Deadly Desires

Julie Lokis-Adkins, PhD, is originally from Seattle but relocated to London to pursue her Master's Degree and Doctorate in French and Psychoanalytical Studies. After finishing her postgraduate work at the University of London, Dr Lokis-Adkins completed her clinical degree in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy at the renowned Tavistock Centre where she specialised in working with individuals and couples. Dr Lokis-Adkins currently resides and practices in the United States.

Preface , Introduction , Historical Background , Widowhood and nineteenth-century culture , Rachilde, widowhood, and the fin-de-siècle , Sex, gender, and perversion in the Decadent text , Monsieur Vénus , The construction of decorative fantasy: premarital desire , Monstrous sexualities , The eroticism of death , La Marquise De Sade , The birth of a female sadomasochist , The foundations of masochism , The dawn of sadism , Marriage: autonomy or imprisonment? , Widowhood: self-imposed or inescapable fate? , La Jongleuse , Black and white: vulnerability or a sign of power? , Performing autonomy: the widowed woman as fantasy , The whore’s dress: blatant display of female sexuality , Final masquerade: birth of sexual freedom in death , Conclusion