Speaking in hunger
gender, discourse, and consumption in Richardson's Clarissa
Donnalee Frega
177 pages | ~5 hrs
Speaking in hunger
gender, discourse, and consumption in Richardson's Clarissa
By Donnalee Frega
In this thought-provoking exploration, Donnalee Frega challenges conventional wisdom about eating disorders by reframing anorexia as a form of communication rather than simply an illness. Rather than viewing these behaviors as private suffering experienced primarily by women, Frega presents a broader perspective that recognizes eating disorders as strategic responses employed by young people of all genders when faced with impossible standards of perfection.
The author guides readers through three critical environments where these patterns typically emerge: family dynamics within the home, social pressures through friendships and romantic connections, and the complex terrain of religious and spiritual life. By examining these interconnected spheres, Frega reveals how cultural and social forces have shaped our understanding of "normal" versus "abnormal" eating throughout history.
What sets this work apart is its innovative approach to understanding anorexia as a learned language shared through family interactions, rather than a desperate rejection of life itself. This perspective opens new pathways for comprehension and healing. Frega enriches her analysis by drawing from Samuel Richardson's eighteenth-century novel Clarissa, demonstrating how the story of a "fasting" girl continues to offer psychological insights nearly three centuries later.
For readers interested in the intersection of spirituality, psychology, and social dynamics, this comprehensive study offers fresh insights into how we communicate through our relationship with food and our bodies.
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Power (Social sciences) in literature
- ✓ Explore History and criticism
- ✓ Explore Anorexie mentale dans la litterature
- ✓ Explore Epistolary fiction, English
- ✓ Explore History
- ✓ Explore Hunger in literature
- ✓ Explore Women in literature
- ✓ Explore Histoire et critique
Topics
Details
- Published
- 1998
- Publisher
- University of South Carolina Press, Brand: University of South Carolina Press
- ISBN-10
- 1570032262
- Pages
- 177
- Language
- EN
