‘Something to be scared of’—Evil, the Feminine and Psychoanalytic Theory

Abstract

This is the second of three chapters comprising the second main section of the book in which we continue our explorations of theories, concepts and perspectives on evil from a cultural studies or narrative point of view. In this chapter, we will venture briefly into the fascinating territory of evil and psychoanalysis, with a specific emphasis on the work of the French philosopher and psychoanalyst Julia Kristeva, and the political scientist and commentator on psychoanalysis and evil C. Fred Alford. Psychoanalysis and the approach to evil will be considered specifically in relation to Kristeva’s The Powers of Horror (1982) and the very familiar and popular figure of the vampire as the contemporary epitome of evil. Using the vampire as an example, we will explore some of the approaches and ideas of psychoanalysis in relation to evil and ask, are vampires scary, pitiful or ‘baby stuff’? What is the ‘power’ of this very popular and lucrative form of ‘horror’?