I.My paper takes a look at Julavits uses of psychoanalysis in The Uses of Enchantment. In my paper I talk about what psychoanalysis is and how Julavits incorporated this concept into her book and especially psychoanalysis in therapy. My paper thoroughly discusses how therapy is not so much about the therapy itself, but rather the therapist’s interpretations of the patient. All of this also has to do with Freud and his case study on Dora, and how this greatly helped to influence the book.
II.
Sources Used:
Heidi Julavits- The Uses of EnchantmentPassages:
1) Notes Chapter- Mary & Dr. Hammer talking about Dora Case- Page 103
2) Notes Chapter- Mary & Dr. Hammer, when Mary breaks down and is about to tell Dr. Hammer the truth- Page 291
3) Notes Chapter- Dr. Hammer’s decision to publish Miriam- Page 246
4) Notes Chapter- When Mary talks to Dr. Hammer about being kissed by Kurt- Page 128
Heidi Julavits Interviews:
Conducted by Angela Stubb & Conducted by V. Birnbaum
Other Sources:
An Elementary Textbook of Psychoanalysis By :Charles Brenner
Dora An Analysis of a Case of Hysteria By: Sigmund Freud
Steven Marcus’ “Freud and Dora: Story, History, and Case Study”
Reuben Fine’s A History of Psychoanalysis
David Sachs’ Reflections on Freud’s Dora Case After 48 Years
III. Most important passages to my argument are with Dr. Hammer and Mary on pages 246 & 291. On Page 246 this is when Mary tries to tell Dr. Hammer the truth about what really happened, and he denies her. He really does not want to know the truth, he wants to believe his version of what has happened. This is the closest anyone has ever coming to hearing the truth, and he rejects it.
On pages 291 in a long paragraph this is when we get Dr. Hammer’s final thoughts before publishing Miriam. In this paragraph he talks about how he know what Mary might in fact be telling the truth and he realizes that what he’s about to publish could be completely false. In this pargraph it also allows us to see how selfish he really is. He states that this will give him the success he failed with in the Bettina Spencer case, we see his real desire. He does not care so much about Mary, as he does his own success.
*Both of these relate back to the fact that these therapy sessions were not as much about what Mary was saying, as they were about Dr. Hammer’s interpretations. This is the same as the case of Dora and Freud and proves my theory about how these two are connected and how it really comes down to the therapist’s interpretations.*
IV. I believe that my point and argument is helpful to people who have read The Uses of Enchantment. When I read this book sometimes it was very difficult for me to understand what was going on and what Julavits was referring to. However, after learning about psychoanalysis and Freud’s case study on Dora, I feel like it is much easier to understand the book. I feel as if to truly understand the book, as a reader it will help greatly to know the Dora case and what psychoanalysis is, because the book is greatly based upon this subject. I am really glad I chose this topic, because I have learned a number of things associated with these topics that I did not know before. I feel like anyone who has read or is reading this book will find this information extremely helpful.
