Daughters of Saturn: From Father's Daughter to Creative Woman

by Patricia Reis

Overview

Patricia Reis examines how the father-daughter relationship effects a woman's creative life. First describing the mythology of Saturn-the archetypal devouring and melancholic father-she then matches Saturn's mythological daughters-Hestia, Demeter, Hera, and Aprodite-with four modern women writers-Emily Dickinson, H.D., (Hilda Doolittle), Sylvia Plath, and Anais Nin-and uses these stories, as well as the dreams and stories of other contemporary women, to reveal a path women can follow outside the realm of the fathers to a woman-centered ground of creative authority.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781882670321
Publisher:	Spring Journal Inc
Publication date:	01/28/2006
Pages:	361
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Patricia Reis has an MFA from UCLA and a degree in Depth Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. She is the author of Through the Goddess: A Woman's Way of Healing and The Dreaming Way: Dreamwork and Art for Remembering and Recovery.

Editorial Reviews

A psychotherapist and feminist with degrees in English literature, psychology, and sculpture, Reis here analyzes the father-daughter relationship, in particular examining the role of the father (both the personal father and the general patriarchal society) in the daughter's development of her creative potential. Reis develops a four-stage model for a woman seeking to develop her creative autonomy: from domination by the personal father, through dealing with the expectations of society, to the search for independence and women's support, and, finally, the development of full self-confidence. Reis uses the myths of Saturn and his daughters as a prototype for society and a woman's role therein, and, in analyzing her four stages, gives examples from her personal experience and from women authors who include Emily Dickinson and Sylvia Plath. One need not espouse the theories and viewpoints of the author to find this a fascinating and thought-provoking book. Recommended for academic collections serving women's studies, psychology, and literature programs.-Kay Brodie, Chesapeake Coll., Wye Mills, Md.

Library Journal