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The Freudian subject and the Maoist mind: the diaries of Hermine Hug-Hellmuth and Lei Feng.

Authors :
Larson W
Source :
Psychoanalysis and history [Psychoanal Hist] 2011; Vol. 13 (2), pp. 157-80.
Publication Year :
2011

Abstract

Although written in vastly different cultural contexts and periods, Hermine Hug-Hellmuth's "Diary of a Young Girl" (1919) and Lei Feng's "The Diary of Lei Feng" (1963) both to a large extent were written as concept pieces, with the goal of illustrating specific theories of the self. In the case of Hug-Hellmuth, the underlying theory is the Freudian sexualized unconscious mind, whereas for Lei Feng, it is Maoist revolutionary optimism. Additionally, both diaries have unusually strong inauthentic or 'fake' aspects. Although Hug-Hellmuth never admitted to writing the diary, most critics believed it came from her pen. Lei Feng's diary was revised through his own attempts to present himself as politically progressive, by editors, and through successive political movements that focused on the person behind the diary and made him one of the most widely-recognized figures in China. As such, the diaries are excellent windows into powerful and long-lasting ideological constructs.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1460-8235
Volume :
13
Issue :
2
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Psychoanalysis and history
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
21970021
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3366/pah.2011.0087