Unseen City: The Psychic Lives of the Urban Poor

In Unseen City, Ankhi Mukherjee explores the relationship between global cities, poverty, and psychoanalysis, using clinical case studies and literary works to argue for a humanistic and imaginative engagement with the psychic lives of the dispossessed to alleviate poverty.

Format: Hardback
Length: 278 pages
Publication date: 09 December 2021
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

In her groundbreaking work, "Unseen City: The Psychic Lives of the Urban Poor," Ankhi Mukherjee delves into the intricate relationship between global cities, poverty, and psychoanalysis, offering a magisterial exploration of these interconnected realms. Spanning three continents, this ambitious book delves into the fictional representations of poverty, examining how they are shaped by the unique psychoanalytic and psychiatric cultures of each city, particularly in the context of state policies aimed at addressing the welfare needs of impoverished populations. Through extensive collaborations and knowledge-sharing with community psychotherapeutic initiatives in six global cities, Mukherjee conducts clinical case studies that shed light on the causal relationship between precarity and mental health. These case studies are interwoven with a rich tapestry of twentieth- and twenty-first-century works of world literature that explore the complex issues of identity, illness, and death at the intersections of class, race, globalization, and migration.

In "Unseen City," Mukherjee makes a compelling argument that a humanistic and imaginative engagement with the psychic lives of the dispossessed is essential for developing an adapted psychoanalysis that can effectively address the unique challenges faced by the poor. She emphasizes the importance of seeking equity of the unconscious, recognizing that the experiences and struggles of the marginalized often go unnoticed and unacknowledged by mainstream psychoanalysis. By doing so, Mukherjee suggests that poverty alleviation can be achieved by addressing the underlying psychological and emotional wounds that contribute to social and economic inequality.

Through her meticulous research and insightful analysis, Mukherjee provides a profound understanding of the complex dynamics that shape the lives of the urban poor. She challenges the dominant narratives that often perpetuate stereotypes and stigmatization of these communities, highlighting the resilience and creativity that exist within them. "Unseen City" is a testament to Mukherjee's commitment to social justice and her unwavering belief in the power of literature and psychoanalysis to shed light on the unseen and marginalized aspects of urban life. This book is a must-read for scholars, activists, and anyone interested in understanding the complexities of poverty, identity, and mental health in the modern world.

Weight: 534g
Dimension: 158 x 235 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781316517581
Edition number: New ed