d e r e m e r g e s n o t o n l y i n F r e u d ' s text, b u t i n the c u l t u r a l

i 6

Melancholy Gender

3

f o r m s o f life that h a v e a b s o r b e d t h i s m a t r i x a n d are i n h a b -

Refused

Identification

t a c h m e n t s , t h e r e b y f o r c i n g the loss of those a t t a c h m e n t s .

137 2

If

i t e d b y e v e r y d a y f o r m s o f g e n d e r a n x i e t y H e n c e , the fear o f

the g i r l is to t r a n s f e r l o v e f r o m h e r father to a s u b s t i t u t e o b -

h o m o s e x u a l d e s i r e i n a w o m a n m a y i n d u c e a p a n i c that she i s

ject, she m u s t , a c c o r d i n g t o F r e u d i a n l o g i c , first r e n o u n c e l o v e

l o s i n g h e r f e m i n i n i t y , that she is n o t a w o m a n , that she is no

for h e r m o t h e r , a n d r e n o u n c e i t i n s u c h a w a y that b o t h the

l o n g e r a p r o p e r w o m a n , that if she is n o t q u i t e a m a n , she is

a i m a n d the object are f o r e c l o s e d . She m u s t n o t transfer that

l i k e one, a n d h e n c e m o n s t r o u s i n s o m e w a y . O r i n a m a n , the

h o m o s e x u a l l o v e o n t o a s u b s t i t u t e f e m i n i n e figure, b u t r e -

terror of h o m o s e x u a l desire m a y lead to a terror of being con-

n o u n c e the p o s s i b i l i t y o f h o m o s e x u a l a t t a c h m e n t itself. O n l y

strued as feminine, f e m i n i z e d , of no longer b e i n g p r o p e r l y a

o n t h i s c o n d i t i o n does a h e t e r o s e x u a l a i m b e c o m e e s t a b l i s h e d

m a n , o f b e i n g a " f a i l e d " m a n , o r b e i n g i n s o m e sense a f i g u r e

a s w h a t s o m e c a l l a s e x u a l o r i e n t a t i o n . O n l y o n the c o n d i t i o n

o f m o n s t r o s i t y o r abjection.

o f t h i s f o r e c l o s u r e o f h o m o s e x u a l i t y c a n the father a n d s u b s t i -

I w o u l d a r g u e that p h e n o m e n o l o g i c a l l y there are m a n y w a y s o f e x p e r i e n c i n g g e n d e r a n d s e x u a l i t y that d o n o t r e d u c e

tutes for h i m b e c o m e objects o f d e s i r e , a n d the m o t h e r b e c o m e the u n e a s y site of i d e n t i f i c a t i o n .

t o t h i s e q u a t i o n , that d o n o t p r e s u m e that g e n d e r i s s t a b i l i z e d

B e c o m i n g a " m a n " w i t h i n this l o g i c r e q u i r e s r e p u d i a t i n g

t h r o u g h the i n s t a l l a t i o n of a f i r m h e t e r o s e x u a l i t y , b u t for the

f e m i n i n i t y as a p r e c o n d i t i o n for the h e t e r o s e x u a l i z a t i o n of

m o m e n t I w a n t to i n v o k e this stark a n d h y p e r b o l i c construc-

s e x u a l d e s i r e a n d its f u n d a m e n t a l a m b i v a l e n c e . I f a m a n b e -

t i o n o f the r e l a t i o n b e t w e e n g e n d e r a n d s e x u a l i t y i n o r d e r t o

c o m e s h e t e r o s e x u a l b y r e p u d i a t i n g the f e m i n i n e , w h e r e c o u l d

t h i n k t h r o u g h the q u e s t i o n o f u n g r i e v e d a n d u n g r e i v a b l e loss

that r e p u d i a t i o n l i v e e x c e p t i n a n i d e n t i f i c a t i o n w h i c h h i s

i n the f o r m a t i o n o f w h a t w e m i g h t c a l l the g e n d e r e d c h a r a c t e r

h e t e r o s e x u a l career seeks t o d e n y ? I n d e e d , the d e s i r e for the

of the ego.

f e m i n i n e i s m a r k e d b y that r e p u d i a t i o n : h e w a n t s the w o m a n

C o n s i d e r that g e n d e r i s a c q u i r e d a t least i n p a r t t h r o u g h

h e w o u l d n e v e r be. H e w o u l d n ' t b e c a u g h t d e a d b e i n g her:

the r e p u d i a t i o n o f h o m o s e x u a l a t t a c h m e n t s ; the g i r l b e c o m e s

t h e r e f o r e he w a n t s her. She is h i s r e p u d i a t e d i d e n t i f i c a t i o n (a

a g i r l t h r o u g h b e i n g subject t o a p r o h i b i t i o n w h i c h b a r s the

r e p u d i a t i o n he s u s t a i n s as at o n c e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n a n d the object

m o t h e r a s a n object o f d e s i r e a n d i n s t a l l s that b a r r e d object a s

o f h i s desire). O n e o f the m o s t a n x i o u s a i m s o f h i s d e s i r e w i l l

a p a r t of the ego, i n d e e d , as a m e l a n c h o l i c i d e n t i f i c a t i o n . T h u s

b e t o elaborate the d i f f e r e n c e b e t w e e n h i m a n d her, a n d h e

the i d e n t i f i c a t i o n c o n t a i n s w i t h i n i t b o t h the p r o h i b i t i o n a n d

w i l l seek t o d i s c o v e r a n d i n s t a l l p r o o f o f that difference. H i s

the d e s i r e , a n d s o e m b o d i e s the u n g r i e v e d loss o f the h o m o -

w a n t i n g w i l l be haunted by a dread of being what he wants,

s e x u a l cathexis. If o n e is a g i r l to the extent that one does n o t

s o that h i s w a n t i n g w i l l a l s o a l w a y s b e a k i n d o f d r e a d . P r e -

want a girl, then wanting a g i r l w i l l bring being a girl into

cisely because what is r e p u d i a t e d a n d hence lost is preserved

question; w i t h i n this m a t r i x , h o m o s e x u a l desire thus panics

as a r e p u d i a t e d identification, this desire w i l l attempt to over-

gender.

come an identification w h i c h can never be complete.

Heterosexuality is cultivated through prohibitions, and

I n d e e d , h e w i l l n o t i d e n t i f y w i t h her, a n d h e w i l l n o t d e s i r e

these p r o h i b i t i o n s t a k e as one of t h e i r objects h o m o s e x u a l at-

a n o t h e r m a n . T h a t r e f u s a l t o d e s i r e , that s a c r i f i c e o f d e s i r e

i 8 3

Melancholy Gender

Refused

Identification

139

u n d e r the force o f p r o h i b i t i o n , w i l l i n c o r p o r a t e h o m o s e x u a l i t y

loss b y w h i c h s e x u a l f o r m a t i o n , i n c l u d i n g g a y s e x u a l f o r m a -

as an identification w i t h m a s c u l i n i t y But this m a s c u l i n i t y w i l l

tion, proceeds?

b e h a u n t e d b y the l o v e i t c a n n o t g r i e v e , a n d b e f o r e I suggest

I f w e a c c e p t the n o t i o n that the p r o h i b i t i o n o n h o m o s e x u -

h o w t h i s m i g h t b e t r u e , I ' d l i k e t o situate the k i n d o f w r i t i n g

a l i t y operates t h r o u g h o u t a l a r g e l y h e t e r o s e x u a l c u l t u r e as

that I h a v e b e e n o f f e r i n g as a c e r t a i n c u l t u r a l e n g a g e m e n t w i t h

one o f its d e f i n i n g o p e r a t i o n s , t h e n the loss o f h o m o s e x u a l o b -

p s y c h o a n a l y t i c t h e o r y that b e l o n g s n e i t h e r t o the fields o f p s y -

jects a n d a i m s (not s i m p l y t h i s p e r s o n o f the s a m e g e n d e r ,

c h o l o g y n o r t o p s y c h o a n a l y s i s , b u t w h i c h n e v e r t h e l e s s seeks

b u t any p e r s o n o f the s a m e g e n d e r ) w o u l d a p p e a r t o b e f o r e -

t o e s t a b l i s h a n i n t e l l e c t u a l r e l a t i o n s h i p t o those e n t e r p r i s e s .

c l o s e d f r o m the start. I say " f o r e c l o s e d " to suggest that t h i s is

T h u s far, I h a v e b e e n o f f e r i n g s o m e t h i n g l i k e a n exegesis

a p r e e m p t i v e loss, a m o u r n i n g for u n l i v e d p o s s i b i l i t i e s . If t h i s

o f a c e r t a i n p s y c h o a n a l y t i c l o g i c , o n e that a p p e a r s i n s o m e

l o v e i s f r o m the start o u t o f the q u e s t i o n , t h e n i t c a n n o t h a p -

p s y c h o a n a l y t i c texts b u t w h i c h these texts a n d others a l s o

p e n , a n d i f i t does, i t c e r t a i n l y d i d n o t . I f i t does, i t h a p p e n s

s o m e t i m e s contest. I m a k e n o e m p i r i c a l c l a i m s , n o r a t t e m p t a

o n l y u n d e r the o f f i c i a l s i g n o f its p r o h i b i t i o n a n d d i s a v o w a l .

survey of current psychoanalytic scholarship on gender, sexu-

W h e n c e r t a i n k i n d s o f losses are c o m p e l l e d b y a set o f c u l -

a l i t y , or m e l a n c h o l y . I w a n t m e r e l y to suggest w h a t I t a k e to be

t u r a l l y prevalent p r o h i b i t i o n s , we m i g h t expect a c u l t u r a l l y

3

some p r o d u c t i v e convergences between Freud's t h i n k i n g on

p r e v a l e n t f o r m o f m e l a n c h o l i a , o n e w h i c h s i g n a l s the i n t e r -

u n g r i e v e d a n d u n g r i e v a b l e loss a n d the p r e d i c a m e n t o f l i v i n g

n a l i z a t i o n o f the u n g r i e v e d a n d u n g r i e v a b l e h o m o s e x u a l ca-

i n a c u l t u r e w h i c h c a n m o u r n the loss o f h o m o s e x u a l attach-

thexis. A n d w h e r e there i s n o p u b l i c r e c o g n i t i o n o r d i s c o u r s e

m e n t o n l y w i t h great d i f f i c u l t y

t h r o u g h w h i c h s u c h a loss m i g h t b e n a m e d a n d m o u r n e d ,

T h i s p r o b l e m a t i c i s m a d e a l l the m o r e a c u t e w h e n w e c o n -

t h e n m e l a n c h o l i a takes o n c u l t u r a l d i m e n s i o n s o f c o n t e m p o -

s i d e r the r a v a g e s o f A I D S , a n d the task o f f i n d i n g a p u b l i c

r a r y c o n s e q u e n c e . O f c o u r s e , i t c o m e s a s n o s u r p r i s e that the

occasion a n d language in w h i c h to grieve this seemingly end-

m o r e h y p e r b o l i c a n d d e f e n s i v e a m a s c u l i n e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n , the

less n u m b e r o f deaths. M o r e g e n e r a l l y , t h i s p r o b l e m m a k e s

m o r e fierce the u n g r i e v e d h o m o s e x u a l cathexis. I n t h i s sense,

itself felt i n the u n c e r t a i n t y w i t h w h i c h h o m o s e x u a l l o v e a n d

we might understand both "masculinity" and "femininity" as

loss is r e g a r d e d : is it r e g a r d e d as a " t r u e " l o v e , a " t r u e " loss,

f o r m e d a n d c o n s o l i d a t e d t h r o u g h i d e n t i f i c a t i o n s w h i c h are i n

a l o v e a n d loss w o r t h y a n d c a p a b l e o f b e i n g g r i e v e d , a n d t h u s

p a r t c o m p o s e d o f d i s a v o w e d grief.

w o r t h y a n d capable of h a v i n g been lived? Or is it a love a n d

I f w e a c c e p t the n o t i o n that h e t e r o s e x u a l i t y n a t u r a l i z e s

a loss h a u n t e d by the s p e c t e r of a c e r t a i n u n r e a l i t y , a c e r t a i n

itself b y i n s i s t i n g o n the r a d i c a l o t h e r n e s s o f h o m o s e x u a l i t y ,

u n t h i n k a b i l i t y , the d o u b l e d i s a v o w a l o f the " I n e v e r l o v e d her,

then heterosexual identity is purchased through a melancholic

a n d I n e v e r lost her," u t t e r e d b y a w o m a n , the " I n e v e r l o v e d

i n c o r p o r a t i o n o f the l o v e that i t d i s a v o w s : the m a n w h o i n s i s t s

h i m , I n e v e r lost h i m , " u t t e r e d b y a m a n ? I s t h i s the " n e v e r -

u p o n the c o h e r e n c e o f h i s h e t e r o s e x u a l i t y w i l l c l a i m that h e

n e v e r " that s u p p o r t s the n a t u r a l i z e d s u r f a c e o f h e t e r o s e x u a l

n e v e r l o v e d a n o t h e r m a n , a n d hence n e v e r lost a n o t h e r m a n .

life as w e l l as its p e r v a s i v e m e l a n c h o l i a ? Is it the d i s a v o w a l of

T h a t l o v e , that a t t a c h m e n t b e c o m e s subject to a d o u b l e d i s -

140

Melancholy Gender

Refused

141

Identification

a v o w a l , a n e v e r h a v i n g l o v e d , a n d a n e v e r h a v i n g lost. T h i s

F r e u d goes o n t o c o n j e c t u r e that the c o n f l i c t w i t h the o t h e r

" n e v e r - n e v e r " t h u s f o u n d s the h e t e r o s e x u a l subject, as it w e r e ;

w h i c h r e m a i n s u n r e s o l v e d a t the t i m e the o t h e r i s lost r e -

i t i s a n i d e n t i t y b a s e d u p o n the r e f u s a l t o a v o w a n a t t a c h m e n t

e m e r g e s i n the p s y c h e a s a w a y o f c o n t i n u i n g the q u a r r e l . I n -

a n d , h e n c e , the r e f u s a l t o g r i e v e .

d e e d , anger at the o t h e r is d o u b t l e s s e x a c e r b a t e d by the d e a t h

There is perhaps a more culturally instructive w a y of des c r i b i n g this scenario, for it is not s i m p l y a matter of an

o r d e p a r t u r e w h i c h o c c a s i o n s the loss. B u t t h i s anger i s t u r n e d i n w a r d a n d b e c o m e s the s u b s t a n c e o f self-beratement.

i n d i v i d u a l ' s u n w i l l i n g n e s s t o a v o w a n d hence t o g r i e v e h o m o -

I n " O n N a r c i s s i s m , " F r e u d l i n k s the e x p e r i e n c e o f g u i l t w i t h

s e x u a l a t t a c h m e n t s . W h e n the p r o h i b i t i o n against h o m o s e x u -

the t u r n i n g b a c k i n t o the ego o f h o m o s e x u a l l i b i d o . P u t t i n g

a l i t y i s c u l t u r a l l y p e r v a s i v e , t h e n the " l o s s " o f h o m o s e x u a l

a s i d e the q u e s t i o n o f w h e t h e r l i b i d o c a n b e h o m o s e x u a l o r

love is precipitated through a p r o h i b i t i o n w h i c h is repeated

heterosexual, we m i g h t rephrase F r e u d a n d consider guilt as

a n d r i t u a l i z e d t h r o u g h o u t the c u l t u r e . W h a t ensues i s a c u l t u r e

the t u r n i n g b a c k i n t o the ego of h o m o s e x u a l a t t a c h m e n t . If the

of gender melancholy in w h i c h masculinity and femininity

loss b e c o m e s a r e n e w e d scene of c o n f l i c t , a n d if the a g g r e s s i o n

e m e r g e a s the traces o f a n u n g r i e v e d a n d u n g r i e v a b l e l o v e ;

that f o l l o w s f r o m that loss c a n n o t b e a r t i c u l a t e d o r e x t e r n a l -

i n d e e d , w h e r e m a s c u l i n i t y a n d f e m i n i n i t y w i t h i n the h e t e r o -

i z e d , t h e n i t r e b o u n d s u p o n the ego itself, i n the f o r m o f a

s e x u a l m a t r i x are s t r e n g t h e n e d t h r o u g h the r e p u d i a t i o n s that

super-ego. T h i s w i l l eventually lead F r e u d t o l i n k melancholic

they p e r f o r m . In opposition to a conception of sexuality w h i c h

i d e n t i f i c a t i o n w i t h the a g e n c y of the s u p e r - e g o in The Ego and

is s a i d to " e x p r e s s " a g e n d e r , g e n d e r itself is h e r e u n d e r s t o o d

the Id, b u t a l r e a d y i n " O n N a r c i s s i s m " w e h a v e s o m e sense o f

to be c o m p o s e d of precisely what remains inarticulate in sexu-

h o w guilt is wrought f r o m ungrievable homosexuality.

ality.

5

T h e ego i s s a i d t o b e c o m e i m p o v e r i s h e d i n m e l a n c h o l i a ,

If we u n d e r s t a n d gender m e l a n c h o l y in this way, then per-

b u t i t a p p e a r s a s p o o r p r e c i s e l y t h r o u g h the w o r k i n g s o f self-

h a p s w e c a n m a k e sense o f the p e c u l i a r p h e n o m e n o n w h e r e b y

b e r a t e m e n t . T h e e g o - i d e a l , w h a t F r e u d calls the " m e a s u r e "

h o m o s e x u a l desire becomes a source of guilt. In " M o u r n i n g

a g a i n s t w h i c h the ego i s j u d g e d b y the s u p e r - e g o , i s p r e c i s e l y

a n d M e l a n c h o l i a " F r e u d a r g u e s that m e l a n c h o l y i s m a r k e d

the i d e a l o f s o c i a l r e c t i t u d e d e n n e d o v e r a n d against h o m o -

b y the e x p e r i e n c e o f self-beratement. H e w r i t e s , "If o n e l i s -

s e x u a l i t y . " T h i s i d e a l , " F r e u d w r i t e s , "has a s o c i a l s i d e : i t i s

tens c a r e f u l l y t o the m a n y a n d v a r i o u s self-accusations o f the

a l s o the c o m m o n i d e a l of a f a m i l y , a class or a n a t i o n . It

m e l a n c h o l i c , o n e c a n n o t i n the e n d a v o i d the i m p r e s s i o n that

n o t o n l y b i n d s the n a r c i s s i s t i c l i b i d o , b u t a l s o a c o n s i d e r a b l e

often the m o s t v i o l e n t o f t h e m are h a r d l y a t a l l a p p l i c a b l e t o

a m o u n t o f the p e r s o n ' s h o m o s e x u a l l i b i d o , w h i c h i n t h i s w a y

the p a t i e n t h i m s e l f , b u t that w i t h i n s i g n i f i c a n t m o d i f i c a t i o n s

b e c o m e s t u r n e d b a c k i n t o the ego. T h e d i s s a t i s f a c t i o n d u e t o

t h e y d o fit s o m e o n e else, s o m e p e r s o n w h o m the p a t i e n t l o v e s ,

the n o n - f u l f i l l m e n t o f t h i s i d e a l liberates h o m o s e x u a l l i b i d o ,

has l o v e d or o u g h t to l o v e . . . the s e l f - r e p r o a c h e s are r e -

w h i c h i s t r a n s f o r m e d i n t o a sense o f g u i l t ( d r e a d o f the c o m -

p r o a c h e s a g a i n s t a l o v e d object w h i c h h a v e b e e n s h i f t e d o n t o

m u n i t y ) " (81).

the p a t i e n t ' s o w n e g o . "

4

B u t the m o v e m e n t o f t h i s " t r a n s f o r m a t i o n " i s n o t a l t o g e t h e r

142

Melancholy Gender

Refused Identification

143

clear. A f t e r a l l , F r e u d w i l l a r g u e in Civilization and Its Dis-

tion, but is paradoxically strengthened ("renunciation breeds

contents that these s o c i a l i d e a l s are t r a n s f o r m e d i n t o a sense

i n t o l e r a n c e " ) . R e n u n c i a t i o n d o e s n o t a b o l i s h the i n s t i n c t ; i t

of guilt t h r o u g h a k i n d of internalization w h i c h is not, u l t i -

d e p l o y s the i n s t i n c t for its o w n p u r p o s e s , s o that p r o h i b i t i o n ,

m a t e l y , m i m e t i c . I n " O n N a r c i s s i s m , " i t i s n o t that o n e treats

a n d the l i v e d e x p e r i e n c e o f p r o h i b i t i o n a s r e p e a t e d r e n u n c i a -

6

oneself as h a r s h l y as o n e w a s t r e a t e d b u t r a t h e r that the ag-

t i o n , i s n o u r i s h e d p r e c i s e l y b y the i n s t i n c t that i t r e n o u n c e s .

g r e s s i o n t o w a r d the i d e a l a n d its u n f u l f i l l a b i l i t y i s t u r n e d i n -

I n this s c e n a r i o , r e n u n c i a t i o n r e q u i r e s the v e r y h o m o s e x u a l i t y

w a r d , a n d t h i s s e l f - a g g r e s s i o n b e c o m e s the p r i m a r y s t r u c t u r e

that i t c o n d e m n s , n o t a s its e x t e r n a l object, b u t a s its o w n m o s t

o f c o n s c i e n c e : " b y m e a n s o f i d e n t i f i c a t i o n [the c h i l d ] takes the

t r e a s u r e d s o u r c e o f sustenance. T h e act o f r e n o u n c i n g h o m o -

u n a t t a c k a b l e a u t h o r i t y i n t o h i m s e l f " (86). I n this sense, i n m e l a n c h o l i a the s u p e r - e g o c a n b e c o m e a g a t h e r i n g p l a c e f o r the d e a t h i n s t i n c t s . A s s u c h , i t i s n o t n e c e s s a r i l y the s a m e as those i n s t i n c t s or t h e i r effect. In t h i s w a y , m e l a n c h o l i a attracts the d e a t h i n s t i n c t s t o the s u p e r - e g o , the d e a t h i n s t i n c t s b e i n g u n d e r s t o o d as a r e g r e s s i v e s t r i v i n g t o w a r d o r g a n i c e q u i l i b r i u m , a n d the self-beratement o f the s u p e r - e g o b e i n g u n d e r s t o o d t o m a k e u s e o f that r e g r e s s i v e s t r i v i n g for its o w n p u r p o s e s . M e l a n c h o l y i s b o t h the r e f u s a l o f g r i e f a n d the i n c o r p o r a t i o n o f loss, a m i m i n g o f the d e a t h i t c a n n o t m o u r n . Yet the i n c o r p o r a t i o n o f d e a t h d r a w s u p o n the

sexuality thus paradoxically strengthens homosexuality, but it s t r e n g t h e n s h o m o s e x u a l i t y p r e c i s e l y a s the p o w e r o f r e n u n c i a t i o n . R e n u n c i a t i o n b e c o m e s the a i m a n d v e h i c l e o f satisfact i o n . A n d i t is, w e m i g h t conjecture, p r e c i s e l y the fear o f sett i n g h o m o s e x u a l i t y l o o s e f r o m t h i s c i r c u i t o f r e n u n c i a t i o n that s o terrifies the g u a r d i a n s o f m a s c u l i n i t y i n the U . S . m i l i t a r y . W h a t w o u l d m a s c u l i n i t y " b e " w i t h o u t this aggressive circuit o f r e n u n c i a t i o n f r o m w h i c h i t i s w r o u g h t ? G a y s i n the m i l i t a r y threaten to u n d o m a s c u l i n i t y o n l y because this m a s c u l i n i t y is made of repudiated homosexuality.

7

S o m e s u g g e s t i o n s I m a d e in Bodies That Matter c a n f a c i l i 6

d e a t h i n s t i n c t s t o s u c h a d e g r e e that w e m i g h t w e l l w o n d e r

tate the t r a n s i t i o n f r o m the c o n s i d e r a t i o n o f m e l a n c h o l i a a s

w h e t h e r the t w o c a n b e s e p a r a t e d f r o m o n e a n o t h e r , w h e t h e r

a s p e c i f i c a l l y p s y c h i c e c o n o m y t o the p r o d u c t i o n o f the c i r -

analytically or phenomenologically.

c u i t r y o f m e l a n c h o l i a a s p a r t o f the o p e r a t i o n o f r e g u l a t o r y

T h e p r o h i b i t i o n o n h o m o s e x u a l i t y p r e e m p t s the p r o c e s s o f

p o w e r . If m e l a n c h o l i a d e s i g n a t e s a s p h e r e of a t t a c h m e n t that

g r i e f a n d p r o m p t s a m e l a n c h o l i c i d e n t i f i c a t i o n w h i c h effec-

i s n o t e x p l i c i t l y p r o d u c e d a s a n object o f d i s c o u r s e , t h e n i t

t i v e l y t u r n s h o m o s e x u a l d e s i r e b a c k u p o n itself. T h i s t u r n -

e r o d e s the o p e r a t i o n o f l a n g u a g e that n o t o n l y p o s i t s objects,

i n g b a c k u p o n itself i s p r e c i s e l y the a c t i o n o f self-beratement

b u t r e g u l a t e s a n d n o r m a l i z e s objects t h r o u g h that p o s i t i n g .

a n d g u i l t . S i g n i f i c a n t l y , h o m o s e x u a l i t y i s not a b o l i s h e d b u t p r e s e r v e d , t h o u g h p r e s e r v e d p r e c i s e l y i n the p r o h i b i t i o n o n h o m o s e x u a l i t y . In Civilization and Its Discontents, F r e u d m a k e s c l e a r that c o n s c i e n c e r e q u i r e s the c o n t i n u o u s sacrifice o r r e n u n c i a t i o n o f i n s t i n c t t o p r o d u c e the p e c u l i a r s a t i s f a c t i o n that conscience requires; conscience is never assuaged by renuncia-

If m e l a n c h o l i a a p p e a r s at first to be a f o r m of c o n t a i n m e n t , a w a y o f i n t e r n a l i z i n g a n a t t a c h m e n t that i s b a r r e d f r o m the w o r l d , i t a l s o establishes the p s y c h i c c o n d i t i o n s for r e g a r d i n g "the w o r l d " itself a s c o n t i n g e n t l y o r g a n i z e d t h r o u g h c e r t a i n k i n d s of foreclosures.

9

H a v i n g d e s c r i b e d a m e l a n c h o l y p r o d u c e d t h r o u g h the c o m -

144

Melancholy Gender

Refused Identification

145

p u l s o r y p r o d u c t i o n of heterosexuality, thus, a heterosexual

to what is barred f r o m performance, what cannot or w i l l not

m e l a n c h o l y that o n e m i g h t r e a d i n the w o r k i n g s o f g e n d e r

be performed.

itself, I w a n t n o w t o suggest that r i g i d f o r m s o f g e n d e r a n d

The relation between drag performances a n d gender per-

sexual identification, whether homosexual or heterosexual,

f o r m a t i v i t y in Gender Trouble goes s o m e t h i n g l i k e t h i s : w h e n a

a p p e a r t o s p a w n f o r m s o f m e l a n c h o l y . I w o u l d l i k e first t o re-

m a n i s p e r f o r m i n g d r a g a s a w o m a n , the " i m i t a t i o n " that d r a g

c o n s i d e r the t h e o r y of g e n d e r as p e r f o r m a t i v e that I e l a b o r a t e d

i s s a i d t o b e i s t a k e n a s a n " i m i t a t i o n " o f f e m i n i n i t y , b u t the

i n Gender Trouble, a n d t h e n t o t u r n t o the q u e s t i o n o f g a y m e l -

" f e m i n i n i t y " that h e i m i t a t e s i s n o t u n d e r s t o o d a s b e i n g itself

a n c h o l i a a n d the p o l i t i c a l c o n s e q u e n c e s o f u n g r i e v a b l e loss.

a n i m i t a t i o n . Yet i f o n e c o n s i d e r s that g e n d e r i s a c q u i r e d , that

T h e r e I a r g u e d that g e n d e r is p e r f o r m a t i v e , by w h i c h I

i t i s a s s u m e d i n r e l a t i o n t o i d e a l s w h i c h are n e v e r q u i t e i n -

m e a n t that n o g e n d e r i s " e x p r e s s e d " b y a c t i o n s , gestures, o r

habited by anyone, then f e m i n i n i t y is an ideal w h i c h everyone

s p e e c h , b u t that the p e r f o r m a n c e o f g e n d e r p r o d u c e s r e t r o -

a l w a y s a n d o n l y " i m i t a t e s . " T h u s , d r a g i m i t a t e s the i m i t a t i v e

a c t i v e l y the i l l u s i o n that there i s a n i n n e r g e n d e r core. T h a t is,

s t r u c t u r e o f g e n d e r , r e v e a l i n g g e n d e r itself t o b e a n i m i t a -

the p e r f o r m a n c e of g e n d e r r e t r o a c t i v e l y p r o d u c e s the effect of

tion. H o w e v e r attractive this f o r m u l a t i o n m a y have seemed, it

s o m e t r u e o r a b i d i n g f e m i n i n e essence o r d i s p o s i t i o n , s o that

d i d n ' t a d d r e s s the q u e s t i o n o f h o w c e r t a i n f o r m s o f d i s a v o w a l

o n e c a n n o t use a n e x p r e s s i v e m o d e l f o r t h i n k i n g a b o u t gen-

a n d r e p u d i a t i o n c o m e t o o r g a n i z e the p e r f o r m a n c e o f gender.

der. M o r e o v e r , I a r g u e d that g e n d e r is p r o d u c e d as a r i t u a l i z e d

H o w i s the p h e n o m e n o n o f g e n d e r m e l a n c h o l i a t o b e r e l a t e d

r e p e t i t i o n o f c o n v e n t i o n s , a n d that t h i s r i t u a l i s s o c i a l l y c o m -

t o the p r a c t i c e o f g e n d e r p e r f o r m a t i v i t y ?

p e l l e d i n p a r t b y the force o f a c o m p u l s o r y h e t e r o s e x u a l i t y . I n

M o r e o v e r , g i v e n the i c o n o g r a p h i e f i g u r e o f the m e l a n c h o l i c

t h i s c o n t e x t , I w o u l d l i k e t o r e t u r n t o the q u e s t i o n o f d r a g t o

d r a g q u e e n , o n e m i g h t ask w h e t h e r there i s n o t a d i s s a t i s f i e d

e x p l a i n i n clearer t e r m s h o w I u n d e r s t a n d p s y c h o a n a l y s i s t o

l o n g i n g i n the m i m e t i c i n c o r p o r a t i o n o f g e n d e r that i s d r a g .

b e l i n k e d w i t h g e n d e r p e r f o r m a t i v i t y , a n d h o w I take p e r f o r -

H e r e o n e m i g h t ask also after the d i s a v o w a l w h i c h o c c a s i o n s

mativity to be linked w i t h melancholia.

the p e r f o r m a n c e a n d w h i c h p e r f o r m a n c e m i g h t b e s a i d t o

It is n o t e n o u g h to say that g e n d e r is p e r f o r m e d , or that

enact, w h e r e p e r f o r m a n c e engages " a c t i n g o u t " i n the p s y c h o -

the m e a n i n g o f g e n d e r c a n b e d e r i v e d f r o m its p e r f o r m a n c e ,

a n a l y t i c sense. If m e l a n c h o l i a in F r e u d ' s sense is the effect of

w h e t h e r o r n o t one w a n t s t o r e t h i n k p e r f o r m a n c e a s a c o m -

an ungrieved loss,

10

performance, understood as "acting out,"

p u l s o r y s o c i a l r i t u a l . C l e a r l y there are w o r k i n g s o f g e n d e r that

m a y b e r e l a t e d t o the p r o b l e m o f u n a c k n o w l e d g e d loss. I f there

do not " s h o w " in what is p e r f o r m e d as gender, a n d to reduce

i s a n u n g r i e v e d loss i n d r a g p e r f o r m a n c e , p e r h a p s i t i s a loss

the p s y c h i c w o r k i n g s o f g e n d e r t o the l i t e r a l p e r f o r m a n c e o f

that i s r e f u s e d a n d i n c o r p o r a t e d i n the p e r f o r m e d i d e n t i f i c a -

g e n d e r w o u l d b e a m i s t a k e . P s y c h o a n a l y s i s i n s i s t s that the

t i o n , o n e w h i c h reiterates a g e n d e r e d i d e a l i z a t i o n a n d its r a d i -

o p a c i t y o f the u n c o n s c i o u s sets l i m i t s t o the e x t e r i o r i z a t i o n o f

c a l u n i n h a b i t a b i l i t y . T h i s is, t h e n , n e i t h e r a t e r r i t o r i a l i z a t i o n o f

the p s y c h e . It also a r g u e s — r i g h t l y , I t h i n k — t h a t w h a t is ex-

the f e m i n i n e b y the m a s c u l i n e n o r a s i g n o f the e s s e n t i a l p l a s -

t e r i o r i z e d o r p e r f o r m e d c a n o n l y b e u n d e r s t o o d b y reference

t i c i t y of gender. It suggests that the p e r f o r m a n c e a l l e g o r i z e s a

146

Melancholy Gender

Refused

Identification

147

loss i t c a n n o t g r i e v e , a l l e g o r i z e s the i n c o r p o r a t i v e f a n t a s y o f

l e s b i a n m e l a n c h o l i c i s the s t r i c t l y s t r a i g h t w o m a n , a n d the

m e l a n c h o l i a w h e r e b y a n object i s p h a n t a s m a t i c a l l y t a k e n i n

" t r u e s t " g a y m a l e m e l a n c h o l i c i s the s t r i c t l y s t r a i g h t m a n .

or on as a w a y of r e f u s i n g to let it go. G e n d e r itself m i g h t be u n d e r s t o o d i n p a r t a s the " a c t i n g o u t " o f u n r e s o l v e d grief.

W h a t d r a g d o e s e x p o s e , h o w e v e r , i s that i n the " n o r m a l " c o n s t i t u t i o n o f g e n d e r p r e s e n t a t i o n , the g e n d e r that i s p e r -

T h e a b o v e a n a l y s i s is a r i s k y o n e b e c a u s e it suggests that

f o r m e d i s c o n s t i t u t e d b y a set o f d i s a v o w e d a t t a c h m e n t s ,

f o r a " m a n " p e r f o r m i n g f e m i n i n i t y , o r for a " w o m a n " p e r f o r m -

i d e n t i f i c a t i o n s w h i c h c o n s t i t u t e a different d o m a i n o f the

i n g m a s c u l i n i t y (the latter is a l w a y s , in effect, to p e r f o r m a

" u n p e r f o r m a b l e . " I n d e e d , w h a t c o n s t i t u t e s the sexually u n p e r -

l i t t l e less, g i v e n that f e m i n i n i t y is cast as the s p e c t a c u l a r g e n -

f o r m a b l e m a y — b u t n e e d n o t — b e p e r f o r m e d as gender identifi-

d e r ) , there i s a n a t t a c h m e n t t o — a n d a loss a n d r e f u s a l o f — t h e

cation. T o the extent that h o m o s e x u a l a t t a c h m e n t s r e m a i n u n -

f i g u r e o f f e m i n i n i t y b y the m a n , o r the f i g u r e o f m a s c u l i n i t y b y

a c k n o w l e d g e d w i t h i n n o r m a t i v e h e t e r o s e x u a l i t y , t h e y are n o t

11

the w o m a n . I t i s i m p o r t a n t t o u n d e r s c o r e that, a l t h o u g h d r a g

m e r e l y constituted as desires w h i c h emerge a n d subsequently

i s a n effort t o n e g o t i a t e c r o s s - g e n d e r e d i d e n t i f i c a t i o n , c r o s s -

b e c o m e p r o h i b i t e d ; rather, these d e s i r e s are p r o s c r i b e d f r o m

g e n d e r e d i d e n t i f i c a t i o n i s n o t the o n l y p a r a d i g m for t h i n k i n g

the start. A n d w h e n t h e y d o e m e r g e o n the far s i d e o f the

about homosexuality, m e r e l y one a m o n g others. D r a g allego-

censor, t h e y m a y w e l l c a r r y the m a r k o f i m p o s s i b i l i t y w i t h

r i z e s s o m e set of m e l a n c h o l i c i n c o r p o r a t i v e fantasies that sta-

t h e m , p e r f o r m i n g , a s i t w e r e , a s the i m p o s s i b l e w i t h i n the p o s -

b i l i z e gender. N o t o n l y are a vast n u m b e r o f d r a g p e r f o r m e r s

sible. A s s u c h , t h e y w i l l n o t b e a t t a c h m e n t s that c a n b e o p e n l y

s t r a i g h t , b u t i t w o u l d b e a m i s t a k e t o t h i n k that h o m o s e x u -

g r i e v e d . T h i s is, t h e n , less a refusal to g r i e v e (the M i t s c h e r l i c h

a l i t y i s best e x p l a i n e d t h r o u g h the p e r f o r m a t i v i t y that i s d r a g .

f o r m u l a t i o n that accents the c h o i c e i n v o l v e d ) t h a n a p r e e m p -

W h a t d o e s s e e m u s e f u l i n t h i s a n a l y s i s , h o w e v e r , i s that d r a g

t i o n o f g r i e f p e r f o r m e d b y the absence o f c u l t u r a l c o n v e n t i o n s

e x p o s e s o r a l l e g o r i z e s the m u n d a n e p s y c h i c a n d p e r f o r m a t i v e

for a v o w i n g the loss o f h o m o s e x u a l l o v e . A n d this absence

practices by w h i c h heterosexualized genders f o r m themselves

p r o d u c e s a c u l t u r e o f h e t e r o s e x u a l m e l a n c h o l y , one w h i c h c a n

t h r o u g h r e n o u n c i n g the possibility of h o m o s e x u a l i t y , a fore-

b e r e a d i n the h y p e r b o l i c i d e n t i f i c a t i o n s b y w h i c h m u n d a n e

c l o s u r e w h i c h p r o d u c e s b o t h a f i e l d o f h e t e r o s e x u a l objects

heterosexual m a s c u l i n i t y a n d f e m i n i n i t y confirm themselves.

a n d a d o m a i n o f those w h o m i t w o u l d b e i m p o s s i b l e t o l o v e .

T h e s t r a i g h t m a n becomes ( m i m e s , cites, a p p r o p r i a t e s , a s s u m e s

D r a g t h u s a l l e g o r i z e s heterosexual melancholy, the m e l a n c h o l y

the status of) the m a n h e " n e v e r " l o v e d a n d " n e v e r " g r i e v e d ;

b y w h i c h a m a s c u l i n e g e n d e r i s f o r m e d f r o m the r e f u s a l t o

the s t r a i g h t w o m a n becomes the w o m a n she " n e v e r " l o v e d a n d

g r i e v e the m a s c u l i n e as a p o s s i b i l i t y of l o v e ; a f e m i n i n e g e n -

" n e v e r " g r i e v e d . I t i s i n t h i s sense, t h e n , that w h a t i s m o s t a p -

d e r i s f o r m e d ( t a k e n o n , a s s u m e d ) t h r o u g h the i n c o r p o r a t i v e

p a r e n t l y p e r f o r m e d a s g e n d e r i s the s i g n a n d s y m p t o m o f a

f a n t a s y b y w h i c h the f e m i n i n e i s e x c l u d e d a s a p o s s i b l e object

pervasive disavowal.

of love, an exclusion never grieved, but "preserved" t h r o u g h

G a y m e l a n c h o l i a , h o w e v e r , also c o n t a i n s a n g e r that c a n b e

h e i g h t e n e d f e m i n i n e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n . I n t h i s sense, the " t r u e s t "

t r a n s l a t e d i n t o p o l i t i c a l e x p r e s s i o n . It is p r e c i s e l y to c o u n t e r

148

Melancholy Gender

Refused

149

Identification

t h i s p e r v a s i v e c u l t u r a l r i s k o f gay m e l a n c h o l i a ( w h a t the n e w s -

a l i t y that is to s o m e d e g r e e an i d e n t i f i c a t i o n with a rejected

p a p e r s g e n e r a l i z e a s " d e p r e s s i o n " ) that there has b e e n a n i n -

h e t e r o s e x u a l i t y . I m p o r t a n t t o t h i s e c o n o m y , h o w e v e r , i s the r e -

sistent p u b l i c i z a t i o n a n d p o l i t i c i z a t i o n o f g r i e f o v e r t h o s e w h o

f u s a l to r e c o g n i z e t h i s i d e n t i f i c a t i o n that is, as it w e r e , a l r e a d y

h a v e d i e d f r o m A I D S . T h e N a m e s Project Q u i l t is e x e m p l a r y ,

m a d e , a r e f u s a l w h i c h a b s e n t l y designates the d o m a i n of a

r i t u a l i z i n g a n d r e p e a t i n g the n a m e itself a s a w a y o f p u b l i c a l l y

s p e c i f i c a l l y g a y m e l a n c h o l i a , a loss w h i c h c a n n o t b e r e c o g -

a v o w i n g limitless loss.

n i z e d a n d , hence, c a n n o t b e m o u r n e d . F o r a g a y o r l e s b i a n

12

Insofar as the g r i e f r e m a i n s u n s p e a k a b l e , the rage o v e r

i d e n t i t y p o s i t i o n t o s u s t a i n its a p p e a r a n c e a s c o h e r e n t , h e t e r o -

the loss c a n r e d o u b l e b y v i r t u e o f r e m a i n i n g u n a v o w e d . A n d

s e x u a l i t y m u s t r e m a i n i n that rejected a n d r e p u d i a t e d p l a c e .

i f that rage i s p u b l i c a l l y p r o s c r i b e d , the m e l a n c h o l i c effects

P a r a d o x i c a l l y , its h e t e r o s e x u a l remains m u s t be sustained p r e -

of such a p r o s c r i p t i o n can achieve suicidal proportions. The

c i s e l y t h r o u g h i n s i s t i n g o n the seamless c o h e r e n c e o f a s p e c i f i -

e m e r g e n c e o f c o l l e c t i v e i n s t i t u t i o n s for g r i e v i n g are t h u s c r u -

c a l l y g a y i d e n t i t y . H e r e i t s h o u l d b e c o m e c l e a r that a r a d i c a l

cial to s u r v i v a l , to reassembling c o m m u n i t y , to rearticulat-

r e f u s a l t o i d e n t i f y suggests that o n s o m e l e v e l a n i d e n t i f i c a t i o n

i n g k i n s h i p , t o r e w e a v i n g s u s t a i n i n g r e l a t i o n s . Insofar a s t h e y

has a l r e a d y t a k e n p l a c e , a n i d e n t i f i c a t i o n h a s b e e n m a d e a n d

i n v o l v e the p u b l i c i z a t i o n a n d d r a m a t i z a t i o n o f d e a t h — a s i n

d i s a v o w e d , w h o s e s y m p t o m a t i c a p p e a r a n c e i s the i n s i s t e n c e ,

the case o f " d i e - i n s " b y Q u e e r N a t i o n — t h e y c a l l for b e i n g

the o v e r d e t e r m i n a t i o n of the i d e n t i f i c a t i o n that is, as it w e r e ,

r e a d a s l i f e - a f f i r m i n g r e j o i n d e r s t o the d i r e p s y c h i c c o n s e -

w o r n o n the b o d y that s h o w s .

quences of a g r i e v i n g process c u l t u r a l l y thwarted a n d p r o scribed. M e l a n c h o l y can work, however, w i t h i n homosexuality in

T h i s raises the p o l i t i c a l q u e s t i o n o f the cost o f a r t i c u l a t i n g a coherent i d e n t i t y p o s i t i o n by p r o d u c i n g , e x c l u d i n g , a n d r e p u d i a t i n g a d o m a i n of abjected specters that t h r e a t e n the

specific w a y s that c a l l for r e t h i n k i n g . W i t h i n the f o r m a t i o n o f

a r b i t r a r i l y c l o s e d d o m a i n o f subject p o s i t i o n s . P e r h a p s o n l y

g a y a n d l e s b i a n i d e n t i t y , there m a y b e a n effort t o d i s a v o w

by r i s k i n g the incoherence of i d e n t i t y is c o n n e c t i o n p o s s i b l e , a

a constitutive relationship to heterosexuality. W h e n this dis-

p o l i t i c a l p o i n t that c o r r e l a t e s w i t h L e o B e r s a n i ' s i n s i g h t that

a v o w a l is u n d e r s t o o d as a p o l i t i c a l n e c e s s i t y in o r d e r to specify

o n l y the d e c e n t e r e d subject i s a v a i l a b l e t o d e s i r e .

g a y a n d l e s b i a n i d e n t i t y o v e r a n d against its o s t e n s i b l e o p p o -

not b e a v o w e d a s a c o n s t i t u t i v e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n for a n y g i v e n

site, h e t e r o s e x u a l i t y , that c u l t u r a l p r a c t i c e p a r a d o x i c a l l y c u l -

subject p o s i t i o n r u n s the r i s k n o t o n l y o f b e c o m i n g e x t e r n a l -

13

W h a t can-

m i n a t e s i n a w e a k e n i n g o f the v e r y c o n s t i t u e n c y i t i s m e a n t

ized in a degraded form, but repeatedly repudiated a n d sub-

to u n i t e . N o t o n l y does s u c h a strategy a t t r i b u t e a false a n d

ject to a p o l i c y of d i s a v o w a l .

m o n o l i t h i c status t o h e t e r o s e x u a l i t y , b u t i t m i s s e s the p o l i t i -

T h e l o g i c o f r e p u d i a t i o n that I've c h a r t e d h e r e i s i n s o m e

c a l o p p o r t u n i t y t o w o r k o n the w e a k n e s s i n h e t e r o s e x u a l

w a y s a h y p e r b o l i c theory, a logic in d r a g , as it were, w h i c h

s u b j e c t i v a t i o n a n d t o refute the l o g i c o f m u t u a l e x c l u s i o n b y

overstates the case, b u t overstates it f o r a r e a s o n . T h e r e is

w h i c h heterosexism proceeds. M o r e o v e r , a full-scale d e n i a l of

n o n e c e s s a r y r e a s o n for i d e n t i f i c a t i o n t o o p p o s e d e s i r e , o r

the i n t e r r e l a t i o n s h i p c a n c o n s t i t u t e a r e j e c t i o n of h e t e r o s e x u -

for d e s i r e t o b e f u e l e d b y r e p u d i a t i o n . T h i s r e m a i n s t r u e for

150

Melancholy Gender

heterosexuality a n d h o m o s e x u a l i t y alike, a n d for forms of b i s e x u a l i t y that t a k e t h e m s e l v e s t o b e c o m p o s i t e f o r m s o f e a c h . I n d e e d , w e are m a d e a l l the m o r e f r a g i l e u n d e r the p r e s s u r e o f s u c h r u l e s , a n d a l l the m o r e m o b i l e w h e n a m b i v a l e n c e a n d loss

| Keeping It M o v i n g

are g i v e n a d r a m a t i c l a n g u a g e i n w h i c h to d o t h e i r a c t i n g o u t .

Commentary on Judith Butler's "Melancholy Gender / Refused Identification" A D A M PHILLIPS

E n d s o f sentences a n d other pauses o n l y c o m e w h e n w e r u n out of time or hope. —Carolyn Creedon,

I

The Best American Poetry

f , a s F r e u d suggests, c h a r a c t e r i s c o n s t i t u t e d b y i d e n t i f i c a t i o n — t h e ego l i k e n i n g itself t o w h a t i t o n c e l o v e d — t h e n

character is close to caricature, an i m i t a t i o n of an i m i t a t i o n .

1

L i k e the artists P l a t o w a n t e d t o b a n , w e are m a k i n g c o p i e s o f c o p i e s , b u t u n l i k e P l a t o ' s artists w e h a v e n o o r i g i n a l , o n l y a n infinite succession of likenesses to someone w h o , to a l l intents a n d p u r p o s e s , does n o t exist. F r e u d ' s n o t i o n o f c h a r a c t e r i s a p a r o d y o f a P l a t o n i c w o r k o f art; h i s t h e o r y o f c h a r a c t e r form a t i o n through identification makes a m o c k e r y of character a s i n a n y w a y s u b s t a n t i v e . T h e ego i s a l w a y s d r e s s i n g u p for s o m e w h e r e t o go. Insofar a s b e i n g i s b e i n g l i k e , there c a n b e

152

Melancholy Gender

Refused Identification

n o p l a c e for T r u e selves o r c o r e g e n d e r i d e n t i t i e s . A f t e r a l l ,

153

lief that F r e u d t u r n e d t o m o u r n i n g , w h i c h s e e m e d t o r e v e a l

m y sense o f a u t h e n t i c i t y c a n c o m e o n l y f r o m the senses o f a u -

that the ego i s g r o u n d e d i n its r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h l o v e d a n d

t h e n t i c i t y i n m y c u l t u r e . I n t h i s context, m y T r u e Self i s m o r e

hated others. M o u r n i n g is i m m e n s e l y reassuring because it

a c c u r a t e l y d e s c r i b e d a s m y P r e f e r r e d Self (or Selves). I a m the

c o n v i n c e s u s o f s o m e t h i n g w e m i g h t o t h e r w i s e d o u b t ; o u r at-

p e r f o r m e r o f m y c o n s c i o u s a n d u n c o n s c i o u s preferences.

t a c h m e n t t o others. T h e p r o t r a c t e d p a i n f u l n e s s o f m o u r n i n g

4

L a c a n ' s m i r r o r - s t a g e is a t e s t a m e n t to the h a v o c w r e a k e d

c o n f i r m s s o m e t h i n g that p s y c h o a n a l y s i s h a d p u t i n t o q u e s t i o n :

by m i m e t i c forms of development; a n d M i k k e l Borch-Jacobsen

h o w i n t r a n s i g e n t l y d e v o t e d w e are t o the p e o p l e w e l o v e a n d

a n d L e o B e r s a n i i n p a r t i c u l a r h a v e e x p o s e d the v i o l e n c e a n d

hate. D e s p i t e the e v i d e n c e o f o u r d r e a m s , o u r c a p a c i t y for i n -

t a u t o l o g y o f F r e u d ' s t h e o r y o f i d e n t i f i c a t i o n , the m u t u a l i m -

finite s u b s t i t u t i o n i s meager. I n t h i s sense, m o u r n i n g has b e e n

plication and complicity involved in being like. As Judith

a b a l l a s t for the m o r e r a d i c a l p o s s i b i l i t i e s of p s y c h o a n a l y s i s . It

B u t l e r ' s s o b e r i n g essay s h o w s , t h i s c r i t i c a l c o n c e p t o f i d e n t i f i -

i s the r o c k , s o t o s p e a k , o n w h i c h P r o m e t h e u s f o u n d e r s .

2

c a t i o n i s the n e x u s for a n u m b e r o f c o n t e n t i o u s issues i n c o n -

It m i g h t at first s e e m m o r e a c c u r a t e to say that, f o r F r e u d , it

t e m p o r a r y theory; it invites us to w o n d e r what we use other

w a s the O e d i p u s c o m p l e x that b o t h c o n s t i t u t e d a n d set l i m i t s

p e o p l e for a n d h o w o t h e r t h e y are. I n fact, i t forces u s t o c o n -

t o the e x o r b i t a n c e o f the ego. B u t i t is, a s K l e i n has s h o w n ,

f r o n t the q u e s t i o n that e x e r c i s e d F r e u d a n d that object r e l a -

the m o u r n i n g e n t a i l e d i n the s o - c a l l e d r e s o l u t i o n o f the O e d i -

t i o n s a n d r e l a t i o n a l p s y c h o a n a l y s i s take for g r a n t e d ; i n w h a t

p u s c o m p l e x that c o n s o l i d a t e s the ego. W i t h o u t m o u r n i n g f o r

sense d o w e h a v e w h a t w e p r e f e r t o c a l l r e l a t i o n s h i p s w i t h

p r i m a r y objects t h e r e i s n o w a y o u t o f the m a g i c c i r c l e o f the

each other?

f a m i l y . I n d e e d , p a r t l y t h r o u g h the w o r k o f K l e i n , m o u r n i n g

W h e n F r e u d p r o p o s e d that the object w a s m e r e l y " s o l -

has p r o v i d e d the f o u n d a t i o n f o r d e v e l o p m e n t i n m o s t v e r s i o n s

d e r e d " o n t o the i n s t i n c t , that o u r p r i m a r y c o m m i t m e n t w a s

o f p s y c h o a n a l y s i s ; s o m u c h so, i n fact, that m o u r n i n g has ac-

t o o u r d e s i r e a n d n o t t o its target, h e i m p l i e d that w e are

q u i r e d the status o f a q u a s i - r e l i g i o u s c o n c e p t i n p s y c h o a n a l y -

n o t a t t a c h e d t o e a c h o t h e r i n the w a y s w e l i k e t o t h i n k .

3

sis. A n a l y s t s b e l i e v e i n m o u r n i n g ; i f a p a t i e n t w e r e t o c l a i m ,

F r e u d g l i m p s e d in the Interpretation of Dreams the ego's p o t e n -

a s E m e r s o n o n c e d i d , that m o u r n i n g w a s " s h a l l o w " h e o r she

tial for p r o m i s c u o u s m o b i l i t y ; dreams i n particular revealed

w o u l d be c o n s i d e r e d to be "out of t o u c h " w i t h s o m e t h i n g or

that p s y c h i c life w a s a s t o n i s h i n g l y m o b i l e a n d a d v e n t u r o u s

other. It is as t h o u g h a c a p a c i t y f o r m o u r n i n g , w i t h a l l that it

e v e n i f l i v e d life w a s n o t . ( V e r y f e w p e o p l e are a c t i v e l y b i -

i m p l i e s , c o n s t i t u t e s the h u m a n c o m m u n i t y . W e c a n n o m o r e

sexual yet everyone is p s y c h i c a l l y bisexual.) F r e u d h a d b o t h

imagine a w o r l d w i t h o u t bereavement than we can imagine a

t o e x p l a i n t h i s d i s p a r i t y — t h a t w e d o n o t h a v e the c o u r a g e ,

world without punishment.

as it were, of o u r p r i m a r y p r o c e s s — a n d also to f i n d a way,

I t h i n k that, s o m e w h a t a l o n g these l i n e s , J u d i t h B u t l e r i s

i n theory, o f g r o u n d i n g the F a u s t i a n ego, d e f i n i n g its l o y a l t i e s

t r y i n g t o u s e m o u r n i n g t o g i v e s o m e g r a v i t y , i n b o t h senses,

w h e n t h e y s o m e t i m e s s e e m e d u n r e l i a b l e . T h e ego c e r t a i n l y

to her exhilarating n o t i o n of gender as performative. W h a t

s e e m e d s h i f t y i n its a l l e g i a n c e s , a n d s o i t w a s w i t h s o m e r e -

is r e m a r k a b l e a b o u t h e r essay is that she m a n a g e s to do t h i s

154

M e l a n c h o l y Gender

Refused

Identification

*55

w i t h o u t the a r g u m e n t ' s d e g e n e r a t i n g i n t o the m o r e c o e r c i v e

p s y c h o a n a l y t i c c o m m u n i t y f o r a n ethos t o b e c r e a t e d i n w h i c h

p i e t i e s that t a l k a b o u t g r i e f u s u a l l y b r i n g s i n its w a k e . M o u r n -

p a t i e n t s w e r e e n c o u r a g e d t o m o u r n the loss o f a l l t h e i r r e -

ing makes moralists of us all. There w i l l never be m o r e gender

pressed gender identities?

identities than we can invent a n d p e r f o r m . We s h o u l d not be

T h e s e s e e m t o m e t o b e q u e s t i o n s o f c o n s i d e r a b l e interest,

c e l e b r a t i n g t h o s e p e o p l e , m a n y o f w h o m are p s y c h o a n a l y s t s ,

p r o v i d e d t h e y d o n o t e n t a i l the i d e a l i z a t i o n o f m o u r n i n g — i t s

w h o , i n the n a m e o f T r u t h , o r P s y c h i c H e a l t h , o r M a t u r i t y ,

u s e as a s p u r i o u s r e d e m p t i v e p r a c t i c e , as a k i n d of ersatz c u r e

seek t o l i m i t the r e p e r t o i r e .

for r e p r e s s i o n o r the a n g u i s h e s o f u n c e r t a i n t y . I f the c o n v i n c e d

I t i s n o w a c l i c h é , i n t h e o r y i f n o t i n p r a c t i c e , that a l l v e r -

h e t e r o s e x u a l m a n , i n B u t l e r ' s w o r d s , " b e c o m e s subject t o a

s i o n s o f g e n d e r i d e n t i t y are c o n f l i c t u a l a n d t h e r e f o r e p r o b l e m -

double disavowal, a never-having-loved and a never-having-

atic. W h a t B u t l e r i s p r o p o s i n g w i t h h e r n o t i o n o f a m e l a n c h o l i c

lost," the h o m o s e x u a l a t t a c h m e n t , i s i t t h e r e f o r e t o b e c o m e

identification, a "culture of gender melancholy in w h i c h mas-

i n t e g r a l t o the p s y c h o a n a l y t i c p r o j e c t t o a n a l y z e , o r e n g i n e e r

c u l i n i t y a n d f e m i n i n i t y e m e r g e a s the traces o f a n u n g r i e v e d

the u n d o i n g o f t h i s d i s a v o w a l i f the h e t e r o s e x u a l m a n c l a i m s

a n d ungrievable love," is a n e w version of an o l d question

t o b e r e l a t i v e l y u n t r o u b l e d b y it? T o m e , the a b s o l u t e p l a u s i -

a b o u t g e n d e r i d e n t i t y . W h y are h o m o s e x u a l a t t a c h m e n t s —

b i l i t y of Butler's argument poses some telling c l i n i c a l q u a n -

the i n a p p r o p r i a t e l y n a m e d " n e g a t i v e " O e d i p u s c o m p l e x — d e -

d a r i e s . W h o , for e x a m p l e , d e c i d e s w h a t c o n s t i t u t e s a p r o b l e m

scribed, even if not o r i g i n a l l y experienced, aversively? W h y

f o r the p a t i e n t ? A n d b y w h a t c r i t e r i a ? A s s u m e d h e t e r o s e x u -

are these m a n i f e s t l y p a s s i o n a t e l o v e s d i s a v o w e d , m a d e u n -

ality is every bit as m u c h of a " p r o b l e m " as any other a s s u m e d

mournable, repudiated, a n d then punished w h e n witnessed

p o s i t i o n (all s y m p t o m s , after a l l , are states o f c o n v i c t i o n ) . C e r -

i n others? A t the least, i t s e e m s c l e a r f r o m B u t l e r ' s c o n v i n c -

t a i n l y B u t l e r ' s p a p e r r e m i n d s u s o f the cost, the d e p r i v a t i o n , i n

i n g a c c o u n t that the c u l t u r a l l y p e r v a s i v e h o s t i l i t y — b o t h i n t e r -

a l l g e n d e r i d e n t i t i e s , n o t t o m e n t i o n the t e r r o r i n f o r m i n g these

a n d i n t r a p s y c h i c a l l y — t o h o m o s e x u a l i t y i s b a s e d o n envy. I f

desperate measures. "There is," Butler writes, "no necessary

some heterosexuals in p r e - A i D S times were explicitly envious

r e a s o n for i d e n t i f i c a t i o n t o o p p o s e d e s i r e , o r f o r d e s i r e t o b e

o f the p r o m i s c u i t y o f h o m o s e x u a l s — w h y c a n ' t W E c r u i s e ? —

f u e l e d b y r e p u d i a t i o n . " B u t t h e r e is, o f c o u r s e , a n e c e s s a r y r e a -

h e t e r o s e x u a l s n o w m a y b e m o r e l i k e l y t o e n v y s i m p l y the i n t i -

son by a certain k i n d of psychoanalytic logic. In Freud's view,

m a c y that s o m e p e o p l e are free t o i n d u l g e a n d elaborate w i t h

we become what we cannot have, a n d we desire (and punish)

p e o p l e o f the s a m e sex. B u t if, a s B u t l e r suggests, " m a s c u -

w h a t w e are c o m p e l l e d t o d i s o w n . B u t w h y these c h o i c e s —

l i n i t y " a n d " f e m i n i n i t y " are f o r m e d a n d c o n s o l i d a t e d t h r o u g h

w h y c a n ' t w e d o b o t h a n d s o m e t h i n g else a s w e l l ? — a n d w h y

i d e n t i f i c a t i o n s that are c o m p o s e d i n p a r t o f d i s a v o w e d grief,

are t h e y the c h o i c e s ?

w h a t w o u l d i t b e l i k e t o l i v e i n a w o r l d that a c k n o w l e d g e d

T h e s e are the i s s u e s o p e n e d u p i n B u t l e r ' s Gender Trouble.

a n d s a n c t i o n e d s u c h grief, that a l l o w e d us, a s i t w e r e , the f u l l

The essentially performative, constructed nature of gender

course of our bereavement of d i s o w n e d or renounced gen-

i d e n t i t y m a k e s a l l c o n s t r a i n t s o f the r e p e r t o i r e s e e m f a c t i t i o u s

d e r i d e n t i t i e s ? W h a t w o u l d h a v e t o h a p p e n i n the s o - c a l l e d

a n d u n n e c e s s a r i l y o p p r e s s i v e . B u t just a s e v e r y p e r f o r m a n c e i s

154

M e l a n c h o l y Gender

Refused

Identification

*55

w i t h o u t the a r g u m e n t ' s d e g e n e r a t i n g i n t o the m o r e c o e r c i v e

p s y c h o a n a l y t i c c o m m u n i t y for a n ethos t o b e c r e a t e d i n w h i c h

p i e t i e s that t a l k a b o u t g r i e f u s u a l l y b r i n g s i n its w a k e . M o u r n -

p a t i e n t s w e r e e n c o u r a g e d t o m o u r n the loss o f a l l t h e i r r e -

i n g makes moralists of us all. There w i l l never be m o r e gender

pressed gender identities?

identities than we can invent a n d p e r f o r m . We s h o u l d not be

T h e s e s e e m t o m e t o b e q u e s t i o n s o f c o n s i d e r a b l e interest,

c e l e b r a t i n g t h o s e p e o p l e , m a n y o f w h o m are p s y c h o a n a l y s t s ,

p r o v i d e d t h e y d o n o t e n t a i l the i d e a l i z a t i o n o f m o u r n i n g — i t s

w h o , i n the n a m e o f T r u t h , o r P s y c h i c H e a l t h , o r M a t u r i t y ,

u s e as a s p u r i o u s r e d e m p t i v e p r a c t i c e , as a k i n d of ersatz c u r e

seek t o l i m i t the r e p e r t o i r e .

for r e p r e s s i o n o r the a n g u i s h e s o f u n c e r t a i n t y . I f the c o n v i n c e d

I t i s n o w a c l i c h é , i n t h e o r y i f n o t i n p r a c t i c e , that a l l v e r -

h e t e r o s e x u a l m a n , i n B u t l e r ' s w o r d s , " b e c o m e s subject t o a

s i o n s o f g e n d e r i d e n t i t y are c o n f l i c t u a l a n d t h e r e f o r e p r o b l e m -

double disavowal, a never-having-loved and a never-having-

atic. W h a t B u t l e r i s p r o p o s i n g w i t h h e r n o t i o n o f a m e l a n c h o l i c

lost," the h o m o s e x u a l a t t a c h m e n t , i s i t t h e r e f o r e t o b e c o m e

identification, a "culture of gender melancholy in w h i c h mas-

i n t e g r a l t o the p s y c h o a n a l y t i c p r o j e c t t o a n a l y z e , o r e n g i n e e r

c u l i n i t y a n d f e m i n i n i t y e m e r g e a s the traces o f a n u n g r i e v e d

the u n d o i n g o f t h i s d i s a v o w a l i f the h e t e r o s e x u a l m a n c l a i m s

a n d ungrievable love," is a n e w version of an o l d question

t o b e r e l a t i v e l y u n t r o u b l e d b y it? T o m e , the a b s o l u t e p l a u s i -

a b o u t g e n d e r i d e n t i t y . W h y are h o m o s e x u a l a t t a c h m e n t s —

b i l i t y of Butler's argument poses some telling c l i n i c a l q u a n -

the i n a p p r o p r i a t e l y n a m e d " n e g a t i v e " O e d i p u s c o m p l e x — d e -

daries. W h o , for example, decides w h a t constitutes a p r o b l e m

scribed, even if not o r i g i n a l l y experienced, aversively? W h y

for the p a t i e n t ? A n d b y w h a t c r i t e r i a ? A s s u m e d h e t e r o s e x u -

are these m a n i f e s t l y p a s s i o n a t e l o v e s d i s a v o w e d , m a d e u n -

a l i t y is every bit as m u c h of a " p r o b l e m " as any other a s s u m e d

mournable, repudiated, a n d then punished w h e n witnessed

p o s i t i o n (all s y m p t o m s , after a l l , are states o f c o n v i c t i o n ) . C e r -

i n o t h e r s ? A t the least, i t s e e m s c l e a r f r o m B u t l e r ' s c o n v i n c -

t a i n l y B u t l e r ' s p a p e r r e m i n d s u s o f the cost, the d e p r i v a t i o n , i n

i n g a c c o u n t that the c u l t u r a l l y p e r v a s i v e h o s t i l i t y — b o t h i n t e r -

a l l g e n d e r i d e n t i t i e s , n o t t o m e n t i o n the t e r r o r i n f o r m i n g these

a n d i n t r a p s y c h i c a l l y — t o h o m o s e x u a l i t y i s b a s e d o n envy. I f

desperate measures. "There is," Butler writes, "no necessary

some heterosexuals in p r e - A i D S times were explicitly envious

r e a s o n for i d e n t i f i c a t i o n t o o p p o s e d e s i r e , o r f o r d e s i r e t o b e

o f the p r o m i s c u i t y o f h o m o s e x u a l s — w h y c a n ' t W E c r u i s e ? —

f u e l e d b y r e p u d i a t i o n . " B u t there is, o f c o u r s e , a n e c e s s a r y r e a -

h e t e r o s e x u a l s n o w m a y b e m o r e l i k e l y t o e n v y s i m p l y the i n t i -

son by a certain k i n d of psychoanalytic logic. In Freud's view,

m a c y that s o m e p e o p l e are free t o i n d u l g e a n d elaborate w i t h

we become what we cannot have, a n d we desire (and punish)

p e o p l e o f the s a m e sex. B u t if, a s B u t l e r suggests, " m a s c u -

w h a t w e are c o m p e l l e d t o d i s o w n . B u t w h y these c h o i c e s —

l i n i t y " a n d " f e m i n i n i t y " are f o r m e d a n d c o n s o l i d a t e d t h r o u g h

w h y c a n ' t w e d o b o t h a n d s o m e t h i n g else a s w e l l ? — a n d w h y

i d e n t i f i c a t i o n s that are c o m p o s e d i n p a r t o f d i s a v o w e d grief,

are t h e y the c h o i c e s ?

w h a t w o u l d i t b e l i k e t o l i v e i n a w o r l d that a c k n o w l e d g e d

T h e s e are the i s s u e s o p e n e d u p i n B u t l e r ' s Gender Trouble.

a n d s a n c t i o n e d s u c h grief, that a l l o w e d u s , a s i t w e r e , the f u l l

The essentially performative, constructed nature of gender

course of our bereavement of d i s o w n e d or renounced gen-

i d e n t i t y m a k e s a l l c o n s t r a i n t s o f the r e p e r t o i r e s e e m f a c t i t i o u s

d e r i d e n t i t i e s ? W h a t w o u l d h a v e t o h a p p e n i n the s o - c a l l e d

a n d u n n e c e s s a r i l y o p p r e s s i v e . B u t just a s e v e r y p e r f o r m a n c e i s

Melancholy Gender

i 6 5

Refused

Identification

*57

s u b s i d i z e d b y a n i n h i b i t i o n e l s e w h e r e , s o there i s n o i d e n t i t y ,

too c o n s c i o u s o f the c o n s t r a i n t s , the u n c o n s c i o u s c o n s t r a i n t s ,

h o w e v e r c o m p e l l i n g the p e r f o r m a n c e , w i t h o u t s u f f e r i n g . I f the

o n p o s s i b i l i t y that are c a l l e d s y m p t o m s ( a n d f r o m a different

i d e a o f p e r f o r m a n c e frees i d e n t i t y i n t o states o f ( s o m e t i m e s

p e r s p e c t i v e are c a l l e d the O e d i p u s c o m p l e x ) . B u t , o f c o u r s e ,

w i l l e d ) p o s s i b i l i t y , m o u r n i n g refers those s a m e i d e n t i t i e s b a c k

w h a t i s p o s s i b l e i n a n a l y s i s , o r a n y w h e r e else, i s d i c t a t e d

to their unconscious histories, w i t h their repetitions a n d their

b y o u r t h e o r e t i c a l p a r a d i g m s , b y the l a n g u a g e s w e c h o o s e

w a s t e ; those p a r a m e t e r s that s e e m i n g l y t h w a r t o u r o p t i o n s .

t o s p e a k a b o u t o u r p r a c t i c e . D e s p i t e boasts t o the c o n t r a r y

M o u r n i n g a n d p e r f o r m a n c e — a n d the p e r f o r m a n c e s that c o n -

— p s y c h o a n a l y s i s , the I m p o s s i b l e P r o f e s s i o n a n d the l i k e —

s t i t u t e o u r sense o f m o u r n i n g — s e e m u s e f u l l y t w i n n e d . W i t h -

p s y c h o a n a l y s i s i s o n l y a s d i f f i c u l t a s w e m a k e it.

o u t the i d e a o f p e r f o r m a n c e , m o u r n i n g b e c o m e s l i t e r a l i z e d a s

F r o m a clinical point of view, Butler's initial political vol-

T r u t h — o u r d e e p e s t act; w i t h o u t the i d e a o f m o u r n i n g , p e r -

u n t a r i s m i n Gender Trouble w o u l d h a v e m a d e a n a l y s t s w a r y .

f o r m a n c e b e c o m e s a n e x c e s s i v e d e m a n d — p r e t e n d there's n o

B u t there i s n o o b v i o u s r e a s o n w h y a n a l y s t s i n t h e i r p r a c t i c e

unconscious, then pretend what y o u like. "I believe in all sin-

h a v e t o b e less i m a g i n a t i v e t h a n B u t l e r i s a s k i n g t h e m t o b e

cerity," V a l é r y w r o t e , "that i f e a c h m a n w e r e n o t able t o l i v e a

i n " M e l a n c h o l y G e n d e r . " T h e a n a l y s t w h o b e l i e v e s i n the u n -

n u m b e r o f l i v e s b e s i d e h i s o w n , h e w o u l d n o t b e able t o l i v e h i s

c o n s c i o u s c a n h a r d l y set h i m s e l f up as a r e p r e s e n t a t i v e of the

o w n life." Valéry 's ironic s i n c e r i t y — f r o m w h i c h of his lives is

a u t h e n t i c life e v e n t h o u g h the l a n g u a g e h e uses t o t a l k a b o u t

he s p e a k i n g ? — i n v i t e s us, l i k e Butler, to m u l t i p l y o u r versions

h i s job i s f u l l o f the j a r g o n o f a u t h e n t i c i t y ( i n t e g r i t y , h o n e s t y ,

o f self a s s o m e k i n d o f p s y c h i c n e c e s s i t y ; a s t h o u g h w e m i g h t

t r u t h , self, i n s t i n c t ) . T h e l a n g u a g e o f p e r f o r m a n c e m a y b e too

n o t b e able t o bear the loss o f n o t d o i n g so. B u t h o w m a n y

easy t o d i s m i s s c l i n i c a l l y a s e v a s i v e , i n a w a y that i s b l i n d t o

5

l i v e s c a n the a n a l y s t r e c o g n i z e i n , o r d e m a n d of, h i s p a t i e n t ,

the t h e a t r i c a l i t y o f the a n a l y t i c s i t u a t i o n . B u t l e r ' s u s e o f i d e n t i -

a n d w h a t are the c o n s t r a i n t s o n t h i s r e c o g n i t i o n that s o e a s i l y

f i c a t i o n p u t s the n o t i o n o f the p e r f o r m a t i v e b a c k i n t o the a n a -

becomes a demand?

l y t i c f r a m e ; w h a t i s m o r e s u r p r i s i n g i s that she has b e e n able

I n a n a l y s i s , o f c o u r s e , i t i s n o t o n l y the p a t i e n t ' s g e n d e r

to use m o u r n i n g as a w a y of n u a n c i n g the t h e a t r i c a l i t y that

i d e n t i t i e s that are a t stake. B o t h the a n a l y s t a n d h e r p a t i e n t are

is integral to our m a k i n g of identities, our m a k i n g ourselves

w o r k i n g to sustain their desire, a n d d e s i r e — b o t h i n t r a - a n d

u p t h r o u g h loss. I t i s f o r t u n a t e that w r i t e r s are i n t e r e s t e d i n

i n t e r p s y c h i c a l l y — d e p e n d s o n difference. T h e r e a l w a y s has

p s y c h o a n a l y s i s because, u n l i k e a n a l y s t s , t h e y are free t o t h i n k

t o b e s o m e t h i n g else, s o m e t h i n g s u f f i c i e n t l y (or a p p a r e n t l y )

u p t h o u g h t s u n c o n s t r a i n e d b y the h y p n o t i c effect o f c l i n i c a l

other. T h e s p e c t e r o f A p h a n i s i s , Jones's r e p r e s s e d c o n c e p t o f

practice. G o o d performers, like musicians or sportspeople or

the d e a t h o f d e s i r e , h a u n t s the p r o c e s s . B u t t h o u g h d e s i r e d e -

a n a l y s t s , are often n o t that g o o d a t t a l k i n g a b o u t w h a t t h e y d o ,

p e n d s o n difference, w e o n l y l i k e the d i f f e r e n c e s w e l i k e ; the

p a r t l y b e c a u s e they are the ones w h o d o it.

set of d e s i r a b l e or t o l e r a b l e differences, d e s i r e - s u s t a i n i n g dif-

A n d the d o i n g i t , o f c o u r s e , l i k e the l i v i n g o f a n y life, i n -

ference, i s n e v e r i n f i n i t e for a n y o n e . P s y c h o a n a l y s i s i s a b o u t

v o l v e s a c k n o w l e d g i n g , i n o n e w a y o r a n o t h e r , that there are

w h e r e w e d r a w these c o n s t i t u t i v e l i n e s . A n y c l i n i c i a n i s o n l y

o n l y t w o sexes. T h o u g h this, i n a n d o f itself, says n o t h i n g a b o u t

158

Melancholy Gender

Refused Identification

159

the p o s s i b l e r e p e r t o i r e o f g e n d e r i d e n t i t i e s . T h e l o g i c o f B u t -

I n t h i n k i n g a b o u t g e n d e r , o r a n y o f the s o - c a l l e d i d e n t i t i e s ,

l e r ' s a r g u m e n t , the k i n d o f i n s t r u c t i v e i n c o h e r e n c e she f i n d s

it seems to be e x t r e m e l y d i f f i c u l t to f i n d a p i c t u r e or a s t o r y

i n F r e u d , r e c u p e r a t e s a sense o f p o s s i b i l i t y for a n a l y t i c p r a c -

that n o l o n g e r n e e d s the i d e a o f e x c l u s i o n . A n d B u t l e r ' s t h e o -

tice. A n d y e t the v e r y l u c i d i t y o f B u t l e r ' s essay a l s o p r o m p t s

r e t i c a l d e s c r i p t i o n s reflect this. T h e r e s e e m s t o b e s o m e t h i n g

a n o t h e r k i n d o f r e f l e c t i o n . I t c a n s o m e t i m e s s e e m a s h a m e that

b e w i t c h i n g , c e r t a i n l y i n p s y c h o a n a l y t i c theory, a b o u t the i d e a

there are o n l y t w o sexes, n o t least b e c a u s e w e u s e t h i s differ-

— a n d the e x p e r i e n c e — o f e v a c u a t i o n a n d o f the k i n d s o f d e f i -

ence a s a p a r a d i g m t o d o s o m u c h w o r k for u s (the differences

n i t i o n that the i d e a o f i n s i d e a n d o u t s i d e c a n g i v e u s ( i n r e l a -

b e t w e e n the sexes are, o f c o u r s e , m o r e e x c i t i n g , o r m o r e ar-

t i v e l y recent p s y c h o a n a l y t i c h i s t o r y Balint w a s a s k i n g w h e t h e r

t i c u l a b l e , t h a n the differences b e t w e e n a l i v e b o d y a n d a d e a d

the f i s h w a s i n the w a t e r o r the w a t e r i n the fish). O b v i o u s l y ,

b o d y ) . T h e r e i s a k i n d o f i n t e l l e c t u a l m e l a n c h o l y i n the loss o f a

the v o c a b u l a r y o f d i f f e r e n c e — t h e m e a n s o f e s t a b l i s h i n g those

t h i r d sex that n e v e r e x i s t e d a n d s o c a n n e v e r b e m o u r n e d ; t h i s

intra- and interpsychic boundaries and limits w h i c h psycho-

t h i r d , i r r a t i o n a l sex that w o u l d b r e a k the s p e l l (or the l o g i c ) o f

a n a l y s i s p r o m o t e s — i s , b y d e f i n i t i o n , far m o r e e x t e n s i v e t h a n

the t w o , a n d that i s o n e o f the c h i l d ' s f o r m a t i v e a n d r e p r e s s e d

the l a n g u a g e o f s a m e n e s s (the s a m e , o f c o u r s e , i s n o t o n l y

fantasies a b o u t h i m s e l f o r herself. ( T h e r e i s a l i n k b e t w e e n t h i s

the i d e n t i c a l ) . W e c a n t a l k a b o u t d i f f e r e n c e — i n a sense, that's

m a g i c a l s o l u t i o n t o the p r i m a l scene a n d fantasies o f s y n t h e s i s

what talk is a b o u t — b u t sameness makes us mute, d u l l , or re-

a n d r e d e m p t i o n . ) W h a t F r e u d c a l l e d p r i m a r y p r o c e s s is, after

petitive. A n d t o talk about h o m o s e x u a l i t y exclusively i n terms

a l l , the e r a s i n g o f m u t u a l e x c l u s i o n , a l o g i c d e f y i n g l o g i c . T h i s

o f s a m e n e s s i s t o c o m p o u n d the m u d d l e . S a m e n e s s , l i k e differ-

f o r m of generosity (and radicalism) is not always available, it

ence, is a ( m o t i v a t e d ) fantasy, n o t a n a t u r a l fact. T h e l a n g u a g e

seems, t o o u r s e c o n d a r y - p r o c e s s selves.

o f b o u n d a r i e s that p s y c h o a n a l y s i s i s s o i n t e n t o n , a n d that

S t a r t i n g w i t h t w o sexes, a s w e m u s t — d e s c r i b e d a s o p p o -

makes possible notions of identification and m o u r n i n g , p r o -

sites or a l t e r n a t i v e s or c o m p l e m e n t s — l o c k s us i n t o a l o g i c , a

m o t e s a specific set of a s s u m p t i o n s a b o u t w h a t a p e r s o n is a n d

b i n a r y s y s t e m that o f t e n s e e m s r e m o t e f r o m l i v e d a n d s p o -

c a n be. It is a p i c t u r e of a p e r s o n i n f o r m e d by the l a n g u a g e s of

k e n e x p e r i e n c e a n d i s c o m p l i c i t w i t h the o t h e r b i n a r y p a i r s —

p u r i t y and property, what M a r y Douglas more exactly called

inside/outside, p r i m a r y process/secondary process, sadism/

p u r i t y a n d danger. I t m a y b e m o r e u s e f u l t o t a l k a b o u t g r a -

m a s o c h i s m , a n d s o o n — t h a t are s u c h a m i s l e a d i n g p a r t o f

dations a n d b l u r r i n g rather than contours a n d outlines w h e n

psychoanalytic language. We s h o u l d be speaking of para-

w e p l o t o u r stories a b o u t g e n d e r .

doxes a n d spectrums, not contradictions a n d m u t u a l exclu-

f o r m a n c e k e e p s d e f i n i t i o n o n the m o v e , w h i c h i s w h e r e i t i s

s i o n . E v e r y c h i l d r i g h t l y w a n t s t o k n o w w h e t h e r there i s a

anyway. M o u r n i n g slows things d o w n .

p o s i t i o n b e y o n d exclusion or difference or separateness—a w o r l d i n w h i c h l e a v i n g a n d b e i n g left o u t d i s a p p e a r s , a n i d e a taken up at a different level in U t o p i a n socialism, w h i c h aims at a s o c i e t y w i t h o u t m a r g i n s a n d therefore w i t h o u t h u m i l i a t i o n .

6

Butler's language of per-

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der performativity, a n d second, on whether sexual difference is an o p p o s i t i o n that is as stable as it m i g h t a p p e a r . P h i l l i p s suggests that the c o n s i d e r a t i o n o f m e l a n c h o l i c i n c o r p o r a t i o n t e m p e r s the v o l u n t a r i s m o f the p o s i t i o n a s s o c i a t e d

Reply to A d a m Phillips's Commentary on "Melancholy Gender / Refused Identification"

w i t h g e n d e r p e r f o r m a t i v i t y that has e m e r g e d i n the r e c e p t i o n of Gender Trouble. On the o n e h a n d , there a p p e a r s to be a r e p u d i a t e d a n d u n r e s o l v e d k n o t o f grief, a n d o n the other, a selfc o n s c i o u s subject w h o , i n a S a r t r i a n v e i n , creates itself a n e w a g a i n a n d a g a i n . B u t w h a t i f the t e r m s o f t h i s o p p o s i t i o n are n o t q u i t e a s stable a s t h e y seem? C o n s i d e r that the i r r e s o l u t i o n o f m e l a n c h o l i a i s t i e d t o the c h e c k p l a c e d u p o n a g g r e s s i o n against the lost other, that the i d e a l i z a t i o n of the o t h e r that a c c o m p a n i e s s e l f - b e r a t e m e n t i n m e l a n c h o l i a i s p r e c i s e l y the r o u t i n g a g a i n s t the ego o f a g g r e s s i o n t o w a r d the o t h e r w h i c h

A d a m P h i l l i p s ' s w e l c o m e c o m m e n t a r y c o n f i r m s that there i l m i g h t b e a d i a l o g u e , e v e n p e r h a p s a p s y c h o a n a l y t i c one, between a c l i n i c a l a n d a speculative perspective on questions o f g e n d e r , m e l a n c h o l i a , a n d p e r f o r m a t i v i t y . C l e a r l y the p o s i t i o n s here are n o t as " s t a k e d o u t " as is o f t e n the case, f o r P h i l l i p s is himself b o t h a c l i n i c i a n a n d a speculative thinker, a n d t h u s f u r t h e r s the d o u b l y d i m e n s i o n e d w r i t i n g i n a u g u r a t e d b y F r e u d . I n d e e d , w h a t m i g h t a t first s e e m a s t r i c t o p p o s i t i o n — t h e c l i n i c i a n , o n the o n e h a n d , a n d the c u l t u r a l t h e o r i s t o f g e n d e r , o n the o t h e r — i s b r o k e n d o w n a n d r e c o n f i g u r e d i n the c o u r s e o f t h i s e x c h a n g e , a n d i t i s a s m u c h the content o f h i s c l a i m s a s the m o v e m e n t o f his o w n t h i n k i n g w h i c h m a k e s m e w a n t t o r e c o n s i d e r the o p p o s i t i o n a l f r a m i n g a n d t h i n k i n g

is prohibited f r o m being expressed directly. The p r o h i b i t i o n w o r k s i n the s e r v i c e o f a n i d e a l i z a t i o n , b u t i t a l s o w o r k s i n the service of an i d e a l i z a t i o n of grief as a p u r e or sacred practice. The melancholic, b a r r e d f r o m aggressive expression, begins to m i m e a n d i n c o r p o r a t e the lost one, r e f u s i n g the loss t h r o u g h that i n c o r p o r a t i v e strategy, " c o n t i n u i n g the q u a r r e l " w i t h the other, b u t n o w i n the f o r m o f a n i n t r a p s y c h i c self-beratement. B u t t h i s p r o c e s s i s n o t o n l y i n t r a p s y c h i c , f o r s y m p t o m a t i c exp r e s s i o n i s p r e c i s e l y the r e t u r n o f w h a t i s e x c l u d e d i n the p r o c e s s o f i d e a l i z a t i o n . W h a t i s the p l a c e o f " a c t i n g o u t " i n r e l a t i o n t o s y m p t o m a t i c e x p r e s s i o n , e s p e c i a l l y w h e n beratem e n t escapes the i n t r a p s y c h i c c i r c u i t t o e m e r g e i n d i s p l a c e d a n d externalized forms? Is this k i n d of "acting out," w h i c h

w h i c h seems, l u c k i l y , n o t t o b e able t o s u s t a i n itself here. M y

often takes the f o r m o f a p a n t o m i m e , n o t the v e r y v e n u e f o r

r e p l y w i l l f o c u s first o n the q u e s t i o n o f w h e t h e r m e l a n c h o l y

a n a g g r e s s i o n that refuses t o r e m a i n l o c k e d u p i n the c i r c u i t o f

is rightly u n d e r s t o o d to oppose or to temper notions of gen-

self-beratement, a n a g g r e s s i o n that b r e a k s o u t o f that c i r c u i t o n l y t o h e a p itself, t h r o u g h d i s p l a c e m e n t , o n objects w h i c h

Melancholy Gender

1Ô2

s i g n i f y the r e s o n a n c e , the r e m a i n s , of the lost o t h e r ? In t h i s

Refused

Identification

163

a g g r e s s i o n t o w a r d w h a t i s l o s t — i n p a r t because that lost o n e

sense, w h a t is p e r f o r m e d as a c o n s e q u e n c e of m e l a n c h o l i a is

has a b a n d o n e d u s , a n d i n the s a c r a l i z a t i o n o f the object, w e

n o t a v o l u n t a r y act, b u t a n a c t i n g o u t m o t i v a t e d — i n p a r t — b y

e x c l u d e the p o s s i b i l i t y o f r a g i n g a g a i n s t that a b a n d o n m e n t .

an u n o w n e d aggression.

W h a t are the a f f i r m a t i v e c o n s e q u e n c e s o f m i m e t i c a c t i n g o u t

H o w d o e s t h i s a c c o u n t w o r k i n the c o n t e x t o f g e n d e r m e l -

as it w o r k s , w i t h i n a p s y c h o a n a l y t i c f r a m e , to t h e a t r i c a l i z e that

ancholia? If I acquire my gender by r e p u d i a t i n g my love for

a g g r e s s i o n w i t h o u t e t h i c a l c o n s e q u e n c e , a n d t o a r t i c u l a t e , for

o n e o f m y o w n g e n d e r , t h e n that r e p u d i a t i o n l i v e s o n i n the

the p u r p o s e s of s e l f - r e f l e c t i o n , t h r o u g h a set of "acts" the l o g i c

a c t i n g o u t o f m y g e n d e r a n d a s k s t o b e r e a d a s r i v a l r y , ag-

o f r e p u d i a t i o n b y w h i c h t h e y are m o t i v a t e d ? Isn't i t t h e n the

gression, i d e a l i z a t i o n , a n d m e l a n c h o l i a . If I am a w o m a n to

case that s u c h t h e a t r i c a l i t y m i g h t w o r k a s a p s y c h o a n a l y t i c

the extent that I h a v e n e v e r l o v e d o n e , b o t h a g g r e s s i o n a n d

n o t i o n a n d n o t o n l y a s that w h i c h m u s t b e c o r r e c t e d o r t e m -

s h a m e a r e l o c k e d i n t o that "never," that " n o w a y , " w h i c h s u g -

p e r e d b y p s y c h o a n a l y s i s ? W o u l d n ' t that b e o n e w a y t o c o u n t e r

gests that w h a t e v e r g e n d e r I a m i s t h r e a t e n e d f u n d a m e n t a l l y

the i d e a l i z a t i o n o f m o u r n i n g (itself a s y m p t o m o f m o u r n i n g )

b y the r e t u r n o f the l o v e r e n d e r e d u n t h i n k a b l e b y that d e f e n -

w h i c h c o m m i t s p s y c h o a n a l y s i s t o the s o b e r w o r k o f p e r m a -

s i v e "never." T h e r e f o r e w h a t I act, i n d e e d , w h a t I "choose,"

n e n t m o u r n i n g ? T o w h a t extent i s that effect o f " p e r m a n e n c e "

has s o m e t h i n g p r o f o u n d l y u n c h o s e n i n i t that r u n s t h r o u g h

the r e s u l t o f the force o f r e p u d i a t i o n itself, a g g r e s s i o n i n the

the c o u r s e o f that " p e r f o r m a n c e . " H e r e the n o t i o n o f g e n d e r

service of a self-berating b i n d t y p i c a l of melancholia?

p e r f o r m a t i v i t y c a l l s f o r p s y c h o a n a l y t i c r e t h i n k i n g t h r o u g h the

P h i l l i p s asks a n o t h e r set o f q u e s t i o n s , w h i c h s e e m a l s o t o

n o t i o n o f " a c t i n g o u t , " a s i t e m e r g e s i n the a r t i c u l a t i o n o f m e l -

w o r k w i t h i n a c e r t a i n o p p o s i t i o n a l f r a m e w h i c h m a y b e less

a n c h o l i a a n d i n the p a n t o m i m i c r e s p o n s e t o loss w h e r e b y the

o p p o s i t i o n a l t h a n a t first a p p e a r s . H e r e p h r a s e s m y q u e s t i o n

lost o t h e r i s i n c o r p o r a t e d i n the f o r m a t i v e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n s o f

a p p r o p r i a t e l y w h e n h e q u e r i e s w h e t h e r there i s a n e c e s s a r y

the ego.

r e a s o n for i d e n t i f i c a t i o n t o o p p o s e d e s i r e o r for d e s i r e t o b e

P h i l l i p s is right to w a r n psychoanalysis against an idealiza-

f u e l e d b y r e p u d i a t i o n . H e c l a i m s that w i t h i n the p s y c h o a n a -

t i o n o f m o u r n i n g itself, the s a c r a l i z a t i o n o f m o u r n i n g a s the

l y t i c f r a m e w o r k there are g o o d reasons, a n d that e v e r y p o s i -

c o n s u m m a t e p s y c h o a n a l y t i c r i t u a l . It is as if psychoanalysis

t i o n t a k e n u p a n d e v e r y d e s i r e d e t e r m i n e d engages a p s y c h i c

a s a p r a c t i c e r i s k s b e c o m i n g a f f l i c t e d w i t h the v e r y s u f f e r i n g

c o n f l i c t . T h i s f o l l o w s f r o m the fact that there are a l w a y s losses,

i t seeks t o k n o w . T h e r e s o l u t i o n o f g r i e f b e c o m e s u n t h i n k a b l e

refusals, a n d sacrifices t o b e m a d e a l o n g the w a y t o h a v i n g the

i n a s i t u a t i o n i n w h i c h o u r v a r i o u s losses b e c o m e the c o n d i -

ego o r c h a r a c t e r f o r m e d o r h a v i n g d e s i r e d i s p o s e d i n a n y d e -

t i o n for p s y c h o a n a l y s i s a s a p r a c t i c e o f i n t e r m i n a b l e m o u r n -

t e r m i n a t e d i r e c t i o n . T h i s s e e m s r i g h t . B u t p e r h a p s there i s a

i n g . B u t w h a t b r e a k s the h o l d o f g r i e f e x c e p t the c u l t i v a t i o n o f

w a y o f d e v e l o p i n g a t y p o l o g y o f " r e f u s a l " a n d " e x c l u s i o n " that

the a g g r e s s i o n g r i e f h o l d s a t b a y against the m e a n s b y w h i c h

might help us distinguish between what is rigorously repudi-

i t i s h e l d a t b a y ? P a r t o f w h a t s u s t a i n s a n d e x t e n d s the p e r i o d

a t e d a n d f o r e c l o s e d , a n d w h a t h a p p e n s t o b e less r i g i d l y o r

o f m o u r n i n g i s p r e c i s e l y the p r o h i b i t i o n a g a i n s t e x p r e s s i n g

p e r m a n e n t l y d e c l i n e d . S u r e l y there is, say, a w a y o f a c c o u n t -

164

Melancholy Gender

i n g for h o m o s e x u a l i t y w h i c h p r e s u p p o s e s that i t i s r o o t e d i n

Refused

Identification

165

guarantor o f loss i n o u r p s y c h i c l i v e s ? A n d c a n a l l s e p a r a t i o n

an unconscious repudiation of heterosexuality a n d w h i c h , in

a n d loss b e t r a c e d b a c k t o that s t r u c t u r i n g loss o f the o t h e r sex

m a k i n g that p r e s u m p t i o n , d e t e r m i n e s r e p u d i a t e d h e t e r o s e x u -

b y w h i c h w e e m e r g e a s t h i s s e x e d b e i n g i n the w o r l d ?

a l i t y t o b e the u n c o n s c i o u s " t r u t h " o f l i v e d h o m o s e x u a l i t y .

P e r h a p s t h i s a s s u m p t i o n i s t r o u b l e d i f w e take s e r i o u s l y the

B u t i s s u c h a p r e s u m p t i o n a b o u t r e p u d i a t i o n n e c e s s a r y t o ac-

n o t i o n that sex i s a t o n c e g i v e n a n d a c c o m p l i s h e d — g i v e n a s

c o u n t for the trajectory o f l i v e d h o m o s e x u a l i t y ? C o u l d there

that w h i c h i s (always) yet t o b e a c c o m p l i s h e d — a n d that i t i s

be equally compelling accounts of unconscious motivations

accomplished in part through a heterosexualization of l i b i d i -

that a c c o u n t for h o m o s e x u a l i t y w h i c h d o n o t a s s u m e the r e -

n a l a i m s . T h i s a p p e a r e d t o b e F r e u d ' s a r g u m e n t i n the o p e n i n g

p u d i a t e d status o f h e t e r o s e x u a l i t y i n its f o r m a t i o n ? A n d w h a t

c h a p t e r s of Three Essays on the Theory of Sexuality. To w h a t ex-

o f those h o m o s e x u a l s w h o d o n o t r i g o r o u s l y o p p o s e h e t e r o -

tent does the h e t e r o s e x u a l f r a m e for d e s i r e a n d loss cast the

s e x u a l i t y either i n t r a p s y c h i c a l l y o r i n t e r p s y c h i c a l l y , b u t w h o

p r o b l e m o f s e p a r a t i o n a n d loss first a n d f o r e m o s t a s a p r o b -

are n e v e r t h e l e s s r e l a t i v e l y d e t e r m i n e d i n the d i r e c t i o n a l i t y o f

l e m o f s e x u a l difference?

t h e i r d e s i r e ? P e r h a p s the e c o n o m y o f d e s i r e a l w a y s w o r k s

C o n s i d e r the f o l l o w i n g p r o b l e m a t i c , w h i c h i s n o t q u i t e i n

t h r o u g h r e f u s a l a n d loss o f s o m e k i n d , b u t i t i s n o t a s a c o n s e -

P h i l l i p s ' s l a n g u a g e , b u t t o u c h e s o n the f r a m e w o r k that h e es-

quence an economy structured by a logic of non-contradiction.

p o u s e s . D o e s it f o l l o w that if o n e d e s i r e s a w o m a n , o n e is

Isn't t h i s k i n d o f p o s t c o n t r a d i c t o r y p s y c h i c m o b i l i t y w h a t i s

d e s i r i n g f r o m a m a s c u l i n e d i s p o s i t i o n , o r i s that d i s p o s i t i o n

desired psychoanalytically, a n d what F r e u d sought to c i r c u m -

r e t r o a c t i v e l y a t t r i b u t e d to the d e s i r i n g p o s i t i o n as a w a y of r e -

s c r i b e t h r o u g h reference to the b i s e x e d n e s s of the p s y c h e ? Is

t a i n i n g h e t e r o s e x u a l i t y a s the w a y o f u n d e r s t a n d i n g the s e p a -

t h i s m o b i l i t y n o t a s i g n that a r i g o r o u s l y i n s t i t u t e d l o g i c of r e -

rateness o r a l t e r i t y that c o n d i t i o n s d e s i r e ? F o r i f that c l a i m

p u d i a t i o n i s n o t , after a l l , n e c e s s a r y for p s y c h i c s u r v i v a l ?

were true, every w o m a n w h o desires another w o m a n desires

I t s e e m s t o m e that w e m u s t accept, a s P h i l l i p s r i g h t l y c o u n -

her f r o m a m a s c u l i n e d i s p o s i t i o n a n d i s " h e t e r o s e x u a l " t o

sels u s t o d o , that there i s n o " p o s i t i o n b e y o n d e x c l u s i o n — o r

that degree; o d d l y , t h o u g h , i f the o t h e r w o m a n desires h e r i n

difference, o r separateness" a n d n o " w o r l d i n w h i c h l e a v i n g

r e t u r n , the e c o n o m y b e c o m e s o n e o f m a l e h o m o s e x u a l i t y ^ ) .

a n d b e i n g left o u t d i s a p p e a r s . " B u t d o e s t h i s a c c e p t a n c e c o m -

D o e s t h i s t h e o r e t i c a l f r a m e n o t m i s u n d e r s t a n d the m o d e s o f

m i t us to the p o s i t i o n that "sex" is a stable c a t e g o r y or that

a l t e r i t y that p e r s i s t w i t h i n h o m o s e x u a l i t y , r e d u c i n g the h o m o -

objects o f h o m o s e x u a l l o v e m u s t d i s a p p e a r t h r o u g h the force

s e x u a l t o a p u r s u i t o f s a m e n e s s w h i c h is, i n fact, v e r y r a r e l y

o f r e p u d i a t i o n a n d p r o h i b i t i o n ? T o w h a t extent m u s t w e a l i g n

the case (or is as often the case in h e t e r o s e x u a l p u r s u i t ) ?

this m o r e g e n e r a l a n d i n e v i t a b l e s e p a r a t i o n a n d loss w i t h a

Is this explanation t h r o u g h recourse to masculine disposi-

repudiation of homosexual love w h i c h makes gender melan-

t i o n n o t a n i n s t a n c e o f the t h e o r e t i c a l c o n s t r u c t i o n o f " m a s c u -

c h o l i e s o f u s all? T h e " g i v e n n e s s " o f s e x u a l d i f f e r e n c e i s c l e a r l y

l i n i t y " o r o f the m a s c u l i n e "sex" w h i c h c o v e r s o v e r — o r f o r e -

n o t to be d e n i e d , a n d I agree that there is no " t h i r d s e x " to be

closes—the possibility of another t e r m i n o l o g y w h i c h w o u l d

f o u n d o r p u r s u e d . B u t w h y i s s e x u a l d i f f e r e n c e the p r i m a r y

a v o w a r i c h p s y c h i c w o r l d o f a t t a c h m e n t a n d loss w h i c h i s

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Melancholy Gender

n o t f i n a l l y r e d u c i b l e t o a g i v e n n o t i o n o f s e x u a l difference? I n d e e d , t o w h a t extent are o u r n o t i o n s o f the m a s c u l i n e a n d the f e m i n i n e f o r m e d t h r o u g h the lost a t t a c h m e n t s w h i c h t h e y are s a i d t o o c c a s i o n ? C a n w e f i n a l l y e v e r r e s o l v e the q u e s t i o n o f w h e t h e r s e x u a l d i f f e r e n c e is the a c c o m p l i s h m e n t of a m e l a n -

Psychic Inceptions

c h o l i c h e t e r o s e x u a l i t y , s a c r a l i z e d a s t h e o r y , o r w h e t h e r i t i s the g i v e n c o n d i t i o n o f loss a n d a t t a c h m e n t i n a n y set o f h u m a n

Melancholy,

Ambivalence,

Rage

r e l a t i o n s ? It seems clear that in s o m e cases it is b o t h , b u t that w e w o u l d l o s e a v i t a l t e r m i n o l o g y for u n d e r s t a n d i n g loss a n d its f o r m a t i v e effects i f w e w e r e t o a s s u m e f r o m the outset that w e o n l y a n d a l w a y s lose the o t h e r sex, for i t i s a s o f t e n the case that w e are often i n the m e l a n c h o l i c b i n d o f h a v i n g lost o u r o w n sex i n o r d e r , p a r a d o x i c a l l y , t o b e c o m e it.

C o n f l i c t s b e t w e e n the ego a n d the i d e a l . . . u l t i m a t e l y reflect the contrast b e t w e e n w h a t is real a n d w h a t is p s y c h i c a l , b e t w e e n the external w o r l d a n d the i n t e r n a l w o r l d . — F r e u d , The Ego and the Id

I

n " M o u r n i n g a n d M e l a n c h o l i a , " m e l a n c h o l y a t first a p p e a r s to be an aberrant f o r m of m o u r n i n g , in w h i c h one denies

the loss o f a n object (an o t h e r o r a n i d e a l ) a n d refuses the task

o f grief, u n d e r s t o o d a s b r e a k i n g a t t a c h m e n t t o the o n e w h o i s lost. T h i s lost object i s m a g i c a l l y r e t a i n e d a s p a r t o f o n e ' s p s y c h i c life. T h e s o c i a l w o r l d a p p e a r s t o b e e c l i p s e d i n m e l a n c h o l y , a n d an internal w o r l d structured in ambivalence emerges as the c o n s e q u e n c e . I t i s n o t i m m e d i a t e l y clear h o w m e l a n c h o l y m i g h t b e r e a d , t h e n , i n t e r m s o f s o c i a l life, i n p a r t i c u l a r , i n 1

t e r m s o f the s o c i a l r e g u l a t i o n o f p s y c h i c life. Yet the a c c o u n t o f melancholy is an account of h o w psychic and social domains are p r o d u c e d i n r e l a t i o n t o o n e another. A s s u c h , m e l a n c h o l y offers p o t e n t i a l i n s i g h t i n t o h o w the b o u n d a r i e s o f the s o c i a l are i n s t i t u t e d a n d m a i n t a i n e d , n o t o n l y a t the e x p e n s e o f p s y -

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c h i c life, b u t t h r o u g h b i n d i n g p s y c h i c life i n t o f o r m s o f m e l a n -

g e n e r a t i o n a n d f o l l o w s f r o m the p s y c h i c c o m p u l s i o n t o s u b -

cholic ambivalence.

s t i t u t e f o r objects lost. T h u s , i n m e l a n c h o l i a n o t o n l y d o e s the

M e l a n c h o l i a t h u s r e t u r n s us to the f i g u r e of the " t u r n " as a

ego s u b s t i t u t e for the object, b u t t h i s act of s u b s t i t u t i o n insti-

f o u n d i n g t r o p e i n the d i s c o u r s e o f the p s y c h e . I n H e g e l , t u r n -

tutes the ego as a n e c e s s a r y r e s p o n s e to or "defense" a g a i n s t

i n g b a c k u p o n oneself c o m e s t o s i g n i f y the ascetic a n d s k e p t i -

loss. To the extent that the ego is "the p r e c i p i t a t e of its a b a n -

c a l m o d e s o f r e f l e x i v i t y that m a r k the u n h a p p y c o n s c i o u s n e s s ;

d o n e d object-cathexes," it is the c o n g e a l m e n t of a h i s t o r y of

i n N i e t z s c h e , t u r n i n g b a c k o n oneself suggests a r e t r a c t i n g o f

loss, the s e d i m e n t a t i o n o f r e l a t i o n s o f s u b s t i t u t i o n o v e r t i m e ,

w h a t o n e h a s s a i d o r d o n e , o r a r e c o i l i n g i n s h a m e i n the face

the r e s o l u t i o n o f a t r o p o l o g i c a l f u n c t i o n i n t o the o n t o l o g i c a l

o f w h a t o n e has done. I n A l t h u s s e r , the t u r n that the p e d e s -

effect of the self.

t r i a n m a k e s t o w a r d the v o i c e o f the l a w i s a t o n c e r e f l e x i v e

M o r e o v e r , t h i s s u b s t i t u t i o n o f ego for object d o e s n o t q u i t e

(the m o m e n t of b e c o m i n g a subject w h o s e s e l f - c o n s c i o u s n e s s

w o r k . T h e ego i s a p o o r s u b s t i t u t e for the lost object, a n d its

i s m e d i a t e d b y the l a w ) a n d s e l f - s u b j u g a t i n g .

f a i l u r e to s u b s t i t u t e in a w a y that satisfies (that is, to o v e r c o m e

A c c o r d i n g t o the n a r r a t i v e o f m e l a n c h o l i a that F r e u d p r o -

its status as a s u b s t i t u t i o n ) , l e a d s to the a m b i v a l e n c e that d i s -

v i d e s , the ego i s s a i d t o " t u r n b a c k u p o n i t s e l f " o n c e l o v e fails

t i n g u i s h e s m e l a n c h o l i a . T h e t u r n f r o m the object t o the ego c a n

t o f i n d its object a n d i n s t e a d takes itself a s n o t o n l y a n object o f

n e v e r q u i t e b e a c c o m p l i s h e d ; i t i n v o l v e s f i g u r i n g the ego o n

l o v e , b u t o f a g g r e s s i o n a n d hate a s w e l l . B u t w h a t i s t h i s "self"

the m o d e l o f the object (as s u g g e s t e d i n the i n t r o d u c t o r y p a r a -

that takes itself as its o w n object? Is the o n e w h o " t a k e s " itself

g r a p h s o f " O n N a r c i s s i s m " ) ; i t a l s o i n v o l v e s the u n c o n s c i o u s

a n d the o n e w h o i s " t a k e n " the s a m e ? T h i s s e d u c t i o n o f reflex-

b e l i e f that the ego m i g h t c o m p e n s a t e f o r the loss that is suf-

i v i t y s e e m s t o f o u n d e r l o g i c a l l y , s i n c e i t i s u n c l e a r that t h i s ego

fered. T o the extent that the ego fails t o p r o v i d e s u c h c o m p e n -

c a n exist p r i o r t o its m e l a n c h o l i a . T h e " t u r n " that m a r k s the

s a t i o n , i t e x p o s e s the f a u l t l i n e s i n its o w n t e n u o u s f o u n d a t i o n s .

m e l a n c h o l i c r e s p o n s e t o loss a p p e a r s t o i n i t i a t e the r e d o u b l i n g

A r e w e t o accept that the ego t u r n s f r o m the object t o the

o f the ego a s a n object; o n l y b y t u r n i n g b a c k o n itself d o e s the

ego, or that the ego t u r n s its p a s s i o n , as o n e m i g h t r e d i r e c t a

ego a c q u i r e the status of a p e r c e p t u a l object. M o r e o v e r , the at-

w h e e l , f r o m the object to itself 1 D o e s the s a m e ego t u r n its i n -

t a c h m e n t t o the object that i s u n d e r s t o o d i n m e l a n c h o l i a t o b e

v e s t m e n t f r o m the object t o itself, o r i s the ego f u n d a m e n t a l l y

r e d i r e c t e d t o w a r d the ego u n d e r g o e s a f u n d a m e n t a l t r a n s f o r -

a l t e r e d b y v i r t u e o f b e c o m i n g the object o f s u c h a t u r n ? W h a t

m a t i o n i n the c o u r s e o f that r e d i r e c t i o n . N o t o n l y i s the attach-

i s the status o f " i n v e s t m e n t " a n d " a t t a c h m e n t " ? D o t h e y i n d i -

m e n t s a i d t o g o f r o m l o v e t o hate a s i t m o v e s f r o m the object

cate a f r e e - f l o a t i n g d e s i r e that r e m a i n s the s a m e r e g a r d l e s s of

to the ego, b u t the ego itself is p r o d u c e d as a psychic object; in

the k i n d o f object t o w h i c h i t i s d i r e c t e d ? D o e s the t u r n n o t

fact, the v e r y a r t i c u l a t i o n o f t h i s p s y c h i c space, s o m e t i m e s f i g -

o n l y p r o d u c e the ego b y w h i c h i t i s o s t e n s i b l y i n i t i a t e d b u t

u r e d as " i n t e r n a l , " depends on this m e l a n c h o l i c t u r n .

a l s o s t r u c t u r e the a t t a c h m e n t i t i s s a i d t o r e d i r e c t ?

T h e t u r n f r o m the object t o the ego p r o d u c e s the ego, w h i c h

I s s u c h a t u r n o r r e d i r e c t i o n e v e n p o s s i b l e ? T h e loss f o r

s u b s t i t u t e s for the object lost. T h i s p r o d u c t i o n is a t r o p o l o g i c a l

w h i c h the t u r n seeks t o c o m p e n s a t e i s n o t o v e r c o m e , a n d the

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object i s n o t r e s t o r e d ; rather, the loss b e c o m e s the o p a q u e c o n -

that s u c h a d i v i s i o n c a n b e u n d e r s t o o d a p a r t f r o m its c o n t e x t

d i t i o n f o r the e m e r g e n c e of the ego, a loss that h a u n t s it f r o m

in melancholia. In what follows, I hope to clarify h o w m e l -

the start a s c o n s t i t u t i v e a n d a v o w a b l e . F r e u d r e m a r k s that i n

a n c h o l i a i n v o l v e s the p r o d u c t i o n o f a n i n t e r n a l w o r l d a s w e l l

m o u r n i n g the object i s " d e c l a r e d " lost o r d e a d , b u t i n m e l a n -

as a t o p o g r a p h i c a l set of f i c t i o n s that s t r u c t u r e s the p s y c h e . If

cholia, it follows, no such declaration is possible. M e l a n c h o -

the m e l a n c h o l i c t u r n i s the m e c h a n i s m b y w h i c h the d i s t i n c -

l i a is p r e c i s e l y the effect of u n a v o w a b l e loss. A loss p r i o r to

tion between internal a n d external w o r l d s is instituted, then

s p e e c h a n d d e c l a r a t i o n , i t i s the l i m i t i n g c o n d i t i o n o f its p o s -

m e l a n c h o l i a i n i t i a t e s a v a r i a b l e b o u n d a r y b e t w e e n the p s y c h i c

s i b i l i t y : a w i t h d r a w a l o r r e t r a c t i o n f r o m s p e e c h that m a k e s

a n d the s o c i a l , a b o u n d a r y , I h o p e to s h o w , that d i s t r i b u t e s a n d

s p e e c h p o s s i b l e . I n this sense, m e l a n c h o l i a m a k e s m o u r n i n g

r e g u l a t e s the p s y c h i c s p h e r e i n r e l a t i o n t o p r e v a i l i n g n o r m s o f

p o s s i b l e , a v i e w that F r e u d c a m e to a c c e p t in The Ego and the Id.

social regulation.

2

T h e i n a b i l i t y t o d e c l a r e s u c h a loss s i g n i f i e s the " r e t r a c t i o n "

That a love or desire or l i b i d i n a l attachment is under-

o r " a b s o r p t i o n " o f the loss b y the ego. C l e a r l y , the ego d o e s n o t

s t o o d to take itself as its object, a n d to do t h i s t h r o u g h the

l i t e r a l l y t a k e a n object i n s i d e itself, a s i f the ego w e r e a k i n d o f

f i g u r e o f the t u r n , suggests o n c e a g a i n the t r o p o l o g i c a l b e g i n -

shelter p r i o r t o its m e l a n c h o l y . T h e p s y c h o l o g i c a l d i s c o u r s e s

n i n g s o f subject f o r m a t i o n . F r e u d ' s essay p r e s u m e s that l o v e

that p r e s u m e the t o p o g r a p h i c a l s t a b i l i t y o f a n " i n t e r n a l w o r l d "

o f the object c o m e s first, a n d o n l y u p o n the loss o f the o b -

a n d its v a r i o u s " p a r t s " m i s s the c r u c i a l p o i n t that m e l a n c h o l y

ject does m e l a n c h o l y e m e r g e . C o n s i d e r e d closely, h o w e v e r ,

i s p r e c i s e l y w h a t i n t e r i o r i z e s the p s y c h e , that is, m a k e s i t p o s -

F r e u d ' s essay m a k e s c l e a r that there c a n b e n o ego w i t h o u t

s i b l e t o refer t o the p s y c h e t h r o u g h s u c h t o p o g r a p h i c a l t r o p e s .

m e l a n c h o l i a , that the ego's loss i s c o n s t i t u t i v e . T h e n a r r a t i v e

T h e t u r n f r o m object t o ego i s the m o v e m e n t that m a k e s the

g r a m m a r that m i g h t a c c o u n t for this r e l a t i o n s h i p i s n e c e s s a r i l y

d i s t i n c t i o n b e t w e e n t h e m p o s s i b l e , that m a r k s the d i v i s i o n ,

c o n f o u n d e d f r o m the start.

the s e p a r a t i o n o r loss, that f o r m s the ego t o b e g i n w i t h . I n t h i s

M e l a n c h o l i a does n o t n a m e a p s y c h i c p r o c e s s that m i g h t b e

sense, the t u r n f r o m the object to the ego fails s u c c e s s f u l l y to

recounted t h r o u g h an adequate explanatory scheme. It tends

s u b s t i t u t e the latter f o r the f o r m e r , b u t d o e s s u c c e e d i n m a r k -

t o c o n f o u n d a n y e x p l a n a t i o n o f p s y c h i c p r o c e s s that w e m i g h t

i n g a n d p e r p e t u a t i n g the p a r t i t i o n b e t w e e n the t w o . T h e t u r n

b e i n c l i n e d t o offer. A n d the r e a s o n i t c o n f o u n d s a n y s u c h

t h u s p r o d u c e s the d i v i d e b e t w e e n ego a n d object, the i n t e r n a l

effort is that it m a k e s c l e a r that o u r a b i l i t y to refer to the

a n d e x t e r n a l w o r l d s that i t a p p e a r s t o p r e s u m e .

p s y c h e t h r o u g h t r o p e s o f i n t e r n a l i t y are t h e m s e l v e s effects o f

If a p r e c o n s t i t u t e d ego w e r e able to m a k e s u c h a t u r n f r o m

a m e l a n c h o l i c c o n d i t i o n . M e l a n c h o l i a p r o d u c e s a set of s p a -

an object to itself, it a p p e a r s that it w o u l d h a v e to t u r n f r o m a

t i a l i z i n g t r o p e s f o r p s y c h i c life, d o m i c i l e s o f p r e s e r v a t i o n a n d

p r e c o n s t i t u t e d e x t e r n a l r e a l i t y t o a n i n t e r n a l one. B u t s u c h a n

s h e l t e r a s w e l l a s arenas for s t r u g g l e a n d p e r s e c u t i o n . S u c h

e x p l a n a t i o n c o u l d n o t a c c o u n t for the v e r y d i v i s i o n b e t w e e n

tropes do not " e x p l a i n " m e l a n c h o l i a : they constitute some of

internal a n d external on w h i c h it depends. Indeed, it is unclear

its t a b u l a r d i s c u r s i v e effects. In a m a n n e r that r e c a l l s N i e t z 3

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sche's a c c o u n t of the f a b r i c a t i o n of c o n s c i e n c e , F r e u d offers a

tutes for the p e r s o n a n d that, p r e s u m a b l y , r e n d e r s the p e r s o n

v i e w of conscience as an agency a n d " i n s t i t u t i o n " p r o d u c e d

lost, i s u n k n o w a b l e .

and maintained by melancholy.

F r e u d says m e l a n c h o l i a i s r e l a t e d t o " a n object-loss w i t h -

A l t h o u g h F r e u d seeks t o d i s t i n g u i s h m o u r n i n g a n d m e l a n -

d r a w n f r o m c o n s c i o u s n e s s , " b u t t o the extent that m o u r n i n g

c h o l i a i n t h i s essay, h e offers a p o r t r a i t o f m e l a n c h o l i a that

is related to substitute ideals a n d abstractions such as "coun-

c o n t i n u a l l y blurs into his v i e w of m o u r n i n g . He begins his de-

t r y a n d l i b e r t y , " i t t o o i s c l e a r l y c o n s t i t u t e d t h r o u g h the loss o f

s c r i p t i o n , for i n s t a n c e , b y r e m a r k i n g that m o u r n i n g m a y b e a

the object, a d o u b l e loss that i n v o l v e s b o t h the s u b s t i t u t e i d e a l

" r e a c t i o n to the loss of a l o v e d p e r s o n , or to the loss of s o m e

a n d the p e r s o n . W h e r e a s i n m e l a n c h o l i a the i d e a l i s o c c l u d e d

a b s t r a c t i o n that has t a k e n the p l a c e o f o n e , s u c h a s one's c o u n -

a n d o n e does n o t k n o w w h a t o n e has lost " i n " the p e r s o n lost,

try, l i b e r t y , a n i d e a l , a n d s o o n " (243). A t first, m o u r n i n g seems

i n m o u r n i n g o n e r i s k s n o t k n o w i n g w h o m o n e has lost " i n "

t o h a v e t w o f o r m s , o n e i n w h i c h s o m e o n e i s lost, s o m e o n e r e a l

l o s i n g the i d e a l .

i s lost, a n d a n o t h e r , i n w h i c h w h a t i s lost i n the s o m e o n e r e a l

L a t e r i n the essay F r e u d specifies the p s y c h i c s y s t e m s i n

i s i d e a l , the loss o f a n i d e a l . A s the essay p r o g r e s s e s , i t a p p e a r s

w h i c h m e l a n c h o l y takes p l a c e a n d w h a t i t m e a n s for m e l a n -

that the loss o f the i d e a l , "the loss o f a m o r e i d e a l k i n d " i s

c h o l y t o b e r e l a t e d t o " a n object-loss w i t h d r a w n f r o m c o n -

correlated w i t h melancholia. A l r e a d y w i t h i n m o u r n i n g , h o w -

s c i o u s n e s s . " H e w r i t e s that "the u n c o n s c i o u s [ t h i n g - ] p r e s e n -

ever, the loss m a y b e o f a n a b s t r a c t i o n o r a n i d e a l , o n e that

t a t i o n [Dingvorstellung] of the object has b e e n a b a n d o n e d by

has t a k e n the p l a c e o f the o n e w h o i s lost. A f e w p a r a g r a p h s

the l i b i d o " (256)." T h e " t h i n g - p r e s e n t a t i o n " of the object is

later, h e notes that " m e l a n c h o l i a t o o m a y b e the r e a c t i o n t o

n o t the object itself, b u t a c a t h e c t e d trace, o n e that is, in r e -

the loss of a l o v e d object" a n d that " w h e r e the e x c i t i n g causes

l a t i o n to the object, a l r e a d y a s u b s t i t u t e a n d a d e r i v a t i v e . In

are d i f f e r e n t [ f r o m m o u r n i n g ] o n e c a n r e c o g n i z e that there i s

m o u r n i n g , the traces o f the object, its i n n u m e r a b l e " l i n k s , " are

a loss of a m o r e i d e a l k i n d . " If o n e m o u r n s f o r the loss of

o v e r c o m e p i e c e m e a l o v e r t i m e . I n m e l a n c h o l i a , the p r e s e n c e

a n i d e a l , a n d that i d e a l m a y s u b s t i t u t e for a p e r s o n w h o has

o f a m b i v a l e n c e i n r e l a t i o n t o the object m a k e s a n y s u c h p r o -

b e e n lost, o r w h o s e l o v e i s b e l i e v e d t o b e lost, t h e n i t m a k e s

g r e s s i v e d e - l i n k i n g o f l i b i d i n a l a t t a c h m e n t i m p o s s i b l e . Rather,

no sense to c l a i m that m e l a n c h o l i a is d i s t i n g u i s h e d as a loss

" c o u n t l e s s separate s t r u g g l e s are c a r r i e d o n o v e r the object, i n

o f " a m o r e i d e a l k i n d . " A n d yet, a different k i n d o f d i s t i n c t i o n

w h i c h l o v e a n d hate c o n t e n d w i t h e a c h o t h e r ; the o n e seeks

b e t w e e n the t w o e m e r g e s w h e n F r e u d c l a i m s , w i t h reference

t o d e t a c h the l i b i d o f r o m the object, the o t h e r t o m a i n t a i n this

t o m o u r n i n g , that the i d e a l m a y h a v e s u b s t i t u t e d for the p e r -

p o s i t i o n o f the l i b i d o a g a i n s t the assault." T h i s s t r a n g e battle-

s o n a n d , w i t h reference t o m e l a n c h o l i a , that the m e l a n c h o l i c

f i e l d i s t o b e f o u n d , F r e u d m a i n t a i n s , i n "the r e g i o n o f the

" k n o w s w h o m h e has lost b u t n o t what h e h a s lost i n h i m . " I n

m e m o r y - t r a c e s of things."

m e l a n c h o l i a , the i d e a l that the p e r s o n r e p r e s e n t s a p p e a r s t o b e

A m b i v a l e n c e m a y b e a c h a r a c t e r i s t i c feature o f e v e r y l o v e

u n k n o w a b l e ; i n m o u r n i n g , the p e r s o n , o r the i d e a l that s u b s t i -

a t t a c h m e n t that a p a r t i c u l a r ego m a k e s , o r i t m a y " p r o c e e d

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p r e c i s e l y f r o m those e x p e r i e n c e s that i n v o l v e d the threat o f

T h e a m b i v a l e n c e that i s w i t h d r a w n f r o m c o n s c i o u s n e s s r e -

l o s i n g the object" (256). T h i s last r e m a r k suggests, h o w e v e r ,

m a i n s w i t h d r a w n " n o t u n t i l the o u t c o m e characteristic o f

that ambivalence may well be a result of loss, that the loss of an

m e l a n c h o l y h a s set i n " (257; " b i s n i c h t d e r f u r d i e M e l a n c h o l i e

object p r e c i p i t a t e s a n a m b i v a l e n c e t o w a r d i t a s p a r t o f the

c h a r a k t e r i s t i s c h e A u s g a n g e i n g e t r e t e n i s t " [211]). W h a t i s t h i s

p r o c e s s of l e t t i n g it go. If so, t h e n m e l a n c h o l i a , d e n n e d as the

c h a r a c t e r i s t i c " e x i t " o r " p o i n t o f d e p a r t u r e " that m e l a n c h o l y

a m b i v a l e n t r e a c t i o n t o loss, m a y b e c o e x t e n s i v e w i t h loss, s o

takes? F r e u d w r i t e s , " t h i s , a s w e k n o w , consists i n the threat-

that m o u r n i n g i s s u b s u m e d i n m e l a n c h o l i a . F r e u d ' s s t a t e m e n t

e n e d l i b i d i n a l c a t h e x i s a t l e n g t h a b a n d o n i n g the object, o n l y ,

that m e l a n c h o l i a arises f r o m " a n object-loss w i t h d r a w n f r o m

h o w e v e r , t o d r a w b a c k t o the p l a c e i n the ego f r o m w h i c h i t

consciousness" is thus specified in relation to ambivalence:

has p r o c e e d e d . " A m o r e p r e c i s e t r a n s l a t i o n w o u l d c l a r i f y that

5

" e v e r y t h i n g t o d o w i t h these s t r u g g l e s d u e t o a m b i v a l e n c e r e -

m e l a n c h o l i a i n v o l v e s a n a t t e m p t t o s u b s t i t u t e the ego f o r that

m a i n s w i t h d r a w n f r o m c o n s c i o u s n e s s , u n t i l the o u t c o m e c h a r -

cathexis, o n e that i n v o l v e s a r e t u r n of the cathexis to its p o i n t

a c t e r i s t i c o f m e l a n c h o l i a h a s set i n . " T h e a m b i v a l e n c e r e m a i n s

o f o r i g i n : the t h r e a t e n e d c a t h e x i s i s a b a n d o n e d , b u t o n l y t o

entzogen—withdrawn—only to

take on a s p e c i f i c f o r m in m e l -

pull itself back onto the place of the ego ("aber n u r , um s i c h a u f

a n c h o l i a , o n e i n w h i c h different aspects o f the p s y c h e a r e a c -

d i e S t e l l e des Ichs . . . z u r ù c k z u z i e h e n " ) , a p l a c e f r o m w h i c h

c o r d e d o p p o s i n g p o s i t i o n s w i t h i n the r e l a t i o n o f a m b i v a l e n c e .

the t h r e a t e n e d a t t a c h m e n t has d e p a r t e d ( " v o n d e r sie a u s g e -

F r e u d offers t h i s p s y c h i c a r t i c u l a t i o n o f a m b i v a l e n c e a s " a c o n -

gangen war").

flict b e t w e e n o n e p a r t o f the ego a n d the c r i t i c a l a g e n c y " a s a n

I n m e l a n c h o l i a , c a t h e x i s i s u n d e r s t o o d t o engage reflex-

a c c o u n t o f the f o r m a t i o n o f the s u p e r - e g o i n its c r i t i c a l r e l a t i o n

i v e l y w i t h itself ( " u m s i c h a u f d i e Stelle des Ichs . . . z u r ù c k -

t o the ego. A m b i v a l e n c e t h u s p r e c e d e s the p s y c h i c t o p o g r a -

z u z i e h e n " ) a n d , s p e c i f i c a l l y , t o d r a w o r p u l l itself i n a n d b a c k

p h y o f s u p e r - e g o / e g o ; its m e l a n c h o l i c a r t i c u l a t i o n i s offered

t o the p l a c e o f its o w n d e p a r t u r e o r g o i n g - o u t . T h i s " p l a c e "

a s the c o n d i t i o n o f p o s s i b i l i t y o f that v e r y t o p o g r a p h y . T h u s ,

of the ego is n o t q u i t e the s a m e as the ego itself, b u t s e e m s

i t w o u l d m a k e n o sense t o seek r e c o u r s e t o s u c h a t o p o g r a p h y

to r e p r e s e n t a p o i n t of d e p a r t u r e , an Ausgangspunkt, for the

to explain m e l a n c h o l i a , if the a m b i v a l e n c e that is s a i d to d i s -

l i b i d o , a s w e l l a s the m e l a n c h o l i c site o f its r e t u r n . I n t h i s r e -

tinguish melancholia is what then becomes articulated—after

t u r n of l i b i d o to its p l a c e of d e p a r t u r e , a p l a c e of the ego, a

a p e r i o d o f b e i n g w i t h d r a w n f r o m c o n s c i o u s n e s s — a s ego a n d

m e l a n c h o l i c c i r c u m s c r i p t i o n o f l i b i d o takes p l a c e .

super-ego. T h e internal topography by w h i c h melancholia is

T h i s r e t u r n is described as a w i t h d r a w a l , a d r a w i n g or p u l l -

p a r t i a l l y e x p l a i n e d i s itself the effect o f that m e l a n c h o l i a . W a l -

i n g b a c k (zuriickziehung), b u t also, in the n e x t l i n e , as a flight:

ter B e n j a m i n r e m a r k s that m e l a n c h o l i a s p a t i a l i z e s , a n d that

" D i e L i e b e hat s i c h s o d u r c h i h r e F l u c h t i n s I c h d e r A u f h e b u n g

its effort t o r e v e r s e o r s u s p e n d t i m e p r o d u c e s " l a n d s c a p e s " a s

e n t z o g e n " (210). A l t h o u g h t h i s l i n e i s t r a n s l a t e d i n f a m o u s l y

its s i g n a t u r e effect. O n e m i g h t p r o f i t a b l y r e a d the F r e u d i a n

a s " S o b y t a k i n g f l i g h t i n t o the ego l o v e escapes e x t i n c t i o n "

t o p o g r a p h y that m e l a n c h o l y o c c a s i o n s as p r e c i s e l y s u c h a s p a -

(257), the sense o f e s c a p i n g e x t i n c t i o n i s n o t p r e c i s e l y r i g h t .

t i a l i z e d l a n d s c a p e o f the m i n d .

T h e w o r d entzogen, for i n s t a n c e , w a s p r e v i o u s l y t r a n s l a t e d a s

6

7

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" w i t h d r a w n " a n d Aufhebung c a r r i e s a n o t o r i o u s l y a m b i g u o u s

r e p r e s e n t e d to c o n s c i o u s n e s s as a c o n f l i c t b e t w e e n p a r t s of the

set o f m e a n i n g s f r o m its c i r c u l a t i o n w i t h i n H e g e l i a n d i s c o u r s e :

ego; i n d e e d , the ego c o m e s t o b e r e p r e s e n t e d i n p a r t s o n l y o n

cancellation but not quite extinction; suspension, preserva-

the c o n d i t i o n that s u c h a w i t h d r a w a l o r r e g r e s s i o n has t a k e n

t i o n , a n d o v e r c o m i n g . T h r o u g h its f l i g h t i n t o the ego, o r i n the

p l a c e . I f m e l a n c h o l i a c o n s t i t u t e s the w i t h d r a w a l o r r e g r e s s i o n

ego, l o v e has w i t h d r a w n o r t a k e n a w a y its o w n o v e r c o m i n g ,

o f a m b i v a l e n c e , a n d i f that a m b i v a l e n c e b e c o m e s c o n s c i o u s

w i t h d r a w n a transformation, rendered it psychic. H e r e it is

t h r o u g h b e i n g r e p r e s e n t e d a s o p p o s i t i o n a l p a r t s o f the ego,

not a question of love "escaping an extinction" mandated f r o m

a n d that r e p r e s e n t a t i o n i s m a d e p o s s i b l e o n the c o n d i t i o n o f

e l s e w h e r e ; rather, l o v e i t s e l f w i t h d r a w s o r takes a w a y the d e -

that w i t h d r a w a l , t h e n i t f o l l o w s that t h i s p r é f i g u r a t i o n o f the

s t r u c t i o n o f the object, takes i t o n a s its o w n d e s t r u c t i v e n e s s .

t o p o g r a p h i c a l d i s t i n c t i o n b e t w e e n ego a n d s u p e r - e g o i s i t s e l f

I n s t e a d o f b r e a k i n g w i t h the object, o r t r a n s f o r m i n g the object

d e p e n d e n t u p o n m e l a n c h o l i a . M e l a n c h o l i a p r o d u c e s the p o s -

t h r o u g h m o u r n i n g , t h i s Aufhebung—this a c t i v e , n e g a t i n g , a n d

s i b i l i t y for the r e p r e s e n t a t i o n of p s y c h i c life. T h e Aufhebung

t r a n s f o r m a t i v e m o v e m e n t — i s t a k e n i n t o the ego. T h e " f l i g h t "

that i s w i t h d r a w n — o n e that m i g h t h a v e m e a n t the o v e r c o m i n g

of l o v e i n t o the ego is t h i s effort to s q u i r r e l the Aufhebung a w a y

of loss t h r o u g h a t t a c h m e n t to a s u b s t i t u t e o b j e c t — i s an Auf-

inside, to w i t h d r a w it f r o m external reality, a n d to institute an

hebung that r e e m e r g e s w i t h i n a n d as r e p r e s e n t a t i o n , a c a n c e l -

i n t e r n a l t o p o g r a p h y i n w h i c h the a m b i v a l e n c e m i g h t f i n d a n

l a t i o n a n d p r e s e r v a t i o n of the object, a set of " w o r d - t r a c e s " (to

altered articulation. The w i t h d r a w a l of ambivalence thus p r o -

u s e F r e u d ' s t e r m ) that b e c o m e s the p s y c h o a n a l y t i c r e p r e s e n -

d u c e s the p o s s i b i l i t y of a p s y c h i c t r a n s f o r m a t i o n , i n d e e d , a

t a t i o n o f p s y c h i c life.

fabulation of psychic topography.

T o w h a t extent d o e s m e l a n c h o l i a r e p r e s e n t a n o t h e r w i s e

T h i s f l i g h t a n d w i t h d r a w a l i s n a m e d , i n the n e x t l i n e , a s a

unrepresentable ambivalence by fabulating psychic topogra-

r e g r e s s i o n , o n e that m a k e s p o s s i b l e the c o n s c i o u s r e p r e s e n t a -

p h i e s ? R e p r e s e n t a t i o n i s itself i m p l i c a t e d i n m e l a n c h o l i a , that

t i o n o f m e l a n c h o l i a : " A f t e r t h i s r e g r e s s i o n o f the l i b i d o the p r o -

is, the effort to r e - p r e s e n t that is at an i n f i n i t e d i s t a n c e f r o m its

cess c a n b e c o m e c o n s c i o u s , and it is represented to consciousness

object. M o r e s p e c i f i c a l l y , m e l a n c h o l i a p r o v i d e s the c o n d i t i o n

as a conflict between one part of the ego and the critical agency [ u n d

o f p o s s i b i l i t y for the a r t i c u l a t i o n o f p s y c h i c t o p o g r a p h i e s , o f

r e p r a s e n t i e r t s i c h d e m B e w u s s t s e i n als e i n K o n f l i k t z w i s c h e n

the ego i n its c o n s t i t u t i v e r e l a t i o n t o the s u p e r - e g o a n d t h u s o f

e i n e m T e i l des Ichs a n d d e r k r i t i s c h e n I n s t a n z ; m y e m p h a s i s ] . "

the ego itself. A l t h o u g h the ego i s s a i d t o b e the p o i n t o f d e p a r -

W h e r e a s o n e m i g h t e x p e c t that the r e g r e s s i o n o f the l i b i d o ,

t u r e for a l i b i d o that i s s u b s e q u e n t l y w i t h d r a w n i n t o the ego,

its b e i n g w i t h d r a w n i n t o c o n s c i o u s n e s s (as w e l l a s the w i t h -

i t n o w a p p e a r s that o n l y u p o n s u c h a w i t h d r a w a l c a n the ego

d r a w a l o f a m b i v a l e n c e i n t o c o n s c i o u s n e s s ) i s the f a i l u r e o f its

e m e r g e a s a n object for c o n s c i o u s n e s s , s o m e t h i n g that m i g h t

a r t i c u l a t i o n , the o p p o s i t e a p p e a r s t o b e the case. O n l y u p o n

be r e p r e s e n t e d at a l l , w h e t h e r as a p o i n t of d e p a r t u r e or a site

the c o n d i t i o n o f s u c h a w i t h d r a w a l d o e s m e l a n c h o l i a t a k e

o f r e t u r n . I n d e e d , the p h r a s e " w i t h d r a w n i n t o the e g o " i s the

a conscious f o r m . The w i t h d r a w a l or regression of libido is

r e t r o a c t i v e p r o d u c t o f the m e l a n c h o l i c p r o c e s s i t p u r p o r t s t o

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describe. T h u s it does not, strictly speaking, describe a pre-

ego, s u g g e s t i n g that i n s o m e p r i o r state, t h i s c r i t i c a l f a c u l t y

constituted psychic process but emerges in a belated fashion

w a s n o t yet separate. H o w , p r e c i s e l y , this s p l i t t i n g o f the ego

as a representation c o n d i t i o n e d by m e l a n c h o l i c w i t h d r a w a l .

i n t o p a r t s o c c u r s is, i t seems, p a r t o f the strange, f a b u l a t i n g

T h i s last p o i n t raises the q u e s t i o n o f the status o f the p s y -

scene i n i t i a t e d b y m e l a n c h o l y , the w i t h d r a w a l o f c a t h e x i s f r o m

c h i c t o p o g r a p h i e s that p r e d o m i n a t e i n this a n d o t h e r essays

the object to the ego, a n d the s u b s e q u e n t e m e r g e n c e of a r e p -

b y F r e u d . A l t h o u g h o n e m i g h t e x p e c t that s u c h t o p o g r a p h i e s

r e s e n t a t i o n o f the p s y c h e i n t e r m s o f s p l i t s a n d parts, a r t i c u l a t -

are to be r e a d as the e x p l a n a t o r y a p p a r a t u s of p s y c h o a n a l y -

i n g ambivalence a n d internal antagonism. Is this t o p o g r a p h y

sis a n d n o t , a s i t w e r e , o n e o f its t e x t u a l i z e d s y m p t o m s , F r e u d

n o t s y m p t o m a t i c o f w h a t i t seeks t o e x p l a i n ? H o w else d o w e

suggests that the v e r y d i s t i n c t i o n b e t w e e n ego a n d s u p e r - e g o

e x p l a i n this i n t e r i o r i z a t i o n o f the p s y c h e a n d its e x p r e s s i o n

c a n b e t r a c e d t o a n a m b i v a l e n c e that i s first w i t h d r a w n f r o m

h e r e as a scene of p a r t i t i o n a n d c o n f r o n t a t i o n ? Is there an i m -

consciousness a n d then reemerges as a p s y c h i c topography

p l i c i t s o c i a l text i n this t o p o g r a p h i c a l r e n d i t i o n o f p s y c h i c life,

i n w h i c h " c r i t i c a l a g e n c y " i s s p l i t off f r o m the ego. S i m i l a r l y ,

o n e that i n s t a l l s a n t a g o n i s m (the threat of j u d g m e n t ) as the

i n h i s d i s c u s s i o n o f the self-beratements o f the s u p e r - e g o , h e

s t r u c t u r a l n e c e s s i t y o f the t o p o g r a p h i c a l m o d e l , o n e that f o l -

refers t e l l i n g l y to c o n s c i e n c e as "one of the m a j o r i n s t i t u t i o n s

lows f r o m melancholia a n d f r o m a w i t h d r a w a l of attachment?

of the ego."

M e l a n c h o l i a d e s c r i b e s a p r o c e s s b y w h i c h a n o r i g i n a l l y ex-

C l e a r l y p l a y i n g on a metaphor of a socially constructed d o -

t e r n a l object i s lost, o r a n i d e a l i s lost, a n d the r e f u s a l t o b r e a k

m a i n o f p o w e r , F r e u d ' s reference t o c o n s c i e n c e a s " a m o n g the

the a t t a c h m e n t t o s u c h a n object o r i d e a l l e a d s t o the w i t h -

m a j o r i n s t i t u t i o n s of the ego [Ichinstitutionen]" (247) suggests

d r a w a l of the object i n t o the ego, the r e p l a c e m e n t of the object

n o t o n l y that c o n s c i e n c e i s i n s t i t u t e d , p r o d u c e d , a n d m a i n -

b y the ego, a n d the s e t t i n g u p o f a n i n n e r w o r l d i n w h i c h a

t a i n e d w i t h i n a l a r g e r p o l i t y a n d its o r g a n i z a t i o n , b u t that the

c r i t i c a l a g e n c y i s s p l i t off f r o m the ego a n d p r o c e e d s t o take

ego a n d its v a r i o u s p a r t s are accessible t h r o u g h a m e t a p h o r i c a l

the ego as its object. In a w e l l - k n o w n passage, F r e u d m a k e s

l a n g u a g e that attributes a s o c i a l c o n t e n t a n d s t r u c t u r e to these

c l e a r that the a c c u s a t i o n s that the c r i t i c a l a g e n c y is s a i d to l e v e l

p r e s u m a b l y psychic phenomena. A l t h o u g h F r e u d begins his

against the ego t u r n o u t t o b e v e r y m u c h l i k e the a c c u s a t i o n s

essay b y i n s i s t i n g o n the i n d i s p u t a b l y " p s y c h o g e n i c n a t u r e "

that the ego w o u l d h a v e l e v e l e d a g a i n s t the object o r the i d e a l .

(243) o f the m e l a n c h o l i a a n d m o u r n i n g u n d e r c o n s i d e r a t i o n

T h u s , the ego a b s o r b s b o t h l o v e a n d rage a g a i n s t the object.

i n the essay, h e also p r o v i d e s s o c i a l m e t a p h o r s that n o t o n l y

M e l a n c h o l i a appears to be a process of internalization, a n d one

g o v e r n the t o p o g r a p h i c d e s c r i p t i o n s o f m e l a n c h o l y ' s o p e r a -

m i g h t w e l l r e a d its effects as a p s y c h i c state that has e f f e c t i v e l y

tion, but i m p l i c i t l y u n d o his o w n c l a i m to p r o v i d e a specifi-

s u b s t i t u t e d itself for the w o r l d i n w h i c h i t d w e l l s . T h e effect o f

c a l l y p s y c h o g e n i c e x p l a n a t i o n o f these p s y c h i c states. F r e u d

m e l a n c h o l i a , t h e n , a p p e a r s t o b e the loss o f the s o c i a l w o r l d ,

d e s c r i b e s "one p a r t of the ego [that] sets itself o v e r against the

the s u b s t i t u t i o n o f p s y c h i c p a r t s a n d a n t a g o n i s m s f o r e x t e r n a l

other, j u d g e s it c r i t i c a l l y , a n d , as it w e r e , takes it as its object."

r e l a t i o n s a m o n g s o c i a l actors: " a n object-loss w a s t r a n s f o r m e d

A c r i t i c a l a g e n c y is s a i d to be " s p l i t off" (abgespalten) f r o m the

i n t o a n ego-loss a n d the c o n f l i c t b e t w e e n the ego a n d the l o v e d

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p e r s o n i n t o a c l e a v a g e b e t w e e n the c r i t i c a l a c t i v i t y o f the ego

p r o c e s s ) t r a n s f o r m s the object (one m i g h t e v e n u s e the t e r m

a n d the ego a s a l t e r e d b y i d e n t i f i c a t i o n " (249).

Aufhebung for s u c h a t r a n s f o r m a t i o n ) ; the o t h e r is t a k e n in

8

T h e object i s lost, a n d the ego i s s a i d t o w i t h d r a w the o b -

a n d t r a n s f o r m e d i n t o a n ego, b u t a n ego t o b e r e v i l e d , t h e r e b y

ject i n t o itself. T h e "object" t h u s w i t h d r a w n i s a l r e a d y m a g i c a l ,

b o t h p r o d u c i n g a n d s t r e n g t h e n i n g the c r i t i c a l " a g e n c y . . .

a trace of s o m e k i n d , a r e p r e s e n t a t i v e of the object, b u t n o t

c o m m o n l y called conscience." A f o r m of m o r a l reflexivity is

the object itself, w h i c h is, after a l l , gone. T h e ego i n t o w h i c h

p r o d u c e d i n w h i c h the ego s p l i t s itself t o f u r n i s h a n i n t e r -

t h i s r e m n a n t i s " b r o u g h t " i s n o t e x a c t l y a s h e l t e r f o r lost p a r t -

n a l p e r s p e c t i v e b y w h i c h t o j u d g e itself. T h i s r e f l e x i v e r e l a -

objects, a l t h o u g h i t i s s o m e t i m e s d e s c r i b e d that w a y . T h e ego

t i o n b y w h i c h the ego b e c o m e s a n object f o r itself t u r n s o u t

i s " a l t e r e d b y i d e n t i f i c a t i o n , " that is, a l t e r e d b y v i r t u e o f ab-

to be a w i t h d r a w n a n d t r a n s f o r m e d (entzogen a n d aufgehoben)

s o r b i n g the object o r p u l l i n g b a c k its o w n c a t h e x i s o n t o itself.

r e l a t i o n t o the lost o t h e r ; i n t h i s sense, r e f l e x i v i t y a p p e a r s t o

T h e " p r i c e " o f s u c h a n i d e n t i f i c a t i o n , h o w e v e r , i s that the ego

d e p e n d u p o n the p r i o r o p e r a t i o n o f m e l a n c h o l i a . T h e ego i s

s p l i t s i n t o the c r i t i c a l a g e n c y a n d the ego a s object o f c r i t i c i s m

a l s o f i g u r e d as h a v i n g a voice t h r o u g h this p r o c e s s , a n d it a p -

a n d j u d g m e n t . T h u s the r e l a t i o n t o the object r e a p p e a r s " i n "

p e a r s i m p e r a t i v e w i t h i n m e l a n c h o l i a that s e l f - b e r a t e m e n t b e

the ego, n o t m e r e l y as a m e n t a l e v e n t or s i n g u l a r r e p r e s e n -

v o i c e d , n o t m e r e l y t o oneself, b u t i n the p r e s e n c e o f others.

t a t i o n , b u t as a scene of s e l f - b e r a t e m e n t that r e c o n f i g u r e s the

T h e s e l f - r e p r o a c h e s o f the ego are n o t s i m p l y the i m i t a t i o n

t o p o g r a p h y o f the ego, a f a n t a s y o f i n t e r n a l p a r t i t i o n a n d j u d g -

o f r e p r o a c h e s o n c e l e v e l e d a g a i n s t the ego f r o m the o n e lost,

m e n t that c o m e s t o s t r u c t u r e the r e p r e s e n t a t i o n o f p s y c h i c life

a s i s c o m m o n l y a s s u m e d ; rather, t h e y are r e p r o a c h e s l e v e l e d

tout court. T h e ego n o w s t a n d s for the object, a n d the c r i t i c a l

a g a i n s t the o t h e r that n o w t u r n b a c k u p o n the ego.

a g e n c y c o m e s to r e p r e s e n t the ego's d i s o w n e d rage, r e i f i e d as

Before we consider m o r e closely what it means for some-

a p s y c h i c a g e n c y separate f r o m the ego itself. T h a t rage, a n d

t h i n g to " t u r n back u p o n itself" in this way, it seems i m p o r -

the a t t a c h m e n t i t i m p l i e s , are " t u r n e d b a c k u p o n " the ego, b u t

tant t o n o t e that the p s y c h i c f o r m o f r e f l e x i v i t y m e l a n c h o l i a

from where?

elaborates c a r r i e s the trace of the o t h e r w i t h i n it as a d i s s i m u -

Yet c e r t a i n s o c i a l l y i d e n t i f i a b l e features o f the m e l a n c h o l i c ,

l a t e d s o c i a l i t y , a n d that the p e r f o r m a n c e o f m e l a n c h o l i a a s the

i n c l u d i n g " c o m m u n i c a t i v e n e s s , " suggest that m e l a n c h o l i a i s

s h a m e l e s s v o i c i n g o f s e l f - b e r a t e m e n t i n f r o n t o f o t h e r s effects

n o t a n a s o c i a l p s y c h i c state. I n fact, m e l a n c h o l i a i s p r o d u c e d

a d e t o u r that rejoins m e l a n c h o l i a t o its lost o r w i t h d r a w n s o c i -

t o the extent that the s o c i a l w o r l d i s e c l i p s e d b y the p s y c h i c ,

ality. I n m e l a n c h o l i a , n o t o n l y i s the loss o f a n o t h e r o r a n i d e a l

that a c e r t a i n transfer of a t t a c h m e n t f r o m objects to ego takes

lost t o c o n s c i o u s n e s s , b u t the s o c i a l w o r l d i n w h i c h s u c h a loss

p l a c e , n o t w i t h o u t a c o n t a m i n a t i o n o f the p s y c h i c s p h e r e b y

b e c a m e p o s s i b l e i s a l s o lost. T h e m e l a n c h o l i c d o e s n o t m e r e l y

the s o c i a l s p h e r e that i s a b a n d o n e d . F r e u d suggests a s m u c h

w i t h d r a w the lost object f r o m c o n s c i o u s n e s s , b u t w i t h d r a w s

w h e n h e e x p l a i n s that the lost o t h e r i s n o t s i m p l y b r o u g h t i n -

i n t o the p s y c h e a c o n f i g u r a t i o n o f the s o c i a l w o r l d a s w e l l . T h e

s i d e the ego, a s o n e m i g h t shelter a w a y w a r d d o g . T h e act o f

ego thus b e c o m e s a " p o l i t y " a n d c o n s c i e n c e o n e of its " m a j o r

i n t e r n a l i z a t i o n (to be c o n s t r u e d as a f a n t a s y r a t h e r t h a n as a

i n s t i t u t i o n s , " p r e c i s e l y b e c a u s e p s y c h i c life w i t h d r a w s a s o c i a l

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w o r l d i n t o itself i n a n effort t o a n n u l the losses that w o r l d d e -

self a n d r e h a b i l i t a t e the o t h e r i n the f o r m o f m y o w n i n t e r n a l

m a n d s . W i t h i n m e l a n c h o l i a , the p s y c h e b e c o m e s the t o p o s i n

a m b i v a l e n c e . I refuse to s p e a k to or of the other, b u t I s p e a k

w h i c h there i s n o loss a n d , i n d e e d , n o n e g a t i o n . M e l a n c h o l i a

v o l u m i n o u s l y a b o u t m y s e l f , l e a v i n g a r e f r a c t e d t r a i l of w h a t I

refuses t o a c k n o w l e d g e loss, a n d i n t h i s sense " p r e s e r v e s " its

d i d n o t say t o o r a b o u t the other. T h e s t r o n g e r the i n h i b i t i o n

lost objects as p s y c h i c effects.

a g a i n s t e x p r e s s i o n , the s t r o n g e r the e x p r e s s i o n o f c o n s c i e n c e .

F r e u d r e m a r k s the s o c i a l c o n d u c t o f the m e l a n c h o l i c , e m -

H o w d o e s t h i s p r o b l e m o f the u n c o n s c i o u s loss, the r e f u s e d

p h a s i z i n g h i s o r her s h a m e l e s s s e l f - e x p o s u r e : "the m e l a n c h o l i c

loss, that m a r k s m e l a n c h o l i a r e t u r n u s t o the p r o b l e m o f the r e -

does n o t b e h a v e i n q u i t e the s a m e w a y a s a p e r s o n w h o i s

l a t i o n b e t w e e n the p s y c h i c a n d the s o c i a l ? I n m o u r n i n g , F r e u d

crushed by remorse a n d self-reproach in a n o r m a l fashion.

tells us, there is n o t h i n g a b o u t the loss that is u n c o n s c i o u s . In

F e e l i n g s o f s h a m e are l a c k i n g . . . o r . . . are n o t p r o m i n e n t . . . .

m e l a n c h o l i a , h e m a i n t a i n s , "the object-loss i s w i t h d r a w n f r o m

O n e m i g h t e m p h a s i z e the p r e s e n c e i n h i m o f a n a l m o s t o p p o -

c o n s c i o u s n e s s " : the object i s n o t o n l y lost, b u t that loss itself i s

site t r a i t o f i n s i s t e n t c o m m u n i c a t i v e n e s s w h i c h f i n d s satisfac-

lost, w i t h d r a w n a n d p r e s e r v e d i n the s u s p e n d e d t i m e o f p s y -

t i o n i n s e l f - e x p o s u r e " (247). T h e m e l a n c h o l i c s u s t a i n s a n i n -

c h i c life. I n o t h e r w o r d s , a c c o r d i n g t o the m e l a n c h o l i c , " I h a v e

d i r e c t a n d d e f l e c t e d r e l a t i o n s h i p t o the s o c i a l i t y f r o m w h i c h

lost n o t h i n g . "

he or she has w i t h d r a w n . O n e would have d e n o u n c e d the lost

T h e u n s p e a k a b i l i t y a n d u n r e p r e s e n t a b i l i t y o f t h i s loss t r a n s -

other if one c o u l d — f o r departing, if for no other reason. F u l -

lates d i r e c t l y i n t o a h e i g h t e n i n g o f c o n s c i e n c e . W h e r e o n e

f i l l i n g a w i s h w h o s e f o r m , the past s u b j u n c t i v e , p r e c l u d e s

m i g h t e x p e c t that c o n s c i e n c e w o u l d w a x a n d w a n e a c c o r d i n g

a n y s u c h f u l f i l l m e n t , the m e l a n c h o l i c seeks n o t o n l y t o r e -

t o the s t r e n g t h o f e x t e r n a l l y i m p o s e d p r o h i b i t i o n s , i t a p p e a r s

verse t i m e , r e i n s t a t i n g the i m a g i n a r y past a s the p r e s e n t , b u t

that its s t r e n g t h has m o r e t o d o w i t h m a r s h a l l i n g aggres-

t o o c c u p y e v e r y p o s i t i o n a n d t h e r e b y t o p r e c l u d e the loss o f

s i o n i n the s e r v i c e o f r e f u s i n g t o a c k n o w l e d g e a loss that h a s

the addressee. T h e m e l a n c h o l i c w o u l d h a v e said something, if

a l r e a d y t a k e n p l a c e , a r e f u s a l to lose a t i m e that is a l r e a d y

h e o r she c o u l d , b u t d i d n o t , a n d n o w b e l i e v e s i n the s u s -

gone. O d d l y , the p s y c h e ' s m o r a l i s m a p p e a r s t o b e a n i n d e x o f

t a i n i n g p o w e r o f the v o i c e . V a i n l y , the m e l a n c h o l i c n o w says

its o w n t h w a r t e d g r i e f a n d i l l e g i b l e rage. T h u s , i f the r e l a t i o n

w h a t h e o r she w o u l d h a v e s a i d , a d d r e s s e d o n l y t o h i m s e l f , a s

b e t w e e n m e l a n c h o l i a a n d s o c i a l life i s t o b e r e e s t a b l i s h e d , i t i s

o n e w h o i s a l r e a d y s p l i t off f r o m h i m s e l f , b u t w h o s e p o w e r o f self-address d e p e n d s u p o n this self-forfeiture. T h e m e l a n c h o l i c t h u s b u r r o w s i n a d i r e c t i o n o p p o s i t e t o that i n w h i c h h e m i g h t f i n d a fresher trace of the lost other, a t t e m p t i n g to r e s o l v e the loss t h r o u g h p s y c h i c s u b s t i t u t i o n s a n d c o m p o u n d i n g the loss as he goes. A f a i l u r e of address, a f a i l u r e to s u s t a i n the o t h e r t h r o u g h the v o i c e that addresses, m e l a n c h o l i a e m e r g e s as a c o m p e n s a t o r y f o r m of n e g a t i v e n a r c i s s i s m : I r e v i l e m y -

n o t t o b e m e a s u r e d b y r e g a r d i n g the self-beratements o f c o n science a s m i m e t i c i n t e r n a l i z a t i o n s o f the b e r a t e m e n t s l e v e l e d b y s o c i a l agencies o f j u d g m e n t o r p r o h i b i t i o n . R a t h e r , f o r m s o f s o c i a l p o w e r e m e r g e that r e g u l a t e w h a t losses w i l l a n d w i l l n o t b e g r i e v e d ; i n the s o c i a l f o r e c l o s u r e o f g r i e f w e m i g h t f i n d w h a t fuels the i n t e r n a l v i o l e n c e o f c o n s c i e n c e . A l t h o u g h s o c i a l p o w e r r e g u l a t e s w h a t losses c a n b e g r i e v e d , it is n o t a l w a y s as effective as it a i m s to be. T h e loss c a n -

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science w o r k i n s u c h a w a y that the s u p e r - e g o gauges the ego

c a n d i r e c t l y b e a f f i r m e d . T h e " p l a i n t s " o f the m e l a n c h o l i c are

against the " e g o - i d e a l . " T h e ego i s f o u n d t o b e i m p o v e r i s h e d

i n v a r i a b l y m i s d i r e c t e d , yet i n t h i s m i s d i r e c t i o n r e s i d e s a n a -

b e s i d e t h i s i d e a l , a n d the " l o s s " that the ego suffers is a loss

scent p o l i t i c a l text. T h e p r o h i b i t i o n on g r i e f registers as a loss

o f c o m m e n s u r a b i l i t y b e t w e e n itself a n d the i d e a l b y w h i c h i t

o f s p e e c h for its addressee. T h e p a i n o f loss i s " c r e d i t e d " t o

is judged. W h e r e does this i d e a l emerge from? Is it a r b i t r a r i l y

the o n e w h o suffers it, a t w h i c h p o i n t the loss i s u n d e r s t o o d

m a n u f a c t u r e d b y the ego, o r d o s u c h i d e a l s r e t a i n the t r a c e o f

as a f a u l t or i n j u r y d e s e r v i n g of redress; o n e seeks r e d r e s s f o r

s o c i a l r e g u l a t i o n a n d n o r m a t i v i t y ? F r e u d r e m a r k s that m e l a n -

h a r m s d o n e t o oneself, b u t f r o m n o o n e e x c e p t oneself.

c h o l i a is a r e s p o n s e n o t just to d e a t h , b u t to o t h e r o r d e r s of

T h e v i o l e n c e o f s o c i a l r e g u l a t i o n i s n o t t o b e f o u n d i n its

loss, i n c l u d i n g "slights a n d d i s a p p o i n t m e n t s " (250). A n d w h e n

u n i l a t e r a l a c t i o n , b u t i n the c i r c u i t o u s r o u t e b y w h i c h the p s y -

h e i n t r o d u c e s the n o t i o n that b o t h m o u r n i n g a n d m e l a n c h o l i a

che accuses itself o f its o w n w o r t h l e s s n e s s . N o d o u b t , t h i s i s a

c a n b e r e s p o n s e s t o the loss o f a n i d e a l , s u c h a s " c o u n t r y " o r

strange a n d o p a q u e s y m p t o m o f u n r e s o l v e d grief. W h y does

" l i b e r t y , " h e m a k e s c l e a r b y h i s e x a m p l e s that s u c h i d e a l s are

the r e t r a c t i o n of the lost o t h e r i n t o the ego, the r e f u s a l to ac-

s o c i a l i n character.

k n o w l e d g e loss, c u l m i n a t e in a d e p r i v a t i o n of the ego? Is the

T h e i d e a l s b y w h i c h the ego j u d g e s itself c l e a r l y are ones b y

loss r e s i t u a t e d i n a w a y that n u l l i f i e s the ego i n o r d e r , p s y -

w h i c h the ego w i l l b e f o u n d w a n t i n g . T h e m e l a n c h o l i c c o m -

c h i c a l l y , to save the object? T h e decrease in self-esteem that is

p a r e s h i m - o r herself i n v i d i o u s l y w i t h s u c h s o c i a l i d e a l s . I f

said to distinguish melancholia f r o m m o u r n i n g appears to re-

t h e y are the p s y c h i c s a n c t i f i c a t i o n o f o n c e - e x t e r n a l objects o r

sult f r o m p r o d i g i o u s efforts b y the c r i t i c a l a g e n c y t o d e p r i v e

i d e a l s , t h e n they are s e e m i n g l y a l s o the target o f a g g r e s s i o n .

the ego of its esteem. B u t o n e c o u l d e q u a l l y say that there is no

I n d e e d , w e m i g h t w e l l ask w h e t h e r the s i t u a t i o n i n w h i c h the

q u e s t i o n o f h i g h o r l o w self-esteem p r i o r t o the o p e r a t i o n o f

ego is, as it w e r e , b e r a t e d by the i d e a l is n o t the i n v e r s i o n of

t h i s c r i t i c a l agency, n o " e s t e e m " that b e l o n g s t o the ego p r i o r t o

a p r i o r s i t u a t i o n i n w h i c h the ego w o u l d , i f i t c o u l d , h a v e b e -

its p a r t i t i o n i n t o ego a n d s u p e r - e g o . P r i o r t o the o p e r a t i o n o f

r a t e d the i d e a l . Is the p s y c h i c v i o l e n c e of c o n s c i e n c e n o t a r e -

a c r i t i c a l agency, it w o u l d be d i f f i c u l t to g a u g e the ego against

f r a c t e d i n d i c t m e n t o f the s o c i a l f o r m s that h a v e m a d e c e r t a i n

an i d e a l , a j u d g m e n t that p r e s u p p o s e s a c r i t i c a l a g e n c y that

k i n d s o f losses u n g r i e v a b l e ?

m i g h t a p p r o v e o r d i s a p p r o v e o f the ego's m o r a l state. I n t h i s

T h u s , a loss i n the w o r l d that c a n n o t b e d e c l a r e d enrages,

sense, self-esteem a p p e a r s t o b e p r o d u c e d b y the v e r y c r i t i c a l

generates a m b i v a l e n c e , a n d b e c o m e s the loss " i n " the ego that

agency by w h i c h it is potentially destroyed.

i s n a m e l e s s a n d d i f f u s e a n d that p r o m p t s p u b l i c r i t u a l s o f self-

F r e u d d o e s refer t o t h i s r e s i t u a t i n g o f loss i n the ego w h e n

b e r a t e m e n t . O f m o u r n i n g , F r e u d w r i t e s that i t " i m p e l s the

he refers to the ego as i m p o v e r i s h e d , as h a v i n g b e c o m e p o o r ,

ego to g i v e up the object by declaring the object to be d e a d "

a n d " a n object-loss . . . t r a n s f o r m e d i n t o an e g o - l o s s " (249).

(257, m y e m p h a s i s ) . M e l a n c h o l i a , i t w o u l d f o l l o w , refuses t o

T h i s loss i n the ego i s a p p a r e n t l y a loss o f a n i d e a l o f itself, a n d

m a k e a n y s u c h d e c l a r a t i o n , d e c l i n e s s p e e c h , s u s p e n d i n g the

i n F r e u d ' s later w o r k , h e specifies that the j u d g m e n t s o f c o n -

" v e r d i c t o f r e a l i t y that the object n o l o n g e r e x i s t s " (255). W e

•

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k n o w , h o w e v e r , that the m e l a n c h o l i c i s also " c o m m u n i c a t i v e , "

(246). T h e a g g r e s s i o n t u r n e d against the ego has the p o w e r

w h i c h suggests that h i s o r h e r s p e e c h i s n e i t h e r v e r d i c t i v e

t o contest a n d o v e r c o m e the d e s i r e t o l i v e . A t t h i s p o i n t i n

n o r d e c l a r a t i v e (assertoric), b u t i n e v i t a b l y i n d i r e c t a n d c i r c u -

F r e u d ' s theory, a g g r e s s i o n against o n e s e l f i s d e r i v e d f r o m a n

i t o u s . W h a t c a n n o t b e d e c l a r e d b y the m e l a n c h o l i c i s n e v e r -

o u t w a r d l y d i r e c t e d a g g r e s s i o n against a n other. B u t o n e c a n

theless w h a t g o v e r n s m e l a n c h o l i c s p e e c h — a n u n s p e a k a b i l i t y

d i s c e r n i n this f o r m u l a t i o n the b e g i n n i n g s o f r e f l e c t i o n o n a

that o r g a n i z e s the f i e l d of the s p e a k a b l e .

d r i v e that m i g h t b e s a i d t o c o u n t e r the p l e a s u r e p r i n c i p l e ,

" T h e loss o f the m e l a n c h o l i c seems p u z z l i n g t o u s b e c a u s e

w h a t is later r e f e r r e d to as the d e a t h d r i v e .

we cannot see what it is that is a b s o r b i n g h i m so e n t i r e l y " (247).

I n m e l a n c h o l i a , the ego c o n t r a c t s s o m e t h i n g o f the loss o r

W h a t c a n n o t b e d i r e c t l y s p o k e n i s also w h a t i s o c c l u d e d f r o m

a b a n d o n m e n t b y w h i c h the object i s n o w m a r k e d , a n a b a n -

sight, absent f r o m the v i s u a l f i e l d that o r g a n i z e d m e l a n c h o -

d o n m e n t that i s r e f u s e d a n d , a s r e f u s e d , i s i n c o r p o r a t e d . I n

lia. Melancholia is kept from view; it is an absorption by

this sense, to refuse a loss is to b e c o m e it. If the ego c a n n o t

s o m e t h i n g that c a n n o t b e a c c o m m o d a t e d b y v i s i o n , that re-

accept the loss of the other, t h e n the loss that the o t h e r c o m e s

sists b e i n g b r o u g h t i n t o the o p e n , n e i t h e r seen n o r d e c l a r e d .

t o r e p r e s e n t b e c o m e s the loss that n o w c h a r a c t e r i z e s the ego:

A s p r i v a t e a n d i r r e c o v e r a b l e a s t h i s loss seems, the m e l a n -

the ego b e c o m e s p o o r a n d i m p o v e r i s h e d . A loss s u f f e r e d i n

cholic is strangely outgoing, p u r s u i n g an "insistent c o m m u n i -

the w o r l d b e c o m e s n o w the c h a r a c t e r i s t i c l a c k i n the ego ( a

cativeness w h i c h f i n d s s a t i s f a c t i o n i n s e l f - e x p o s u r e " (247). T h e

s p l i t that is, a s i t w e r e , i m p o r t e d t h r o u g h the n e c e s s a r y w o r k

w o r t h l e s s n e s s o f the ego i s i n s i s t e n t l y c o m m u n i c a t e d . M e l -

of internalization).

ancholic speech, neither verdictive nor declarative, remains

I n t h i s w a y , m e l a n c h o l i a operates i n a d i r e c t i o n d i r e c t l y

u n a b l e t o s p e a k its loss. W h a t the m e l a n c h o l i c does d e c l a r e ,

c o u n t e r t o n a r c i s s i s m . E c h o i n g the b i b l i c a l c a d e n c e o f "the

n a m e l y , h i s o w n w o r t h l e s s n e s s , i d e n t i f i e s the loss a t the s i g h t

s h a d o w o f d e a t h , " a w a y i n w h i c h d e a t h i m p o s e s its p r e s e n c e

of the ego a n d , hence, c o n t i n u e s to f a i l to i d e n t i f y the loss. S e l f - b e r a t e m e n t takes the p l a c e o f a b a n d o n m e n t , a n d b e c o m e s the t o k e n of its r e f u s a l .

o n life, F r e u d r e m a r k s that i n m e l a n c h o l i a "the s h a d o w o f the object fell u p o n the e g o " (249). I n L a c a n ' s essays o n n a r c i s s i s m , the f o r m u l a t i o n i s i m p o r t a n t l y r e v e r s e d : the s h a d o w o f

The heightening of conscience under such circumstances

the ego falls u p o n the object. N a r c i s s i s m c o n t i n u e s t o c o n t r o l

attests to the u n a v o w e d status of the loss. T h e ego b e c o m e s

l o v e , e v e n w h e n that n a r c i s s i s m a p p e a r s t o g i v e w a y t o object-

m o r a l i z e d o n the c o n d i t i o n o f u n g r i e v e d loss. B u t w h a t c o n d i -

l o v e : it is s t i l l m y s e l f that I f i n d there at the site of the object,

t i o n s m a k e i t p o s s i b l e t o g r i e v e , o r n o t t o g r i e v e , loss?

9

m y absence. I n m e l a n c h o l i a t h i s f o r m u l a t i o n i s r e v e r s e d : i n the

T h e ego n o t o n l y b r i n g s the object i n s i d e b u t b r i n g s ag-

p l a c e of the loss that the o t h e r c o m e s to r e p r e s e n t , I f i n d m y -

g r e s s i o n against the object a l o n g w i t h it. T h e m o r e t h i s object

self t o b e that loss, i m p o v e r i s h e d , w a n t i n g . I n n a r c i s s i s t i c l o v e ,

is b r o u g h t i n s i d e , as it w e r e , the h i g h e r the s e l f - d e b a s e m e n t ,

the o t h e r c o n t r a c t s m y a b u n d a n c e . I n m e l a n c h o l i a , I c o n t r a c t

the p o o r e r the ego b e c o m e s : d e l u s i o n a l self-abasement "over-

the o t h e r ' s absence.

c o m e s the i n s t i n c t w h i c h c o m p e l s e v e r y l i v i n g t h i n g t o l i f e "

T h i s o p p o s i t i o n b e t w e e n m e l a n c h o l i a a n d n a r c i s s i s m ges-

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t u r e s t o w a r d the d u a l - d r i v e theory. F r e u d i s c l e a r that m e l a n -

b e e n e x p e r i e n c e d a s " t u r n e d a r o u n d u p o n the subject's o w n

cholia must be u n d e r s t o o d in part as a narcissistic disturbance.

self" (251) — " e i n e W e n d u n g g e g e n d i e eigene P e r s o n e r f a h r e n

S o m e o f its features c o m e f r o m n a r c i s s i s m , b u t s o m e c o m e

h a b e n . " T h e a m b i v a l e n c e that c o n t a i n s t h i s a g g r e s s i o n s p l i t s

f r o m m o u r n i n g . I n m a k i n g t h i s c l a i m , F r e u d a p p e a r s t o set

the cathexis, w h i c h i s t h e n d i s t r i b u t e d i n t o "parts": p a r t o f

m o u r n i n g as a l i m i t to n a r c i s s i s m , or p e r h a p s , as its c o u n t e r -

the e r o t i c cathexis regresses to i d e n t i f i c a t i o n ; the other p a r t to

d i r e c t i o n . W h a t e r o d e s the ego i n m e l a n c h o l i a i s u n d e r s t o o d

s a d i s m . Set up as i n t e r n a l p a r t s of the ego, the s a d i s t i c p a r t

to be a loss that w a s o r i g i n a l l y e x t e r n a l , b u t by The Ego and

takes a i m a t the p a r t that i d e n t i f i e s , a n d the p s y c h i c a l l y v i o l e n t

the Id F r e u d c o m e s to r e c o g n i z e that the w o r k of m e l a n c h o -

d r a m a o f the s u p e r - e g o p r o c e e d s . F r e u d a p p e a r s t o a s s u m e

l i a m a y w e l l b e i n the s e r v i c e o f the d e a t h d r i v e . H e asks,

a m b i v a l e n c e at the scene of loss: a w i s h for the o t h e r to d i e or

" H o w i s i t t h e n that i n m e l a n c h o l i a the s u p e r - e g o c a n b e -

to go (a w i s h that is s o m e t i m e s i n s t i g a t e d by the d e s i r e of the

c o m e a g a t h e r i n g - p l a c e for the d e a t h i n s t i n c t s ? "

H o w is it

ego t o l i v e a n d , hence, b r e a k its a t t a c h m e n t t o w h a t has gone

that the e g o - e r o d i n g effects of m e l a n c h o l i a , the ones that o v e r -

or died). F r e u d interprets this ambivalence as at once an i n -

1 0

c o m e "the i n s t i n c t w h i c h c o m p e l s e v e r y l i v i n g t h i n g t o life,"

stance of s a d i s m a n d a w i s h to p r e s e r v e the other as oneself.

c o m e t o w o r k i n the s e r v i c e o f a d r i v e that seeks t o o v e r c o m e

S e l f - t o r m e n t i s t h i s s a d i s m t u r n e d b a c k o n the ego, e n c o d i n g

life? F r e u d goes f u r t h e r a n d r e m a r k s that the " m e r c i l e s s v i o -

a n d d i s s i m u l a t i n g the d u a l d e s i r e t o v a n q u i s h a n d t o save the

l e n c e " o f c o n s c i e n c e s h o w s that " w h a t i s n o w h o l d i n g s w a y

object. S e l f - p u n i s h m e n t , h e notes, i s "the c i r c u i t o u s p a t h " o f

in the s u p e r - e g o is, as it w e r e , a p u r e c u l t u r e of the d e a t h

s a d i s m ; w e m i g h t a d d , i t i s the c i r c u i t o u s p a t h o f i d e n t i f i c a -

i n s t i n c t [Todestrieb]" (53). In m e l a n c h o l i a , t h e n , a c c o r d i n g to

tion as w e l l .

this r e v i s e d t h e o r y p u b l i s h e d in The Ego and the Id, it w o u l d

F r e u d a p p e a r s clear h e r e that s a d i s m p r e c e d e s m a s o c h i s m .

b e i m p o s s i b l e t o separate the d e a t h d r i v e f r o m the c o n s c i e n c e

( H i s later e m p h a s i s o n the d e a t h d r i v e w i l l i n v e r t t h i s p r i o r i t y . )

h e i g h t e n e d t h r o u g h m e l a n c h o l i a . I n e i t h e r case, the ego r i s k s

R e f l e x i v e a r t i c u l a t i o n s o f a g g r e s s i o n are a l w a y s d e r i v e d f r o m

its life i n the face o f its f a i l u r e t o l i v e u p t o the s t a n d a r d s e n -

o u t w a r d l y d i r e c t e d ones. W e h a v e k n o w n f o r s o m e t i m e , h e

c o d e d i n the e g o - i d e a l . A n d the a g g r e s s i o n i t takes u p o n itself

w r i t e s , that "no n e u r o t i c h a r b o r s t h o u g h t s o f s u i c i d e w h i c h h e

i s i n p a r t p r o p o r t i o n a l t o the a g g r e s s i o n against the other that

has n o t t u r n e d b a c k u p o n h i m s e l f [auf sich zuruckwendet] f r o m

i t has m a n a g e d t o b r i n g u n d e r c o n t r o l .

m u r d e r o u s i m p u l s e s t o w a r d o t h e r s " (252). T h e ego takes itself

In t h i s a c c o u n t of m e l a n c h o l i a , r e f l e x i v i t y e m e r g e s , as it

as an object in the p l a c e of t a k i n g the other as an object. I n d e e d ,

does for N i e t z s c h e , a s a t r a n s p o s e d a g g r e s s i v i t y . A s w e h a v e

the ego first takes itself as an object on the c o n d i t i o n that it has

seen, for F r e u d i n " M o u r n i n g a n d M e l a n c h o l i a , " a g g r e s s i o n

already t a k e n the other as an object, a n d that the other b e c o m e s

is p r i m a r i l y a r e l a t i o n to others a n d o n l y s e c o n d a r i l y a r e l a -

the m o d e l b y w h i c h the ego a s s u m e s its b o u n d a r y a s a n o b -

t i o n t o oneself. H e r e m a r k s that the s u i c i d a l p e r s o n m u s t first

ject for i t s e l f — a k i n d o f m i m e s i s , n o t u n l i k e that d e s c r i b e d b y

h a v e u n d e r g o n e m u r d e r o u s i m p u l s e s , a n d suggests that self-

M i k k e l Borch-Jacobsen,

t o r m e n t satisfies s a d i s m a n d hate. B o t h o f these i m p u l s e s h a v e

the ego a s a n object o n the m o d e l o f the other. M i m e s i s w i t h i n

11

in w h i c h mimetic activity produces

Psychic Inceptions

190

Melancholy,

Ambivalence,

Rage

191

m e l a n c h o l i a p e r f o r m s t h i s a c t i v i t y a s the i n c o r p o r a t i o n o f the

social a n d psychic instrument. This super-egoic conscience is

other " i n t o the ego." T h i s i s a n effort t o p r e s e r v e the other a n d

n o t s i m p l y a n a l o g o u s t o the state's m i l i t a r y p o w e r o v e r its c i t i -

a t the s a m e t i m e t o d i s s i m u l a t e a g g r e s s i o n t o w a r d the other.

z e n r y ; the state c u l t i v a t e s m e l a n c h o l i a a m o n g its c i t i z e n r y p r e -

C l e a r l y n o F r e u d i a n t h e o r y that takes the ego a s p r i m a r y

c i s e l y a s a w a y o f d i s s i m u l a t i n g a n d d i s p l a c i n g its o w n i d e a l

o r p r e g i v e n c a n a c c o u n t for the w a y i n w h i c h the ego first

a u t h o r i t y . T h i s is n o t to suggest that c o n s c i e n c e is a s i m p l e

b e c o m e s a n object o n the c o n d i t i o n o f the i n t e r n a l i z a t i o n o f

i n s t a n t i a t i o n of the state; on the c o n t r a r y , it is the v a n i s h i n g

a g g r e s s i o n a n d the r e f u s a l o f loss. M e l a n c h o l i a establishes the

p o i n t o f the state's a u t h o r i t y , its p s y c h i c i d e a l i z a t i o n , a n d , i n

t e n u o u s basis of the ego, a n d i n d i c a t e s s o m e t h i n g of its status

that sense, its d i s a p p e a r a n c e as an e x t e r n a l object. T h e p r o c e s s

as an i n s t r u m e n t of containment. T h e s i g n i f i c a n c e of the ego

of f o r m i n g the subject is a p r o c e s s of r e n d e r i n g the t e r r o r i z -

a s c o n t a i n i n g a g g r e s s i o n b e c o m e s clear w h e n w e c o n s i d e r

i n g p o w e r o f the state i n v i s i b l e — a n d e f f e c t i v e — a s the i d e a l i t y

F r e u d ' s e x p l i c i t l y s o c i a l m e t a p h o r i c s i n these d e s c r i p t i o n s . O n e passage, n o t e d b y H o m i B h a b h a ,

12

suggests s o m e t h i n g o f

the p o l i t i c a l a n a l o g y at issue. " M e l a n c h o l i c . . . r e a c t i o n . . . p r o c e e d s f r o m a m e n t a l c o n s t e l l a t i o n of r e v o l t [seelischen Konstellation der Auflehnung], w h i c h has t h e n , by a c e r t a i n p r o c e s s , p a s s e d o v e r i n t o the c r u s h e d state of m e l a n c h o l i a [die melancholische

Zerknirschung]"

(248).

B h a b h a a r g u e s that m e l a n c h o l i a is n o t a f o r m of p a s s i v i t y , b u t a f o r m o f r e v o l t that takes p l a c e t h r o u g h r e p e t i t i o n a n d m e t o n y m y . T h e m e l a n c h o l i c i n v e r t s against itself the i n d i c t m e n t i t w o u l d l e v e l against the other; t h i s " i n c o r p o r a t i o n " o f

o f c o n s c i e n c e . F u r t h e r m o r e , the i n c o r p o r a t i o n o f the i d e a l o f " L a w " u n d e r s c o r e s the c o n t i n g e n t r e l a t i o n b e t w e e n a g i v e n state a n d the i d e a l i t y o f its p o w e r . T h i s i d e a l i t y c a n a l w a y s b e incorporated elsewhere a n d remains incommensurable w i t h a n y o f its g i v e n i n c o r p o r a t i o n s . T h a t t h i s i d e a l i t y c a n n o t b e r e d u c e d t o a n y o f its i n c o r p o r a t i o n s does n o t m e a n , h o w e v e r , that i t subsists i n a n o u m e n a l s p h e r e b e y o n d a l l e m b o d i m e n t s . R a t h e r , the i n c o r p o r a t i o n s are sites o f r e a r t i c u l a t i o n , c o n d i tions for a " w o r k i n g t h r o u g h " a n d , potentially, a " t h r o w i n g off"

(Auflehnung).

The revolt in melancholia can be distilled by marshalling

the o t h e r is also, B h a b h a notes, a " d i s i n c o r p o r a t i o n of the M a s -

a g g r e s s i o n i n the s e r v i c e o f m o u r n i n g , b u t also, n e c e s s a r i l y , o f

ter." U n d e r s c o r i n g that "the L a w is e n t o m b e d as loss at the

life. A s a n i n s t r u m e n t o f p s y c h i c t e r r o r , c o n s c i e n c e w i e l d s the

p o i n t o f its i d e a l a u t h o r i t y , " h e a r g u e s that m e l a n c h o l i a c o n -

p o w e r of c o n d e m n a t i o n that, q u i t e l i t e r a l l y , p o s e s a threat to

tests the i d e a l i t y o f that a u t h o r i t y p r e c i s e l y b y i n c o r p o r a t i n g

one's life. F r e u d notes that i t "often e n o u g h s u c c e e d s i n d r i v -

it.

i n g the ego i n t o d e a t h , if the latter d o e s n o t fend off its tyrant in

1 3

A u t h o r i t y ' s ideality is incorporable elsewhere, no longer

t i e d i n a n y a b s o l u t e sense t o one f i g u r e o f the l a w . M e l a n c h o l i a i s a r e b e l l i o n that has b e e n p u t d o w n , c r u s h e d . Yet it is n o t a static affair; it c o n t i n u e s as a k i n d of " w o r k " that takes p l a c e b y d e f l e c t i o n . F i g u r e d w i t h i n the w o r k i n g s o f the p s y c h e i s the p o w e r o f the state t o p r e e m p t a n i n s u r r e c t i o n a r y rage. T h e " c r i t i c a l a g e n c y " of the m e l a n c h o l i c is at o n c e a

t i m e b y the c h a n g e r o u n d i n t o m a n i a . "

1 4

M a n i a appears to be

the e n e r g e t i c t h r o w i n g off of the a t t a c h m e n t to the lost object, e n s h r i n e d i n the w o r k i n g s o f c o n s c i e n c e . Yet i n m a n i a , " w h a t the ego has s u r m o u n t e d a n d w h a t i t i s t r i u m p h i n g o v e r r e main hidden from it."

1 5

I n m a n i a , the t y r a n t i s f e n d e d off, b u t

n o t t h r o w n off o r o v e r c o m e . M a n i a m a r k s a t e m p o r a r y s u s -

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p e n s i o n o r m a s t e r i n g o f the t y r a n t b y the ego, b u t the t y r a n t

psychic survival. Whereas melancholia involves a "delusional

r e m a i n s s t r u c t u r a l l y e n s c o n c e d f o r that p s y c h e — a n d u n k n o w -

s e l f - a b a s e m e n t . . . that o v e r c o m e s the i n s t i n c t w h i c h c o m p e l s

able. F o r a r e s o l u t i o n o f m e l a n c h o l i a that i s m o r e t h o r o u g h

e v e r y l i v i n g t h i n g t o l i f e , " the b r e a k w i t h m e l a n c h o l i a i n v o l v e s

t h a n a n y m a n i a c a n p r o v i d e , F r e u d suggests that " a v e r d i c t o f

t u r n i n g against the a l r e a d y " t u r n e d b a c k " a g g r e s s i o n that c o n -

r e a l i t y " m u s t b e a c c e p t e d for m e l a n c h o l i a t o b e c o m e m o u r n -

stitutes c o n s c i e n c e . S u r v i v a l , n o t p r e c i s e l y the o p p o s i t e o f m e l -

i n g , a n d f o r the a t t a c h m e n t t o the lost object t o b e s e v e r e d .

ancholia, but what melancholia puts in suspension—requires

I n d e e d , the a g g r e s s i o n i n s t r u m e n t a l i z e d b y c o n s c i e n c e a g a i n s t

r e d i r e c t i n g rage a g a i n s t the lost other, d e f i l i n g the s a n c t i t y o f

the ego i s p r e c i s e l y w h a t m u s t b e r e a p p r o p r i a t e d i n the ser-

the d e a d f o r the p u r p o s e s o f life, r a g i n g a g a i n s t the d e a d i n

v i c e of the d e s i r e to l i v e : "the l i b i d o ' s a t t a c h m e n t to the lost

order not to join them.

object i s m e t b y the v e r d i c t o f r e a l i t y that the object n o l o n g e r

A l t h o u g h s u c h rage m a y b e r e q u i r e d t o b r e a k the m e l -

exists; a n d the ego, c o n f r o n t e d a s i t w e r e w i t h the q u e s t i o n

a n c h o l i c b i n d , t h e r e i s n o f i n a l r e p r i e v e f r o m the a m b i v a -

w h e t h e r i t s h a l l s h a r e t h i s fate, i s p e r s u a d e d b y the s u m o f the

lence a n d no final separation of m o u r n i n g f r o m m e l a n c h o l i a .

n a r c i s s i s t i c s a t i s f a c t i o n s i t d e r i v e s f r o m b e i n g a l i v e t o sever its

F r e u d ' s v i e w that m o u r n i n g a n d m e l a n c h o l i a m i g h t b e d i s t i n -

a t t a c h m e n t to the object that has b e e n a b o l i s h e d " (255).

g u i s h e d i s c h a l l e n g e d n o t o n l y i n h i s o w n essay b y that n a m e ,

F o r the m e l a n c h o l i c , b r e a k i n g the a t t a c h m e n t c o n s t i t u t e s

b u t e x p l i c i t l y in The Ego and the Id. A m b i v a l e n c e , w h i c h is first

a s e c o n d loss of the object. If the object l o s t its e x t e r n a l i t y

i d e n t i f i e d a s a p o s s i b l e r e s p o n s e t o loss i n " M o u r n i n g a n d M e l -

w h e n i t b e c a m e a p s y c h i c i d e a l , i t n o w loses its i d e a l i t y a s the

a n c h o l i a , " b e c o m e s , t o w a r d the e n d o f the essay, the s t r u g g l e

ego t u r n s a g a i n s t c o n s c i e n c e , t h u s d e c e n t e r i n g itself. T h e j u d g -

that loss o c c a s i o n s b e t w e e n the d e s i r e t o l i v e a n d the d e s i r e

m e n t s o f c o n s c i e n c e are e x c h a n g e d f o r the v e r d i c t o f r e a l i t y ,

t o die. A s s u c h , b o t h a m b i v a l e n c e a n d the s t r u g g l e o f life a n d

a n d t h i s v e r d i c t p o s e s a d i l e m m a for the m e l a n c h o l i c , n a m e l y ,

d e a t h , t o b o r r o w H e g e l i a n p a r l a n c e , are o c c a s i o n e d b y loss,

w h e t h e r t o f o l l o w the l o s t object i n t o d e a t h o r t o s e i z e the

i n d e e d , i n s t i g a t e d b y loss. I f a m b i v a l e n c e d i s t i n g u i s h e s m e l -

o p p o r t u n i t y t o l i v e . L a t e r , F r e u d r e m a r k s that there c a n b e

ancholia f r o m m o u r n i n g , a n d i f m o u r n i n g entails a m b i v a l e n c e

no s e v e r i n g of t h i s a t t a c h m e n t to the object w i t h o u t a d i r e c t

a s p a r t o f the p r o c e s s o f " w o r k i n g t h r o u g h , " t h e n t h e r e i s n o

" d e c l a r a t i o n " o f loss a n d the d e s a n c t i f i c a t i o n o f the object b y

w o r k o f m o u r n i n g that d o e s n o t engage m e l a n c h o l i a . A s w a s

e x t e r n a l i z i n g a g g r e s s i o n against it: "Just a s m o u r n i n g i m p e l s

r e m a r k e d i n the p r e v i o u s chapter, F r e u d a r g u e s i n The Ego

the ego t o g i v e u p the object b y d e c l a r i n g the object t o b e

and the Id that the ego is c o m p o s e d of its l o s t a t t a c h m e n t s a n d

d e a d a n d o f f e r i n g the ego the i n d u c e m e n t t o l i v e , s o d o e s e a c h

that there w o u l d b e n o ego w e r e there n o i n t e r n a l i z a t i o n o f

s i n g l e s t r u g g l e o f a m b i v a l e n c e l o o s e n the f i x a t i o n o f the l i b i d o

loss a l o n g m e l a n c h o l i c l i n e s . T h e i n v e r s e o f t h i s p o s i t i o n , h o w -

t o the object b y d i s p a r a g i n g i t , d e n i g r a t i n g i t a n d e v e n a s i t

ever, i s n o t p u r s u e d b y F r e u d , a l t h o u g h h i s t h e o r y p o i n t s the

w e r e k i l l i n g it off [entwertet, herabsetzt, gleichsam audi erschlagt]"

w a y : i f the ego c o n t a i n s a g g r e s s i o n a g a i n s t the o t h e r w h o i s

(257). " K i l l i n g off" the c r i t i c a l a g e n c y reverses a n d d i s p l a c e s

gone, t h e n i t f o l l o w s that r e e x t e r n a l i z i n g that a g g r e s s i o n " u n -

the i n t e r i o r i z e d scene o f c o n s c i e n c e a n d c l e a r s the w a y f o r

c o n t a i n s " the ego. T h e d e s i r e t o l i v e i s n o t the d e s i r e o f the

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Melancholy,

Ambivalence,

Rage

195

ego, b u t a d e s i r e that u n d o e s the ego in the c o u r s e of its e m e r -

i s b o u n d t o take. " L i b i d o " a n d " a t t a c h m e n t " i n s u c h a v i e w

gence. T h e " m a s t e r y " o f the ego w o u l d t h e n b e i d e n t i f i e d a s

c o u l d not be conceived as free-floating energies, but as h a v i n g

the effect of the d e a t h d r i v e , a n d life, in a N i e t z s c h e a n sense,

a h i s t o r i c i t y that c o u l d n e v e r f u l l y b e r e c o v e r e d .

w o u l d b r e a k a p a r t that m a s t e r y , i n i t i a t i n g a l i v e d m o d e o f b e -

I f i n " M o u r n i n g a n d M e l a n c h o l i a , " F r e u d t h o u g h t that o n e

c o m i n g that contests the stasis a n d d e f e n s i v e status of the ego.

m u s t s e v e r o n e a t t a c h m e n t to m a k e a n o t h e r , in The Ego and the

B u t the s t o r y o f m o u r n i n g c a n n o t b e r e d u c e d t o o n e i n

Id, he is clear that o n l y u p o n the c o n d i t i o n that the lost o t h e r

w h i c h life t r i u m p h s o v e r d e a t h . T h e d y n a m i c i s m o r e c o m -

b e c o m e s i n t e r n a l i z e d c a n m o u r n i n g ever b e a c c o m p l i s h e d a n d

p l i c a t e d . A l t h o u g h i n 1917 F r e u d does n o t yet d i s t i n g u i s h b e -

n e w attachments begun. H e r e , of course, an u n e x p l o r e d p o i n t

t w e e n the p l e a s u r e p r i n c i p l e a n d the d e a t h d r i v e , h e d o e s note

d e s e r v e s r e m a r k : i n t e r n a l i z a t i o n does n o t h a v e t o t a k e the

that m e l a n c h o l y has the p o w e r t o force the ego i n t o d e a t h .

f o r m of a mercilessly violent conscience, a n d certain k i n d s of

B y 1923, h e e x p l i c i t l y c l a i m s that c o n s c i e n c e , a s i t f u n c t i o n s

i n t e r n a l i z a t i o n , w h i c h are n o t a l w a y s i n c o r p o r a t i o n s , are n e c -

i n m e l a n c h o l i a , i s " a g a t h e r i n g p l a c e " for the d e a t h d r i v e s . I n

essary f o r s u r v i v a l .

m o u r n i n g , the c l a i m o f life does n o t t r i u m p h o v e r the l u r e o f

F r e u d , that " m o u r n i n g i s the a f f i r m a t i v e i n c o r p o r a t i o n o f the

d e a t h ; o n the c o n t r a r y , the "death d r i v e s " are m a r s h a l l e d i n the

O t h e r " a n d that, i n p r i n c i p l e , there c a n b e n o e n d t o m o u r n -

s e r v i c e o f b r e a k i n g w i t h the object, " k i l l i n g " the object i n o r d e r

ing.

1 6

I n d e e d , D e r r i d a insists, w i t h the later

1 7

to l i v e . F u r t h e r , i n s o f a r as the object r e s i d e s as the i d e a l i t y of

I n d e e d , o n e m a y rage a g a i n s t one's a t t a c h m e n t t o s o m e

c o n s c i e n c e , a n d the ego i s s i t u a t e d w i t h i n that t o p o g r a p h i c a l

o t h e r s ( w h i c h i s s i m p l y t o alter the t e r m s o f the a t t a c h m e n t ) ,

scene, b o t h c o n s c i e n c e a n d the ego are n e c e s s a r i l y u n d o n e b y

b u t n o rage c a n s e v e r the a t t a c h m e n t t o alterity, e x c e p t p e r -

that m u r d e r o u s c l a i m o n life. T h e "death d r i v e " i s t h u s p a r a -

h a p s a s u i c i d a l rage that u s u a l l y s t i l l leaves b e h i n d a note, a

d o x i c a l l y n e c e s s a r y for s u r v i v a l ; i n m o u r n i n g , the b r e a k i n g o f

f i n a l a d d r e s s , t h u s c o n f i r m i n g that a l l o c u t o r y b o n d . S u r v i v a l

a t t a c h m e n t i n a u g u r a t e s life. B u t t h i s " b r e a k " i s n e v e r f i n a l o r

d o e s n o t t a k e p l a c e b e c a u s e a n a u t o n o m o u s ego exercises a u -

f u l l . O n e does n o t r e t r a c t a q u a n t i t y o f l i b i d o f r o m o n e object

t o n o m y i n c o n f r o n t a t i o n w i t h a c o u n t e r v a i l i n g w o r l d ; o n the

i n o r d e r t o i n v e s t i t i n another. T o the extent that m e l a n c h o l y

c o n t r a r y , n o ego c a n e m e r g e except t h r o u g h a n i m a t i n g ref-

establishes the p o s i t i o n a l i t y o f the ego, the d i s t i n c t i o n b e t w e e n

e r e n c e to s u c h a w o r l d . S u r v i v a l is a m a t t e r of a v o w i n g the

the p s y c h i c a n d the s o c i a l , i t also f u n c t i o n s t o m a k e p o s s i b l e

trace o f loss that i n a u g u r a t e s one's o w n e m e r g e n c e . T o m a k e

a n e p i s t e m o l o g i c a l e n c o u n t e r w i t h alterity. T h e c o n c l u s i o n o f

of m e l a n c h o l i a a s i m p l e " r e f u s a l " to g r i e v e its losses c o n j u r e s

g r i e f m a y u n d o the ego ( i n the sense o f " u n b i n d i n g " i t f r o m its

a subject w h o m i g h t a l r e a d y b e s o m e t h i n g w i t h o u t its losses,

c a t h e x i s i n c o n s c i e n c e ) , b u t i t does n o t d e s t r o y it. T h e r e i s n o

that is, o n e w h o v o l u n t a r i l y e x t e n d s a n d retracts h i s o r h e r

b r e a k w i t h the c o n s t i t u t i v e h i s t o r i c i t y o f loss t o w h i c h m e l a n -

w i l l . Yet the subject w h o m i g h t g r i e v e i s i m p l i c a t e d i n a loss

c h o l y attests (except p e r h a p s i n the m a n i c r e s p o n s e , w h i c h i s

o f a u t o n o m y that i s m a n d a t e d b y l i n g u i s t i c a n d s o c i a l life; i t

a l w a y s t e m p o r a r y ) . T h e h i s t o r i c i t y o f loss i s t o b e f o u n d i n

c a n n e v e r p r o d u c e itself a u t o n o m o u s l y . F r o m the start, t h i s

i d e n t i f i c a t i o n a n d , h e n c e , i n the v e r y f o r m s that a t t a c h m e n t

ego i s o t h e r t h a n itself; w h a t m e l a n c h o l i a s h o w s i s that o n l y

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b y a b s o r b i n g the o t h e r a s o n e s e l f does o n e b e c o m e s o m e t h i n g

r e g u l a t i o n ; rather, i t i s the i n s t r u m e n t o f its d i s s i m u l a t i o n . T o

at all. The social terms w h i c h make survival possible, w h i c h

c l a i m life i n s u c h c i r c u m s t a n c e s i s t o contest the r i g h t e o u s p s y -

i n t e r p e l l a t e s o c i a l existence, n e v e r reflect the a u t o n o m y o f the

che, n o t b y a n act o f w i l l , b u t b y s u b m i s s i o n t o a s o c i a l i t y a n d

one w h o comes to recognize h i m - or herself in t h e m arid, thus,

l i n g u i s t i c life that m a k e s s u c h acts p o s s i b l e , o n e that exceeds

s t a n d s a c h a n c e "to b e " w i t h i n l a n g u a g e . I n d e e d , b y f o r f e i t i n g

the b o u n d s o f the ego a n d its " a u t o n o m y . " T o p e r s i s t i n one's

that n o t i o n o f a u t o n o m y s u r v i v a l b e c o m e s p o s s i b l e ; the "ego"

b e i n g m e a n s t o b e g i v e n o v e r f r o m the start t o s o c i a l t e r m s

i s r e l e a s e d f r o m its m e l a n c h o l i c f o r e c l o s u r e o f the s o c i a l . T h e

that are n e v e r f u l l y o n e ' s o w n . T h o s e t e r m s i n s t i t u t e a l i n g u i s -

ego c o m e s i n t o b e i n g o n the c o n d i t i o n o f the " t r a c e " o f the

tic life f o r the " o n e " w h o s p e a k s p r i o r t o a n y act o f agency,

other, w h o is, at that m o m e n t of e m e r g e n c e , a l r e a d y at a d i s -

a n d t h e y r e m a i n b o t h i r r e d u c i b l e t o the o n e w h o s p e a k s a n d

tance. To a c c e p t the a u t o n o m y of the ego is to forget that trace;

the n e c e s s a r y c o n d i t i o n s o f s u c h s p e e c h . I n t h i s sense, i n t e r -

a n d t o a c c e p t that trace i s t o e m b a r k u p o n a p r o c e s s o f m o u r n -

p e l l a t i o n w o r k s b y f a i l i n g , that is, i t i n s t i t u t e s its subject a s a n

i n g that c a n n e v e r b e c o m p l e t e , for n o f i n a l s e v e r a n c e c o u l d

agent p r e c i s e l y to the extent that it fails to d e t e r m i n e s u c h a

t a k e p l a c e w i t h o u t d i s s o l v i n g the ego.

subject e x h a u s t i v e l y i n t i m e .

T h i s i n s i g h t that m e l a n c h o l i a offers i n t o the p o w e r o f the

T h e i n a u g u r a t i v e scene o f i n t e r p e l l a t i o n i s o n e i n w h i c h a

trace of a l t e r i t y to p r o d u c e the ego " a l o n g a f i c t i o n a l l i n e , " as

c e r t a i n f a i l u r e t o b e c o n s t i t u t e d b e c o m e s the c o n d i t i o n o f p o s -

L a c a n has p u t i t , i s n o t r e s t r i c t e d t o the trace o f s o m e s p e c i f i c

s i b i l i t y for c o n s t i t u t i n g oneself. S o c i a l d i s c o u r s e w i e l d s the

set o f others, that is, t o the c h i l d a n d its m o t h e r o r t o o t h e r

p o w e r t o f o r m a n d r e g u l a t e a subject t h r o u g h the i m p o s i t i o n

d y a d i c p a i r s . I n d e e d , the " o t h e r " m a y b e a n i d e a l , a c o u n t r y , a

o f its o w n t e r m s . T h o s e t e r m s , h o w e v e r , are n o t s i m p l y ac-

c o n c e p t o f l i b e r t y , i n w h i c h the loss o f s u c h i d e a l s i s c o m p e n -

c e p t e d o r i n t e r n a l i z e d ; t h e y b e c o m e p s y c h i c o n l y t h r o u g h the

sated b y the i n t e r i o r i z e d i d e a l i t y o f c o n s c i e n c e . A n o t h e r o r a n

m o v e m e n t b y w h i c h t h e y are d i s s i m u l a t e d a n d " t u r n e d . " I n

i d e a l m a y b e " l o s t " b y b e i n g r e n d e r e d u n s p e a k a b l e , that is, lost

the absence of e x p l i c i t r e g u l a t i o n , the subject e m e r g e s as o n e

through p r o h i b i t i o n or foreclosure: unspeakable, impossible

for w h o m p o w e r h a s b e c o m e v o i c e , a n d v o i c e , the r e g u l a t o r y

t o d e c l a r e , b u t e m e r g i n g i n the i n d i r e c t i o n o f c o m p l a i n t a n d

i n s t r u m e n t o f the p s y c h e . T h e s p e e c h acts o f p o w e r — t h e d e c -

the h e i g h t e n e d j u d g m e n t s o f c o n s c i e n c e . C o n t a i n e d w i t h i n the p s y c h i c t o p o g r a p h y o f a m b i v a l e n c e , the f a d e d s o c i a l text r e q u i r e s a d i f f e r e n t sort o f g e n e a l o g y i n the f o r m a t i o n o f the subject, o n e w h i c h takes i n t o a c c o u n t h o w w h a t r e m a i n s u n s p e a k a b l y absent i n h a b i t s the p s y c h i c v o i c e o f the o n e w h o r e m a i n s . T h e v i o l e n c e o f the loss i s r e d o u b l e d a n d r e f r a c t e d i n a v i o l e n c e o f the p s y c h i c a g e n c y that threatens d e a t h ; the s o c i a l i s " t u r n e d b a c k " i n t o the p s y c h i c , o n l y t o leave its trace i n the v o i c e o f c o n s c i e n c e . C o n s c i e n c e t h u s fails t o i n s t a n t i a t e s o c i a l

l a r a t i o n o f g u i l t , the j u d g m e n t o f w o r t h l e s s n e s s , the v e r d i c t s o f reality—are topographically rendered as psychic instruments a n d i n s t i t u t i o n s w i t h i n a p s y c h i c l a n d s c a p e that d e p e n d s o n its m e t a p h o r i c i t y f o r its p l a u s i b i l i t y . R e g u l a t o r y p o w e r b e c o m e s " i n t e r n a l " o n l y t h r o u g h the m e l a n c h o l i c p r o d u c t i o n o f the f i g u r e o f i n t e r n a l space, o n e that f o l l o w s f r o m the w i t h d r a w i n g of resources —a w i t h d r a w a l a n d t u r n i n g of language, a s w e l l . B y w i t h d r a w i n g its o w n p r e s e n c e , p o w e r b e c o m e s a n object l o s t — " a loss o f a m o r e i d e a l k i n d . " E l i g i b l e f o r m e l a n -

198

Psychic Inceptions

c h o l i c i n c o r p o r a t i o n , p o w e r n o l o n g e r acts u n i l a t e r a l l y o n its subject. R a t h e r , the subject i s p r o d u c e d , p a r a d o x i c a l l y , t h r o u g h t h i s w i t h d r a w a l o f p o w e r , its d i s s i m u l a t i o n a n d f a b u l a t i o n o f the p s y c h e as a s p e a k i n g t o p o s . S o c i a l p o w e r v a n i s h e s , b e c o m i n g the object lost, o r s o c i a l p o w e r m a k e s v a n i s h , effecting a m a n d a t o r y set of losses. T h u s , it effects a m e l a n c h o l i a that r e p r o d u c e s p o w e r a s the p s y c h i c v o i c e o f j u d g m e n t a d d r e s s e d t o ( t u r n e d u p o n ) oneself, t h u s m o d e l i n g r e f l e x i v i t y o n s u b j e c t i o n . S o m e p s y c h o a n a l y t i c t h e o r i s t s o f the s o c i a l h a v e a r g u e d that s o c i a l i n t e r p e l l a t i o n a l w a y s p r o d u c e s a p s y c h i c excess i t c a n n o t c o n t r o l . Yet the p r o d u c t i o n of the p s y c h i c as a d i s t i n c t d o m a i n c a n n o t o b l i t e r a t e the s o c i a l o c c a s i o n o f t h i s p r o d u c t i o n . T h e " i n s t i t u t i o n " o f the ego c a n n o t f u l l y o v e r c o m e its s o c i a l r e s i d u e , g i v e n that its " v o i c e " i s f r o m the start b o r r o w e d f r o m e l s e w h e r e , a r e c a s t i n g of a s o c i a l " p l a i n t " as p s y c h i c selfjudgment. T h e p o w e r i m p o s e d u p o n o n e i s the p o w e r that a n i m a t e s one's e m e r g e n c e , a n d t h e r e a p p e a r s t o b e n o e s c a p i n g t h i s a m b i v a l e n c e . I n d e e d , there a p p e a r s t o b e n o " o n e " w i t h o u t a m b i v a l e n c e , w h i c h i s t o say that the f i c t i v e r e d o u b l i n g necess a r y to b e c o m e a self r u l e s o u t the p o s s i b i l i t y of strict i d e n t i t y . F i n a l l y , t h e n , there i s n o a m b i v a l e n c e w i t h o u t loss a s the v e r d i c t of s o c i a l i t y , o n e that leaves the t r a c e of its t u r n at the scene of one's e m e r g e n c e .

Notes

INTRODUCTION I. H a y d e n White remarks i n Tropics of Discourse (Baltimore: Johns H o p k i n s University Press, 1978) that "the w o r d tropic derives from tropikos, tropos, w h i c h i n classical Greek meant 'turn' and i n Koine 'way' or 'manner.' It comes into modern Indo-European languages by way of tropus, w h i c h i n Classical Latin meant 'metaphor' or 'figure of speech' and in Late L a t i n , especially as applied to music theory, 'mood' or 'measure' " (p. 2). White goes on to associate the notion of trope w i t h style, a term that he understands to distinguish the study of discourse from both the study of fiction and logic. Tropes are "deviations" from customary language, but they also generate figures of speech or thought (a distinction crucial to Quintillian's account as well). In this sense, a trope can produce a connection between terms that is not considered either customary or logical. For our purposes, this means that a trope operates in a way that is not restricted to accepted versions of reality. At the same time, a trope cannot operate, that is, generate new meanings or connections, if its departure from custom and logic is not recognized as such a departure. In this sense, a trope presupposes an accepted version of reality for its operation.

For Nietzsche, however, the recirculation and sedimentation of tropes is the condition of possibility for the customary use of language. Indeed, he argues that tropes are the stuff out of w h i c h literal and conceptual language emerges. O n l y through a k i n d of forgetfulness of the tropological status of language does something like customary language take hold. Customary language is the sedimentation

202

Notes to Pages 7-14

Notes

to

Pages

203

16-28

or "deadening" effect of tropes. This suggestion is made clear, both

in its persistence and instability" (p. 9). This statement was not meant

argumentatively and rhetorically, in his essay " O n Truth and Lie in an

to suggest that power acts without the subject. On the contrary, for

Extra-Moral Sense," in Friedrich Nietzsche, On Rhetoric and Language,

power to act, there must be a subject, but that necessity does not

ed. Sander G i l m a n et al. (New York: O x f o r d University Press, 1989).

make the subject into the origin of power.

" T u r n " was an English term for "trope" in the seventeenth and

6.

Michel

eighteenth centuries, used in referring to several syntactical figures

(New York:

of speech. Richard L a n h a m writes that a trope is a specific k i n d of

(Paris:

figure, one w h i c h changes the meaning of a w o r d (A Handlist of Rhe-

duction,

torical Terms, Berkeley: University of California Press,

1991). Some ar-

gue for retaining the term "figure" for terms that change the meaning

la

Foucault,

Discipline

1977), 1975); The

Pantheon,

Gallimard,

and

Punish:

Surveiller History

The

et of

Birth

the

Prison

Naissance

de

la

prison

Sexuality,

Volume

1:

An

Intro-

trans. Robert H u r l e y (New York: Vintage, 1978), Histoire de

sexualité

Pleasure:

1:

Volonté

Volume

2

de of

savoir The

(Paris:

History

Gallimard,

of

Sexuality

(New

1978);

of more than one w o r d . Quintillian objects to this distinction, insist-

1985),

Power/Knowledge:

cible to single or plural words, and then defines a trope as a change

C o l i n G o r d o n (New York: Pantheon, 1980), pp. 78-108.

L'usage

des

plaisirs, Selected

(Paris: G a l l i m a r d , Interviews

and

The

York:

ing that this change of meaning happens in ways that are not reduof meaning, whereas "figure" is used for a change in form (i.e., the

of

punir:

Use

of

Pantheon,

1984); "Two Lectures,"

Other

Writings,

19J2-J7,

ed.

7. Lacan refers to the subject as excrescence.

form of a pattern of speech or even a genre of writing). That this turn

8. Nietzsche develops the notion of the sign-chain (Zeichenkette) in

is considered generative or productive seems especially relevant to

On the Genealogy of Morals, trans. Walter K a u f m a n n (New York: R a n -

our consideration of the production or generation of the subject. Not

d o m House, 1967), pp. 77-78; Zur Généalogie der Moral, i n Nietzsche,

only is generation what a trope does, but the explanation of gen-

Samtliche

eration seems to require the use of tropes, an operation of language

C o l l i and M a z z i n o Montinari, vol. 5 (Berlin: de Gruyter, 1988), pp.

that both reflects and enacts the generativity it seeks to explain, irre-

314-15. H e remarks that the origin of a w o r d or an instrument may

ducibly mimetic and performative.

come to assume purposes and produce effects for w h i c h it was never

2. My discussion of "attachment" is indebted to W e n d y Brown's

Werke:

Kritische

Studienausgabe

in

15

Einzelbànden,

ed.

Giorgio

originally intended or fashioned.

essay " W o u n d e d Attachments," in her States of Injury: Freedom and

9. I distinguish between internal and interior, according to conven-

Princeton University Press, 1995).

tions within phenomenology: "internal" designates a contingent rela-

3. In " O n Narcissism," F r e u d distinguishes between narcissistic

tion; "interior," a constitutive relation. This terminology also under-

Power in Late Modernity (Princeton:

and anaclitic forms of love, arguing that the former enhance or i n flate the ego, and the latter lead to its diminution or impoverishment. 4. On the notion that repetition, signifying the death drive, marks

scores the phenomenological register of the latter. 10. Both authors use the w o r d Trieb for drive. In addition, both figure this drive as what can and does turn back u p o n itself.

the limit of the ego's mastery, see Jacques Lacan, Four Fundamental

11.

Concepts of Psychoanalysis, ed. J.-A. Miller, trans. A l a n Sheridan (New

12. For a discussion of the lack of originary violence in F o u -

York: Norton, 1978), pp. 40-49. F r e u d makes the argument i n Beyond

cauldian notions of discursive productivity, see Gayatri Chakravorty

the

Spivak's provocative essay " M o r e on Power/Knowledge," in her Out-

Pleasure

Principle

(The

Standard

Edition

of

the

Complete

Psychological

Works of Sigmund Freud, ed. and trans. James Strachey, 24 vols. [London: H o g a r t h , 1953-74], Ï8: 20-23). On

the

Discursive

Limits

of

"Sex" ( N e w York:

the Teaching Machine (New York:

Routledge, 1993), p. 33.

13. Freud's reflections on " M o u r n i n g and Melancholia" in The Ego

5. This discussion continues arguments that I made in Bodies That Matter:

side in

See Chapter 5 for a more detailed examination of this notion.

Routledge,

1993):

"There is no power that acts, but only a reiterated acting that is power

and the Id become important for Melanie Klein's observations on i n corporation. 14.

Spinoza argues that "everything insofar as it is in itself, en-

204

Notes

to

Pages

31-54

Notes to Pages 55-81

deavors to persist in its o w n being" (p. 135), even as he insists that

205

ed. a n d trans. James Strachey, 24 vols. (London: Hogarth, 1953-74),

"a thing, w h i c h is conditioned to act in a particular manner, has nec-

14: 73-104, for a discussion of the origins of conscience in the repres-

essarily been conditioned by G o d " (p. 61). A u t o n o m y is thus always

sion of homosexuality.

conditioned and, to that extent, subverted by the conditions of its

7. H e r e one can see that Foucault's critique of F r e u d in The His-

o w n possibility. ("The Ethics," Philosophy of Spinoza, trans. R. H. M.

tory of Sexuality, Volume 1

Elwes [New York: Tudor Publishing House], 1934.)

psychoanalysis fails to understand how law produces desire is itself

is partially wrong.

Foucault's view that

a failure to understand the way in w h i c h prohibition is productive. Foucault reserves the term "power" for a productive operation that is

CHAPTER 1

understood not to apply to "law." Yet we see that an insurmountable N O T E : This chapter originally appeared in D a v i d C l a r k e and Tilot-

equivocation between the two terms is p r o d u c e d once law is under-

tama

stood as productive.

Rajan,

eds.,

Intersections:

Nineteenth-Century

temporary Theory (Buffalo: S U N Y Press,

Philosophy

and

Con-

1995). I w o u l d like to thank

W i l l i a m C o n n o l l y a n d Peter Fenves for comments on earlier versions of this essay.

8. S i g m u n d

Freud,

9. Nietzsche,

1. In the following text I refer to this chapter in abbreviated form

Civilization

and

Its

Discontents,

trans.

James

Strachey (New York: N o r t o n , 1977), p. 84. Zur

Généalogie

der

Moral,

411-12;

my

translation.

Kaufman's equivalent is on pp. 162-63.

as "The U n h a p p y Consciousness." English citations are from The Phenomenology of Spirit, trans. A. V. M i l l e r (Oxford: O x f o r d University

CHAPTER 2

Press, 1977); G e r m a n citations are from G . W. F Hegel, Werke in zwanzig Bdnden, vol.

3 (Frankfurt a m M a i n : Suhrkamp, 1980). Page n u m -

bers for later citations w i l l appear in the text. 2. M i c h e l

Foucault,

Discipline

and

Punish:

The

Birth

of

the

Prison

(New York: Pantheon, 1977), p. 30; Surveiller et punir: Naissance de la prison (Paris: G a l l i m a r d ,

1. F r i e d r i c h Nietzsche,

On

the Genealogy of Morals,

trans. Walter

K a u f m a n n (New York: R a n d o m House, 1967), p. 58; Zur Généalogie der

Moral,

in

Nietzsche,

Sdmtliche

Werke:

Kritische

Studienausgabe

in

15

Einzelbànden, ed. G i o r g i o C o l l i and M a z z i n o M o n t i n a r i , vol. 5 (Berlin: de Gruyter, 1988), p. 292.

1975), p. 30. trans. Walter

2. F r i e d r i c h Nietzsche, Beyond Good and Evil, trans. Walter Kauf-

K a u f m a n n (New York: R a n d o m House, 1967), p. 87; Zur Généalogie

m a n n ( N e w York: R a n d o m House, 1966), p. 25; fenseits von Gut und

der

Base,

3. Friedrich Nietzsche, Moral,

in

Nietzsche,

On

the Genealogy of Morals,

Sdmtliche

Werke:

Kritische

Studienausgabe

in

15

Einzelbànden, ed. G i o r g i o C o l l i and M a z z i n o M o n t i n a r i , vol. 5 (Berlin: de Gruyter, 1988), p. 325.

4. Foucault,

in

Nietzsche,

Sdmtliche

Werke:

Kritische

Studienausgabe

in

15

Einzel-

bànden, ed. G i o r g i o C o l l i a n d M a z z i n o M o n t i n a r i , 5: 32. 3. Ibid., p. 29/36.

Discipline and Punish, p.

30/34.

4. S i g m u n d F r e u d , " O n the M e c h a n i s m of Paranoia," third sec-

5. T h e relevance of the psychoanalytic understanding of the "phan-

tion of "Psycho-Analytic Notes on an Autobiographical A c c o u n t of a

tasmatic" and, in particular, the view of Laplanche a n d Pontalis that

Case of Paranoia (Dementia Paranoides)," The Standard Edition of the

the subject is dissimulated in the scene of phantasy. We might con-

Complete

sider the various stages of progress in the Phenomenology as succes-

Strachey, 24 vols. (London: Hogarth, 1953-74) 12: 31.

sive forms of the phantasmatic, that is, successive ways in w h i c h the subject becomes dissimulated in and as the scene of its action. Standard

Edition

of

the

Complete

Psychological

Works

of

Sigmund

Freud,

Works

of

Sigmund

Freud,

ed.

and

trans.

James

5. S i g m u n d F r e u d , " O n Narcissism: An Introduction," Standard Edition,

6. See S i g m u n d F r e u d , " O n Narcissism: An Introduction," The

Psychological

14:

73-104.

6. S i g m u n d

Freud,

Civilization

and

Its

Strachey (New York: N o r t o n , 1977), p. 84.

Discontents,

trans.

James

2o6

Notes to Pages 84-89

Notes

The Augustinian Imperative

N O T E : T h i s essay was previously published in John Rajchman, ed.,

1

of

my

discussion borrows Bodies

That

Matter:

On

from a n d the

expands u p o n

Discursive

Limits

of "Sex"

( N e w York: Routledge, 1993), pp. 33-36. 2. See Sandra Bartky, Femininity and Domination (New York: Routledge, 1990). 3. M i c h e l

207

90-101

Foucault,

Discipline

and

Punish:

The

Birth

of

the

Prison,

trans. A l a n Sheridan (New York: R a n d o m House, 1979), p. 203; Sur4. It is important to distinguish between the notion of the psyche, w h i c h includes the notion of the unconscious, and that of the subject, whose formation is conditioned by the exclusion of the unconscious. 5. For an extended and rich discussion of how norms work to subjectivate and, in particular, how norms are to be understood as transitive actions, see Pierre Macherey, "Towards a Natural H i s tory of N o r m s " in T i m o t h y J. A r m s t r o n g , trans, and ed., Michel Foucault/Philosopher (Routledge:

N e w York,

1992), p p .

Sage Press,

1993).

176-91.

10. See discussions of the b o d i l y ego in F r e u d , "The Ego a n d the Id,"

The

In the

Standard

Edition

of the

Complete

Psychological

Works

of

74),

19:

26,

and

in

Margaret Whitford,

Feminine (London: Routledge,

11.

Luce Irigaray:

Philosophy

F o r a fuller explanation of Foucault's reworking of Aristotle, "What was at issue was not whether the prison environment

was too harsh or too aseptic, too primitive or too efficient, but its very materiality as an instrument and vector of power," Discipline and Punish,

p.

30;

Surveiller et

punir,

p.

35.

13. See Foucault, "Nietzsche, Genealogy, History," in The Foucault Reader, ed. Paul Rabinow (New York: Pantheon,

14.

1984).

See Z a k i a Pathak a n d Rajeswari Sunder Rajan, "Shahbano," in

Judith Butler and Joan Scott, eds., Feminists Theorize the Political ( N e w York: Routledge, 1992), pp. 257-79. 15.

(Notes

sis," pp. 58-63. On the p r o b l e m of the dynamic relation between

Essays, trans. Ben Brewster ( N e w York: M o n t h l y Review Press,

in

John

Rajchman,

Truth

and

Ethics (New York: Routledge,

Eros:

Foucault,

Lacan,

and

the

Question

of

6. This is not to suggest that psychoanalysis is only to be represented by these two figures, although in this analysis it w i l l be. 7. M i c h e l

Foucault,

The

History

of

Sexuality,

Volume

1:

An

Introduc-

tion, tr. Robert H u r l e y (New York: R a n d o m House, 1978), p. 152; F o u cault, La volonté de savoir (Paris: G a l l i m a r d , 1978), p. 200. 8. T h i s question is raised in a different way by Charles Taylor w h e n he asks whether there is a place for Augustinian "inwardness" in F o u -

Louis Althusser, "Ideology a n d Ideological State Apparatuses Towards

an

Investigation),"

Lenin

and

Philosophy

and

Other

1971),

pp. 170-77. 16.

For an excellent book that appropriates this Althusserian p r o b -

lematic for feminism, see Denise Riley, "Am I That Name? ": Feminism and

1991).

the

see "Bodies that Matter" i n m y Bodies that Matter, pp. 32-36.

Lacan, see Jacques-Alain Miller, " M i c h e l Foucault a n d Psychoanaly-

see the very useful comparative discussion of Foucault and Lacan

in

1991), pp. 53~74-

same volume, for a discussion of Foucault as writing indirectly about

ethical demands a n d the subjectivity to w h i c h they are addressed,

Sigmund

Freud, ed. a n d trans. James Strachey, 24 vols. (London: H o g a r t h , 1953-

12.

1975), p. 202.

veiller et punir: Naissance de la prison (Paris: G a l l i m a r d ,

( N e w b u r y Park, Calif.:

9. See my "Foucault and the Paradox of Bodily Inscriptions," Journal of Philosophy 86, no. 11 (November 1989): 257-79.

(New York: Routledge, 1995).

of Identity

1. T h e following Chapter

Pages

It is also taken up in an interesting way by W i l l i a m C o n n o l l y in his

CHAPTER 3

The Question

to

the

Category

of

'Women

in

History

(Minneapolis:

University

of

M i n n e s o t a Press, 1988). 17.

See Slavoj Z i z e k on the social interpellation of the proper name

in The Sublime Object of Ideology (London: Verso, 1989), pp. 87-102. 18. Jacqueline Rose, Sexuality in the Field of Vision (London: Verso,

1987), pp. 90-91. 19. Foucault, The 20. Foucault,

History of Sexuality, Volume 1, pp.

"The

Subject

and

Power,"

Michel

95-96. Foucault:

Beyond

cault; see his "Foucault on F r e e d o m and Truth," in D a v i d C o u z e n s

Structuralism and Hermeneutics, ed. Hubert L. Dreyfus and Paul Rabi-

H o y , éd., Foucault: A Critical Reader (New York: Blackwell, 1986), p. 99.

now (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1982), p. 212.

208

Notes

to

Pages

Notes

102-9

21. See the preface to Victor Burgin, James D o n a l d , and C o r a

in On

to

Pages

209

109-12

the Genealogy of Morals, linking the first with the capacity to

1986), for a

promise and the second to the problem of internalization and of debt.

psychoanalytic warning against "collapsing" the psychic and the

The distinction appears not to be sustained, as it becomes apparent

Kaplan, eds., Formations of Fantasy (London:

Methuen,

that the being who promises can only stand for his/her future by first

social. 22. In the above, the terms "attachment" and "investment" might

becoming regular, that is, by internalizing the law or, to be precise,

be understood as intentional in the phenomenological sense, that is,

"burning it into the will." Internalization, introduced in the second

as libidinal movements or trajectories w h i c h always take an object.

essay, section 16, involves the turning of the w i l l (or instincts) against

There is no free-floating attachment w h i c h subsequently takes an

itself. In section fifteen, Nietzsche introduces freedom as that w h i c h

object; rather, an attachment is always an attachment to an object,

turns against itself in the making of bad conscience: "This instinct for

where that to w h i c h it is attached alters the attachment itself. T h e

freedom forcibly made l a t e n t . . . this instinct for freedom pushed back

transferability of attachment presupposes that the object to w h i c h an

and repressed, incarcerated within and finally able to discharge and

attachment is made may change, but that the attachment w i l l per-

vent itself only on itself: that, and that alone, is what the bad conscience

sist and w i l l always take some object, and that this action of binding

is in its beginnings" (Friedrich Nietzsche, On the Genealogy of Morals,

to (tied always to a certain warding off) is the constitutive action of

trans. Walter K a u f m a n n and R. J. Hollingdale [New York: R a n d o m

attachment. This notion of attachment seems close to certain efforts

House, 1967], p. 87).

to account for drives in non-biologistic terms (to be distinguished

4. Louis Althusser, "Ideology and Ideological State Apparatuses

from efforts that take the biological seriously). Here one might seek

(Notes

recourse to Gilles Deleuze's reading of drives in Masochism: An In-

Essays, trans. Ben Brewster (New York: M o n t h l y Review Press,

terpretation

pp.

of

Coldness

and

Cruelty

(New

tation de Sacher-Masoch [Paris: Minuit,

York:

Braziller,

1971;

Presen-

1967]), in w h i c h he suggests

Towards

127-88;

an

Investigation),"

"Idéologie

et

Lenin

appareils

and

Philosophy

idéologiques

and

d'etat,"

Other

1971), Positions

(Paris: Editions Sociales, 1976), pp. 67-126.

that drives may be understood as the pulsionality of positing or

5. Althusser implicates his o w n writing in the version of ideologi-

valuation. See also Jean Laplanche's recent discussions in w h i c h "the

cal interpellation that he explains: "it is essential to realize that both

drive" becomes indissociable from its cultural articulation: "we think

he who is writing these lines and the reader who reads them are

it necessary to conceive of a dual expository stage: on the one hand,

themselves subjects, and therefore ideological subjects (a tautologi-

the preliminary stage of an organism that is b o u n d to homeostasis

cal proposition, i.e. that the author and the reader of these lines both

and self-preservation, and, on the other hand, the stage of the adult

live 'spontaneously' or 'naturally' in ideology" (ibid., p. 171; p. 110).

cultural w o r l d in w h i c h the infant is immediately and completely i m -

In this remark, Althusser presumes the authoritative capacities of the

mersed," }ean

voice and insists that his writing, to the extent that it is ideological,

Laplanche:

Seduction,

Translation,

Drives,

ed.

John

Fletcher

and M a r t i n Stanton (London: Institute of Contemporary Arts, 1992), p. 187.

addresses its reader as w o u l d a voice. 6. Ibid., p. 177. 7.

CHAPTER 4 1.

See

Walter

See

Kaja

Psychoanalysis

and

Silverman,

Cinema

The

Acoustic

(Bloomington:

Mirror:

Indiana

The

Female

University

Voice

in

Press,

1988). Silverman notes the "theological" dimension of the "voiceBenjamin,

On

the

Origins

of

German

Tragic

Drama,

trans. Peter Osborne (Cambridge: M I T Press, 1987).

over" in film, w h i c h always escapes the viewer's gaze (p. 49). Silverm a n also makes clear that the voice recognized in the cinematic pre-

2. I thank H a y d e n White for this suggestion.

sentation of voice is not only the maternal voice, but a repudiated

3. Nietzsche distinguishes between conscience and bad conscience

dimension of the masculine subject's o w n voice (pp. 80-81). Silver-

210

Notes

to Pages

Notes

113-19

to

Pages

211

120-39

man's analysis sheds light on the "voice" of ideology insofar as the

tence) from the ideas of the i n d i v i d u a l concerned, i.e. from h i m as a

subject w h o turns around already knows the voice to w h i c h he re-

subject with a consciousness w h i c h contains the ideas of his belief.

sponds, suggesting an irreducible ambiguity between the "voice" of

In this way, i.e. by means of the absolutely ideological 'conceptual'

conscience a n d the "voice" of the law.

device (dispositif) thus set up (a subject endowed with a conscious-

8. See

section

I

in

Louis

Althusser,

L'avenir dure

longtemps,

suivi les

9. Louis Althusser and Etienne Balibar, Reading Capital, trans. Ben Brewster (London: Verso, 1970), p. 26; Lire le Capital (Paris: François 10. Jean-Marie Vincent, " L a lecture symptomale chez Althusser," in Futur Antérieur, éd., Sur Althusser: Passages (Paris: Éditions L ' H a r Althusser, "Ideology a n d Ideological State Apparatuses," p. 132;

"Idéologie," p. 72. O n e might usefully compare M a x Weber's The Protestant Ethic

w it h Althusser on this point. In both, labor is effectively guaranteed through a C h r i s t i a n ethic, although in Althusser the religious inflection appears to be more Catholic than Protestant.

See Slavoj Zizek, The Sublime Object of Ideology (London: Verso,

15.

M l a d e n Dolar,

" B e y o n d Interpellation,"

Qui Parle 6,

no.

2

(Spring-Summer 1993): 73-96. T h e English version is a revision of the Autoritt (Vienna: H o r a Verlag,

1990), pp. 66-79,

1991).

16.

Althusser, "Ideology a n d Ideological State Apparatuses," p. 166.

17.

Dolar, "Beyond Interpellation," p. 76.

18. Althusser, "Ideology and Ideological State Apparatuses," pp. 169-70; "Idéologie," p. 109. 19.

13. Pierre B o u r d i e u elaborates the concept of the habitus in The Logic of Practice (Stanford: Stanford University Press,

14.

original, "Jenseits der A n r u f u n g , " in Slavoj Zizek, ed., Gestalten der

mattan, 1993), p. 97 (my translation).

12.

follows" (p. 167).

1989), pp. 1-2.

M a s p e r o , 1968).

11.

ness in w h i c h he freely forms or freely recognizes ideas in w h i c h he believes), the (material) attitude of the subject concerned naturally

faits (Paris: Éditions S T O C K / I M E C , 1992).

Dolar, "Beyond Interpellation," p. 78.

20. G i o r g i o

Agamben,

The

Coming

Community,

trans.

Michael

H a r d t (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1993), p. 43.

where he analyzes the embodied rituals of everydayness by w h i c h a given culture produces and sustains belief in its o w n "obviousness."

CHAPTER 5

B o u r d i e u underscores the place of the body, its gestures, its stylistics, its unconscious "knowingness" as the site for the reconstitution of a

N O T E : T h i s paper was first presented at the D i v i s i o n 39 Meetings of

practical sense without w h i c h social reality c o u l d not be constituted.

the A m e r i c a n Psychological Association i n N e w York C i t y i n A p r i l

Bourdieu's notion of the habitus might well be read as a reformula-

1993. It was subsequently published with the replies from a n d to

tion of Althusser's notion of ideology. Whereas Althusser writes that

Adam

ideology constitutes the "obviousness" of the subject, but that this

spectives 5 no. 2 (1995): 165-94.

obviousness is the effect of a dispositif, the same term reemerges in

Phillips

in

Psychoanalytic

1. Sigmund Freud,

Dialogues:

A

journal

Relational

Per-

The Ego and the Id, in The Standard Edition of the

Bourdieu to describe the way in w h i c h a habitus generates certain

Complete

beliefs. F o r B o u r d i e u , dispositions are generative and transposable.

Strachey, 24 vols. (London: H o g a r t h , 1953-74), 9

Psychological

of

Works

of

Sigmund

Freud,

ed. x

and

trans.

James

:

Note in Althusser's "Ideology and Ideological State Apparatuses"

2. Presumably, sexuality must be trained away from things, ani-

the inception of this latter reappropriation: " A n i n d i v i d u a l believes in

mals, parts of all of the above, a n d narcissistic attachments of vari-

G o d , or Duty, or Justice, etc. This belief derives (for everyone, i.e. for

ous kinds.

all those w h o live in an ideological representation of ideology, w h i c h

3. The notion of foreclosure has become Lacanian terminology for

reduces ideology to ideas endowed by definition with a spiritual exis-

Freud's notion of Verwerfung. Distinguished from repression under-

212

Notes

to

Pages

140-53

Notes

stood as an action by an already-formed subject, foreclosure is an act of negation that founds and forms the subject. See the entry " F o r c l u -

5. Q u o t e d i n S. D u n n , 6. M a r y Douglas, Purity

to

Pages

213

156-74.

Walking Light (New York: N o r t o n , and

Danger

1993).

(London, Routledge, 1966).

sion" in J. Laplanche and J.-B. Pontalis, Vocabulaire de la psychanalyse (Paris: Presses Universitaires de France, 1967), pp. 163-67. 4. Sigmund F r e u d ,

" M o u r n i n g and Melancholia,"

Standard Edition,

CHAPTER 6

14: 169.

1.

5. S i g m u n d F r e u d , " O n Narcissism: An Introduction," Standard

14:

Edition,

81-82.

ander

6. See F r e u d , Civilization and Its Discontents, trans. James Strachey, (New York: Norton, 1977), pp. 81-92.

Eric

and

Santner,

Stranded

(Ithaca:

Objects:

Mourning,

Memory,

C o r n e l l University Press,

Margarate

Mitscherlich,

The

Inability

and

Film

in

1990), and Alexto

Mourn:

Principles

of Collective Behavior, trans. Beverley R. Placzek ( N e w York: G r o v e Press, 1975). See also, for a feminist account that situates melancho-

7. See "Contagious W o r d : 'Homosexuality' and the Military," in m y Excitable Speech (New York: Routledge, 1996).

8. See m y

See

Postwar Germany

lia within the production of sexual difference, Juliana Schiesari, The Gendering

1993), pp. 169-

Loss

9. T h e following argument is taken from my Bodies That Matter, pp.

tion

Bodies That Matter (New York: Routledge,

in

of

Melancholia:

Feminism,

Renaissance Literature

Psychoanalysis,

and

the

Symbolics

of

(Ithaca: C o r n e l l University Press, 1992).

2. S i g m u n d F r e u d , " M o u r n i n g and Melancholia," The Standard Edi-

77233-36.

Complete

Psychological

Works

of Sigmund

Freud,

ed.

and

trans.

3. H e r e Melanie Klein's trenchant intervention on the relation of

10. See " F r e u d and the Melancholia of G e n d e r " in my Gender Trouble:

of the

James Strachey, 24 vols. (London: Hogarth, 1953-74), 14: 256. Feminism

and

the

Subversion

of Identity

(New

York:

Routledge,

1990).

melancholia to paranoia and manic-depressive states does not carry the analysis far enough. H e r theory tends to rely on tropes of inter-

This is not to suggest that an exclusionary matrix rigorously

nality without asking whether such tropes are the effects of a melan-

distinguishes between how one identifies and how one desires; it is

cholia that they seek to explain. See "A Contribution to the Psycho-

quite possible to have overlapping identification and desire in hetero-

genesis of Manic-Depressive States" (1935) and " M o u r n i n g and Its

sexual or homosexual exchange, or in a bisexual history of sexual

Relation to Manic-Depressive States" (1935) i n The Selected Melanie

practice. Furthermore, "masculinity" and "femininity" do not ex-

Klein, ed. Juliet Mitchell (London: Penguin,

haust the terms for either eroticized identification or desire.

essay on K l e i n and the p r i m a r y status of aggression, see Jacqueline

11.

12. See Douglas C r i m p , " M o u r n i n g and Militancy," October 51 (Winter 1989): 97-107. 13.

Leo

Bersani,

The

Rose's "Negativity in the W o r k of Melanie Klein," in Why War? — Psychoanalysis,

Freudian

Body:

Psychoanalysis

and

Art

(New

Phillips

Reply

In

2. M i k k e l Borch-Jacobsen, The Emotional Tie (Stanford: Stanford University Press, 1993); Leo Bersani, The Freudian Body. Freud,

Three

Essays

on

the

History

the

Return

to

Melanie

Klein

(Oxford:

Basil

Unconscious"

the

Standard

(Standard

Edition,

James

Edition,

14:

Strachey

201),

notes

by

Dingvorstellung.

that

Dingvorstellung

appears in The Interpretation of Dreams in the discussion of jokes.

1. F r e u d , The Ego and the Id, 19: 12-59.

3.

and

4. H e r e F r e u d replaces the term Sachvorstellung, used in his essay "The

to

Politics,

Blackwell, 1993), pp. 137-90.

York: C o l u m b i a University Press, 1986), pp. 64-66,112-13. Notes

1986). F o r an excellent

of Sexuality,

125-243. 4. F r e u d , " M o u r n i n g and Melancholia."

Standard

Edition,

7:

The distinction is that between a word-presentation and a thingpresentation. Strachey explains that the latter consists in "the cathexis, if not of the direct memory-images of the thing, at least of remoter memory-traces derived from these" (ibid.). 5. F r e u d concedes as m u c h earlier in the essay w h e n he remarks

214

Notes

to

Pages

174-95

Notes

to Page

215

195

that "the loss of a love object is an excellent opportunity for the a m -

for

bivalence in love-relationships to make itself effective and come into

(New York: Routledge, 1996). Based in quite different psychoanalytic

the open" (250-51). Toward the end of the essay, F r e u d remarks u p o n

views, each has contested the centrality of incorporation and super-

"an essential analogy between m o u r n i n g and melancholia": m o u r n -

egoic functions in the account of internalization.

ing impels the ego to detach from its lost object in order to continue to live, and melancholia, through "the struggle of ambivalence loosen(s) the fixation of the libido to the object by disparaging it" (257). 6. Walter

Benjamin,

The

Origin

of

the

German

Tragic

Drama,

trans.

John Osborne (London: N L B , 1977), pp. 92-97. 7. S i g m u n d F r e u d , "Trauer u n d Melancholie," Psychologie des Unbewussten, 8. See

Studienausgabe Roy

(Frankfurt a. M . : S. Fischer,

Schaefer,

A

New

Language

for

1982), 193-212.

Psychoanalysis

(New

H a v e n : Yale University Press, 1976), p. 177. For a view of fantasy that operates within melancholia, see chapter one of Nicolas A b r a ham

and

Maria

Torok,

The

Shell

and

the

Kernel:

Renewals

of

Psycho-

analysis, tr. and ed. Nicholas T. Rand (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1994). 9. "The image of man's body is the principle of every unity he perceives in objects . . . all the objects of his w o r l d are always structured a r o u n d the wandering shadow of his o w n ego [l'ombre errante de son

propre

moi]"

(Jacques

Lacan,

The

Seminar

of Jacques

Lacan,

Book

II,

trans. Sylvana Tomaselli [ N e w York: W. W. N o r t o n , 1991], p. 166; Le Séminaire, livre II [Paris: Seuil, 1978], p. 198). 10.

Sigmund Freud,

The Ego and the Id, The Standard Edition,

19:

54.

("Wie kommt es nun, dass bei der Melancholie das der Ich zu einer A r t Sammelstàtte der Todestriebe werden kann?") 11. On p r i m a r y mimesis, see M i k k e l Borch-Jacobsen, The Emotional Tie: Psychoanalysis, Mimesis, and Affect

(Stanford:

Stanford

University

Press, 1993). 12.

H o m i K. Bhabha, "Postcolonial Authority and Postmodern

Guilt," in Lawrence Grossberg et al., eds., Cultural Studies: A Reader ( N e w York: Routledge, 1992), pp. 65-66. 13.

Ibid., p. 66.

14.

F r e u d , The Ego and the Id, p. 253.

15.

F r e u d , " M o u r n i n g and Melancholia," p. 254.

16. Jessica Benjamin has argued something similar in Bonds of Love (New York: Pantheon, 1988), and Kaja Silverman has made the case

"heteropathic

identification"

in

The

Threshold

of

the

Visible

World

17. Jacques Derrida, remarks, Humanities Research Institute, U n i versity of California, Irvine, A p r i l 5,1995.

Index

Abraham, Nicolas, 214118

death, 27, 41-43,142

Agamben, Giorgio, 130-31, 2111120 agency, 10,13-16 AIDS, 27, 138,148, 154

Deleuze, Gilles, 2o8n22 Derrida, Jacques, 195, 215017

Althusser, Louis, 2, 5-6, 30, 95-

96, 106-31, 207ni5, 20904-6, 21008-9, 2 i o n n

desire, 22-23, 39~4°< 61-62,103,

108, 193-94 Dolar, Mladen, 120-26, 2 i m i 5 Douglas, Mary, 159

Aristotle, 90-91, 207ml Bartky, Sandra, 2o6n2 Bhabha, Homi, 190, 214012 Benjamin, Jessica, 2i4ni6 Benjamin, Walter, 174, 208m,

21406 Bersani, Leo, 2i2n3 body, 35-36, 42-43, 47-48, 51,

54-55- 57, 59- 68, 83-87, 89-91 Borch-Jacobsen, Mikkel, 152, 189,

212n2

foreclosure, 8-9, 23 Foucault, Michel, 2-3, 5-7, 16, 18,

25» 31-33* 53/ 58-60, 83-105, 203n6, 204n2, 20404, 20507, 20603, 20607, 207019-20 Freud, Sigmuod, 22, 34, 53, 55-

58, 60-61, 63, 69, 78-82,132-52, 167-95, 20406, 20504-8 grief, 24, 138-40, 145-47 guilt, 25, 73-74,107-9, 118-19,141

Bourdieu, Pierre, 2ion3 Brown, Wendy, 202n2

Hegel, G. W. F., 3, 23, 24, 31-61,

Connolly, William, 20708

homosexuality, 23, 80, 82, 93-94,

176,193 conscience, 18, 22-24, 63-64, 67-

69, 71, 107, 109, 114, 115, 118, 129, 132-33, 172, 181, 183, 185, 188,191-97 Crimp, Douglas, 212012

133-50, 163-66 ioterpellatioo, 106-11,128-29, 1-97 Jones, Eroest, 156

218

Index

Kierkegaard, Soren, 48 Klein, Melanie, 25, 153, 170, 203ni3, 21303 Lacan, Jacques, 87, 94-98, 115, 122, 124,127, 152, 187, 202n2, 203n7, 2 i i n 3 , 21409 Laplanche, Jean, 2 0 4 ^ , 2o8n22 love, 7-8, 25-27, 127-28,168, 171 Macherey, Pierre, 2o6n5 Marcuse, Herbert, 58 masochism, 102 melancholia, 19, 23,133-97 Miller, Jacques-Alain, 2o6n5 Mitscherlich, Alexander and Margarete, 213m norms, 19, 21, 25, 28, 32, 99

Rose, Jacqueline, 97, 207ni8 sadism, 46 Santner, Eric, 213m Schaefer, Roy, 2i4n8 Silverman, Kaja, 20907, 2i4ni6 sociality, 21, 29, 165, 178-79, 181-82, 185, 196, 198 soul, 76, 85-86, 89-91 Spinoza, Benedict de, 27, 62, 203~4ni4 Spivak, Gayatry Chakravorty, 203ni2 sublimation, 92 survival, 7, 28, 193,195-96 Taylor, Charles, 2o6n8 Torok, Maria, 2i4n8 turn, trope of the, 3-4, 68, 76, 81,106-7, H4 5> !30/140-42, 168-69, 189, 193,197-98 _1

paranoia, 27, 80 Pathak, Zakia, 207ni4 performatives, 110,114 Phillips, Adam, 151-65 Pontalis, J.-B., 2 0 4 ^ psychoanalysis, 6-7, 11, 25, 55, 86-87, !38/144-46,156-65,198 Quintillian, Marcus, 201m rage, 180-81,183,190,193,195 Rajan, Rajeswari Sunder, 207ni4 Rajchman, John, 2o6n5 Riley, Denise, 207ni6

Valéry, Paul, 156 Vincent, Jean-Marie, 113-14, 2ionio Weber, Max, 2ioni2 White, Hayden, 201m, 2o8n2 Whitford, Margaret, 207nio will, 63-66, 69-70, 72-73, 76-77 Wittgenstein, Ludwig, 124 Zizek, Slavoj, 207ni7, 2 i m i 4

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Butler, Judith P. T h e psychic life of power : theories in subjection / Judith Butler. p.

cm.

Includes bibliographical references a n d index. ISBN 0-8047-2811-9 (cl.) 1. Self (Philosophy) aspects.

:

ISBN 0-8047-2812-7 (pbk.)

2. Power (Philosophy)

4. Power (Social sciences)

BD438.5.B88

3. Self—Social

I. Title.

1997

126—dc21

96-40851 CIP

® T h i s book is printed on acid-free, recycled paper. O r i g i n a l printing 1997 Last figure below indicates year of this printing:

07 06 05 04 03 02 01

CRITICAL THEORY; PHILOSOPHY

T H E PSYCHIC LIFE OF P O W E R Theories in Subjection JUDITH BUTLER As a form of power, subjection is paradoxical. To be dominated by a power external to oneself is a familiar a n d agonizing form power takes. To find, h o w ever, that what "one" is, one's very formation as a subject, is dependent u p o n that very power is quite another. If, following Foucault, we understand power as forming the subject as well, it provides the very condition of its existence and the trajectory of its desire. Power is not s i m p l y what we d e p e n d on for our existence but that w h i c h forms reflexivity as well. D r a w i n g u p o n Hegel, Nietzsche, Freud, Foucault, and Althusser, this challenging and lucid work offers a theory of subject formation that illuminates as ambivalent the psychic effects of social power. If we take Hegel a n d Nietzsche seriously, then the "inner life" of consciousness a n d , indeed, of conscience, not only is fabricated by power, but becomes one of the ways in w h i c h power is anchored in subjectivity. The author considers the way in w h i c h psychic life is generated by the social operation of power, a n d how that social operation of power is concealed a n d fortified by the psyche that it produces. Power is no longer understood to be "internali z e d " by an existing subject, but the subject is spawned as an ambivalent effect of power, one that is staged through the operation of conscience. To claim that power fabricates the psyche is also to claim that there is a fictional and fabricated quality to the psyche. The figure of a psyche that "turns against itself" is crucial to this study, and offers an alternative to describing power as "internalized." A l t h o u g h most readers of Foucault eschew psychoanalytic theory, and most thinkers of the psyche eschew Foucault, the author seeks to theorize this ambivalent relation between the social a n d the psychic as one of the most d y n a m i c a n d difficult effects of power. This w o r k combines social theory, philosophy, and psychoanalysis in novel ways, offering a more sustained analysis of the theory of subject formation implicit in such other works of the author as Bodies That Matter: On the Discursive

Limits

of

"Sex"

and

Gender

Trouble:

Professor

of Rheti

Feminism

and

the

Subversion

of

Identity. Judith University

Butler of

is

Chancellor's

California,

Berkeley.

The New York Public Library

J

MR

The Branch Libraries JEFFERSON M A R K E T REGIONAL B R A N C H

STANFORD

UNIVERSITY F

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425 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10011

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