Saint Hysteria: Neurosis, Mysticism, and Gender in European Culture

Publication Type

Book

Year of Publication

1996

Author

Mazzoni, Cristina

Pages

240

Publisher

Cornell UP

Place Published

Ithaca

Language

English

Keywords

dualism
gender
mysticism
neurosis

Annotation

The concluding chapter ( p. 204-211) of Mazzoni's book begins with a brief discussion of some of Weil's comments on mysticism. Mazzoni reflects in some depth upon the complexities and contradictions that emerge when one considers Weil herself a mystic. She notes Weil's affinities to women mystics of the past while in many ways still being very much a woman of her own time and place. She discussion the issues of neuroses and hysteria in relation to Weil as well as the dualism that, while often transcended, is inherent in Weil’s thought