Kristina Fjelkestam's artide is a review of the feminist theoretical discussion in Kvinnovetenskaplig tidskrift (Kvt) during the last twenty-five years. Inspired by English language journals such as Sign sand Feminist Review, Kvt has emphasised a double strategy from the very first issue. On the one hand the editors declare that Kvt is supposed to act as a disseminator of international and national feminist research in Sweden, and, on the other hand, to engage in a dialogue with the women's movement activists. Kristina Fjelkestam identifies the central feminist theme that runs through Kvfs twenty-fiveyear history as being the "whys" and "hows" of the subordination of women. Although the questions remains central to feminist theory, the explanations have varied over time. Two major theoretical shifts are re-read and analysed, namely the early theories of patriarchy and the more comtemporary theories of intersectionality. A reflection on the epistemological and ontological foundations of emancipatory theory concludes the article.
<p>The sentimental novel and the struggle for citizenship: Rousseau’s <em>Julie </em>and Staël’s<em> Delphine</em></p><p>The tragic fates of a great number of women in sentimental novels of the eighteenth century can be viewed against the background of classic liberal theory. They provide examples of how individual freedom and restraint in the name of common good can be reconciled. Faced with the impossible choice between a life guided by the principle of love and that of virtue, women often choose self-sacrifice as a means of preserving a sense of individuality in the face of the demands of public universality. The epistolary novels, <em>Julie ou La Nouvelle Héloïse </em>(1761) of Jean Jacques Rousseau and the <em>Delphine </em>(1802) of Germaine de Staël, present two rather different treatments of this problem. Rousseau’s Julie is a woman whose unquenchable desire transforms her into a prototype of female unreliability not worthy of societal recognition. Staël’s Delphine, in turn, unmasks a ruthless and unprincipled society which prohibits her from becoming its full-fledged member.</p>
”We’re in a Kind of 1789: Past as Present in the Cultural Figure ScandalThis article argues that the various conspiracy theories surrounding the Swedish Academy scandal constitute historical parables. Clichéd representations of the 18th century came in handy in the public debate, especially when Katarina Frostenson and Horace Engdahl refuted the accusations of sexual abuse aimed against Frostenson’s husband, who was called the ”cultural figure.” Focusing on the writings of and interviews with these two members of the Swedish Academy, three main tropes are found: ”The Revolution,” ”The Conspiracy,” and ”The Libertine.” Concluding remarks point out that historical parables and the idea of ”similarity” between past and present presupposes the past as an immovable entity possible to continually revisit, even thoughthe past only exists in our interpretations of it. However, the opposite concept of static ”difference” between past and present is not satisfactory either, but since theory of history tends to be locked in a dichotomy of eithe ”similarity” or ”difference” the article finally suggests perspectives inspired by postcolonial and queer theory in order to transgress this contrariety.
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