Trauma and Sadomasochistic Narrative

Authors

Barbara A. Schapiro, Rhode Island CollegeFollow

Subtitle

Mary Gaitskill's 'The Dentist'

Document Type

Article

Abstract

This essay applies trauma theory and relational psychoanalysis to a close reading of Mary Gaitskill's short story "The Dentist." It argues that the sadomasochistic relationship central to this story, and to much of Gaitskill's fiction, is rooted in trauma and can be illuminated by an understanding of the post-traumatic condition.

Source

Reproduction Of:

Source Data

Mosaic (Winnipeg). 38.2 (June 2005) p37. Word Count: 7005. From Literature Resource Center.

Citation

Schapiro, B. (1987). Trauma and Sadomasochistic Narrative: Mary Gaitskill’s ‘The Dentist’. Mosaic, 38(2), 1987.