Ghost Words and Invisible Giants: H.D., Djuna Barnes, and the Language of Suffering

Lheisa Dustin uses psychoanalytic theory to explore the "language of suffering" in the works of H.D. and Djuna Barnes, highlighting their disconnection, psychic splitting, and virulent thought patterns. She suggests that their creative brilliance helps manage their psychic suffering, with cryptic and ineffable styles attempting to embody meanings that cannot be expressed through language. Dustin also considers the authors' familial and romantic histories and social involvements, providing a detailed analysis of the forces at play beneath enigmatic modernist literary works.

Format: Hardback
Length: 308 pages
Publication date: 29 June 2021
Publisher: Fairleigh Dickinson University Press

In her book "Ghost Words and Invisible Giants," Lheisa Dustin delves into the psychoanalytic realm to unravel the enigmatic "language of suffering" prevalent in the works of iconic modernist authors H.D. and Djuna Barnes. Through a meticulous exploration, Dustin uncovers the profound disconnections, psychic splits, and venomous thought patterns that permeate these creative masterpieces, often perceived as deliberately enigmatic. By intertwining the authors' delicate psychic boundaries with a diverse array of figures, including parent figures, otherworldly beings, and ambivalent or malignant love objects, Dustin posits that their artistic brilliance serves as both a stage for and a means of managing their profound psychic anguish. The cryptic and ineffable styles employed in these texts entail an attempt to embody the meanings that elude verbal expression, resulting in a profound exploration of the boundaries between signifier and signified.

Dustin examines two of H.D.'s later works as exemplars of language that erases the boundaries between words, thoughts, and individuals. She argues that H.D. seeks to transcend this mental proliferation, envisioning a world where difference resurfaces in its hallucinatory form. In contrast, Dustin analyzes two novels by Barnes as employing fetishized words to evoke and deny childhood secrets. To augment her psychoanalytic interpretations, Dustin delves into the authors' familial and romantic histories, as well as their broader social involvements or noninvolvements, such as H.D.'s occultist practices and psychoanalytic sessions, Barnes's fascination with spectacle, and her subsequent reclusion. By integrating these diverse aspects, Dustin presents a comprehensive and compelling analysis of the intricate forces that underpin the enigmatic and "difficult" modernist literary works.

In this interpretative framework, the spectra of these authors' creations come to life, shedding light on the profound depths of their emotional turmoil, the complexities of their relationships, and the intricate interplay between their artistic expressions and personal experiences. "Ghost Words and Invisible Giants" offers a rich and nuanced perspective on the enigmatic world of modernist literature, inviting readers to delve into the depths of these authors' minds and discover the profound resonances that lie hidden beneath their enigmatic works.

Weight: 640g
Dimension: 228 x 162 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781683932307