Etymology of Jouissance
The term “jouissance” has its origins in the French language and can be traced back to Old French, where it was used to denote “enjoyment” or “pleasure.” Derived from the Old French verb “jouir,” meaning “to enjoy,” the term evolved and acquired nuanced meanings in various contexts.
In psychoanalytic discourse, particularly in the work of Jacques Lacan, “jouissance” takes on a complex and somewhat elusive significance, encompassing both pleasure and suffering.
It refers to a form of intense, often paradoxical, enjoyment that is closely linked to desire and the unconscious. Lacan’s use of “jouissance” has left a significant mark on psychoanalytic theory, contributing to discussions about the intricate relationship between pleasure, desire, and the unconscious mind.
Meanings of Jouissance
| Meaning | Explanation |
| Lacanian Psychoanalysis | In literary theory and psychoanalysis, jouissance represents a complex and contradictory form of pleasure tied to unconscious desires and suffering. |
| Erotic and Sensual Pleasure | In literature, it describes intense, overwhelming experiences of erotic or sensual pleasure, often in works exploring desire and passion. |
| Excessive Enjoyment | Jouissance signifies excessive, transgressive enjoyment beyond conventional boundaries, often associated with characters or situations indulging in extreme or taboo pleasures. |
| Psychological Intensity | In literary theory, it refers to heightened emotional and psychological intensity in a character’s experience, driving narrative and character development. |
| Subversion of Norms | In literature, it is linked to subverting societal norms, challenging conventional values, and highlighting the disruptive power of unconventional enjoyment. |
| Suffering and Pain | It encompasses suffering or pain, especially when pleasure and pain intertwine, as seen in some works where characters experience jouissance through painful or masochistic processes. |
| Narrative Tension | It contributes to narrative tension in literary analysis, creating unpredictability and instability, often serving as a driving force behind plot developments and character motivations. |
| Language and Representation | In literature, it explores how language conveys the intensity of human experience, desire, and pleasure, or fails to do so. |
Definition of Jouissance as a Theoretical Term
Jouissance, as a theoretical term, originates from Lacanian psychoanalysis and refers to a complex and often paradoxical form of pleasure deeply intertwined with unconscious desires and even suffering. It signifies an intense and excessive enjoyment that transcends conventional boundaries and can be associated with transgressive or taboo experiences. In literary and cultural contexts, jouissance is employed to explore the profound emotional, psychological, and societal implications of pleasure, desire, and their intricate connections.
Jouissance: Theorists, Works and Arguments
Theorists:
- Jacques Lacan: Developed the concept of jouissance within the framework of psychoanalysis, emphasizing its role in understanding the relationship between pleasure, desire, and the unconscious.
Key Works:
- Écrits by Jacques Lacan: This seminal collection of Lacan’s writings contains several key essays where he delves into the concept of jouissance, particularly in relation to psychoanalytic theory.
Central Arguments:
- Lacanian Psychoanalysis: According to Lacan, it represents a pivotal element in psychoanalysis, highlighting the intricate and often contradictory nature of pleasure. It underscores the idea that pleasure is not solely a source of contentment but can also involve pain, suffering, and unconscious desires.
- Desire and Language: Lacan’s exploration of jouissance emphasizes its linguistic and symbolic dimensions. He argues that language plays a crucial role in shaping and constraining our experiences of pleasure and desire, making jouissance a complex interplay between language, the unconscious, and the self.
- Transgression and Societal Norms: In cultural and literary contexts, theorists draw on jouissance to analyze the subversion of societal norms and the disruption of conventional values through unconventional forms of enjoyment. It highlights how literature and culture challenge established boundaries of pleasure and desire.
Jouissance and Literary Theories
| Theory | Use |
| Psychoanalytic Theory: | Jouissance as Psychic Pleasure: In psychoanalytic literary theories, it is employed to explore the deep and often unconscious sources of psychic pleasure in literary texts. It helps analysts understand characters’ motivations, desires, and the hidden layers of their psyches. |
| Feminist Literary Theory: | Jouissance and Gender Dynamics: Feminist literary theorists use it to examine how gender roles and power dynamics influence experiences of pleasure and desire in literature. It can shed light on the representation of female and male desires and how they are constrained or liberated by societal norms. |
| Poststructuralist Theory: | Jouissance and Language: Poststructuralist approaches utilize it to deconstruct the relationship between language and desire in literature. It highlights the limitations of language in conveying the intensity of human experience and the role of linguistic structures in shaping desire. |
| Queer Theory: | Jouissance and Queer Desires: In queer literary theories, jouissance is used to analyze non-normative or LGBTQ+ experiences of pleasure and desire in literature. It helps theorists explore how texts challenge or conform to heteronormative conventions. |
| Narrative Theory: | Narrative Tension and Jouissance: Narrative theorists may employ it to examine how its presence or absence contributes to the tension and engagement within a literary work. It can be a driving force behind plot developments and character motivations, enhancing the reader’s experience. |
| Cultural Studies: | Jouissance and Cultural Critique: Cultural critics use jouissance to critique societal norms and values depicted in literature. It helps them analyze how texts subvert or reinforce established boundaries of pleasure and desire, offering insights into cultural ideologies. |
| Postcolonial Theory: | Colonialism, Desire, and Jouissance: In postcolonial literary theories, it can be used to explore the intersection of desire and colonialism in literature. It aids in understanding how colonial narratives depict pleasure and suffering within the context of imperialism. |
Jouissance in Literary Criticism
- Fleishman Is in Trouble by Taffy Brodesser-Akner (2019):
- In this novel, jouissance is intricately connected to the desires and complexities of modern relationships. Brodesser-Akner delves into the challenges and pleasures of contemporary romance, examining how the pursuit of personal pleasure and desires can lead to both fulfillment and chaos. The characters grapple with the intricate web of their own desires and their impact on their lives.
- My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh (2018):
- Moshfegh’s novel explores the protagonist’s relentless quest for a state of ultimate rest and emotional numbness as a form of jouissance. It delves into the darker aspects of pleasure, desire, and the human psyche, offering a stark portrayal of the lengths one might go to in order to escape the pressures of modern life.
- The Pisces by Melissa Broder (2018):
- In The Pisces, jouissance is at the heart of the narrative, manifesting through a passionate yet taboo relationship. Melissa Broder examines the intense pleasures and desires that lead to self-discovery and, in some instances, self-destructive behavior. The novel offers a contemporary exploration of jouissance through the lens of personal and unconventional desires.
- Milkman by Anna Burns (2018):
- Anna Burns’ novel Milkman explores jouissance within the framework of societal norms and political conflict. The unnamed protagonist navigates a world filled with unwanted attention and the constraints of her community, shedding light on the intricate interplay between desire, pleasure, and the oppressive forces of society. The concept of jouissance is used to analyze how the character’s desires are shaped by and, in turn, shape the world around her.
Suggested Readings
- Brodesser-Akner, Taffy. Fleishman Is in Trouble. Random House, 2019.
- Burns, Anna. Milkman. Graywolf Press, 2018.
- Broder, Melissa. The Pisces. Hogarth, 2018.
- Lacan, Jacques. Écrits. Translated by Bruce Fink, W. W. Norton & Company, 2006.
- Moshfegh, Ottessa. My Year of Rest and Relaxation. Penguin Press, 2018.
- Zizek, Slavoj. The Plague of Fantasies. Verso, 2008.