Differences that Matter
Feminist Theory and Postmodernism

New theory of relationship between feminism and postmodernism, using close readings of literature, film, ethics.

Sara Ahmed (Author)

9780521597616, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 26 November 1998

232 pages
22.8 x 15.3 x 1.5 cm, 0.38 kg

Differences That Matter challenges existing ways of theorising the relationship between feminism and postmodernism which ask 'is or should feminism be modern or postmodern?' Sara Ahmed suggests that postmodernism has been allowed to dictate feminist debates and calls instead for feminist theorists to speak (back) to postmodernism, rather than simply speak on (their relationship to) it. Such a 'speaking back' involves a refusal to position postmodernism as a generalisable condition of the world and requires closer readings of what postmodernism is actually 'doing' in a variety of disciplinary contexts. Sara Ahmed hence examines constructions of postmodernism in relation to rights, ethics, subjectivity, authorship, meta-fiction and film.

Introduction: speaking back
1. Rights
2. Ethics
3. Woman
4. Subjects
5. Authorship
6. (Meta)fictions
7. Screens
Conclusion: events that move us.

Subject Areas: Feminism & feminist theory [JFFK], History of ideas [JFCX], Literary theory [DSA]