The political in Hélène Cixous’s writings. Sexual difference, dreams and resistance.

Abstract

The political in Hélène Cixous’s writings is embedded in the language itself; in the opening of a metaphrastic space that allows something to happen or makes something happen. Hence, its meaning is not confined to actual politics, but refers to literature itself, the act of writing and the relationship of both phenomena to life in general. In other words, the essence of the political is to be found in the writing itself and the author’s view on contemporary history or politics is not the issue. This article explores the relationship between the poetic, the political, and sexual difference in the works of Cixous with reference to Jacques Derrida’s philosophy. The intention is to show the degree of opposition, resistance, and transformative potential these writings generate.  

Keywords: The political, literature, sexual difference, dreams, resistance