HANDOUT ON FOUCAULT, HISTORY OF SEXUALITY, VOLUME I
Assignments for next time
Michel Foucault, "We 'Other Victorians'" and "The Repressive Hypothesis," The Foucault Reader: 292-329.
Michel Foucault, "On the Genealogy of Ethics," The Foucault Reader: 340-72.
Questions on "We 'Other Victorians'" (1976)
Foucault begins (naturally enough) by summarizing the views he'll be arguing against. In his opening paragraphs, he tells how most people view the history of sexuality. In most accounts of this story, Foucault says, the Victorians are case as villains or prudes, who introduced a "regime" of repression or denial.
Foucault rejects this view--and with it, a certain image of Freud. (Remember Freud liked to present himself as having given us the means by which to set aside Victorian prudery and repression.) One of your main jobs for next time will be to figure out why Foucault objects to this more or less Freudian view of the Victorians. Does he see the Victorians as unprudish? Does he think that Freud misunderstood or misrepresented the Victorians? Does he think that Freud misunderstood or misrepresented himself?
Questions on "The Repressive Hypothesis" (1976)
In dealing with this selection, it might be wise to begin with Foucault's chapter title and subheadings: "The Repressive Hypothesis," "Incitement to Discourse," and "The Perverse Implantation."
What, first of all, is the "repressive hypothesis"? Whose hypothesis is it? Foucault's? Freud's? The Victorians'? What about the "incitement to discourse"? Who or what is "inciting" whom or what to discourse about sexuality? Finally, what about the "perverse implantation"? What is being "implanted" into whom or what here?
Questions on "On the Genealogy of Ethics" (1983)
This interview was conducted about a year before Foucault's death, and as you read it, try to see if you detect any changes or shifts in his thinking. Look, of course, at what he's saying about sexuality--but also consider his statements about power, discourse, and knowledge. Is he moving in new directions here? If so, are you interested in these new developments?
What next?