Research Group Gender, Scripture, and Psychoanalysis

"The Violent Other – the Violent Me", (C) Daniel Domig, 2024

Sacred Texts and Systemic Power: Psychoanalytical Readings of the Sarah-Hagar Paradigm

A Reading Circle exploring how historical experiences of oppression reshape our understanding of biblical domestic conflicts.

Organized by Katerina Koci. If you are interested in participating, please write an email to katerina.koci@univie.ac.at. The reading material will be sent out by the organiser one week before the actual event.

 

Overview

This reading circle examines how different experiences of systemic power influence our interpretation of biblical narratives, with particular attention to domestic spaces and intimate relationships. Through careful reading of the Sarah and Hagar story alongside theoretical works on power, surveillance, and resistance, we will explore how various interpretative frameworks illuminate both ancient texts and contemporary experiences.

 

Format

  • Monthly meetings (2 hours)
  • First hour: Discussion of primary biblical text and traditional interpretations
  • Second hour: Engagement with theoretical readings and contemporary perspectives

 

Proposed Readings

Session 1: Biblical Foundation and Early Reception

Tuesday, January 21, 2025,16:00-18:00, office of the research centre "Religion and Transformation" (Schenkenstraße 8-10, 1010 Vienna, 2nd floor, room 053)

  • Primary text: Genesis 16 and 21 (Sarah and Hagar narratives)
  • Jessica Benjamin’s “The Bonds of Love” (1988) - Chapter on “Recognition and Destruction”
  • J. Cheryl Exum’s “Fragmented Women: Feminist (Sub)versions of Biblical Narratives” (1993) - Chapter on Sarah and Hagar Discussion focus: Initial mapping of power dynamics, introduction to psychoanalytical concepts of recognition and domination

Session 2: Feminist Psychoanalytical Perspectives

Tuesday, February 18, 16:00-18:00, RaT office (Schenkenstraße 8-10, 1010 Vienna, 2nd floor, room 053)

  • Nancy Chodorow’s “The Reproduction of Mothering” (1999) - Selected chapters on female relationships
  • Phyllis Trible’s “Texts of Terror” (1984) - Chapter on Hagar
  • Jessica Benjamin’s “Like Subjects, Love Objects” (1995) - Chapter on “Gender and Domination” Discussion focus: Mother-daughter dynamics, female competition, internalized patriarchal structures

Session 3: Contemporary Literary and Cultural Reception

Tuesday, March 18, 16:00-18:00, office of the research centre "Religion and Transformation" (Schenkenstraße 8-10, 1010 Vienna, 2nd floor, room 053)

  • Alicia Ostriker’s “The Nakedness of the Fathers” (1994) - Sarah-Hagar section
  • Savina Teubal’s “Sarah the Priestess” (1984) - Selected chapters
  • Contemporary literary adaptations (e.g., “The Handmaid‘s Tale” by Margaret Atwood)
  • Discussion focus: Modern interpretations, cultural transformations of the narrative, power dynamics in contemporary readings

Session 4: Power Dynamics in Post-Socialist Contexts

Tuesday, April 15, 16:00-18:00, office of the research centre "Religion and Transformation" (Schenkenstraße 8-10, 1010 Vienna, 2nd floor, room 053)

  • Funk, Nanette. "A Very Tangled Knot: Official State Socialist Women's Organizations, Women's Agency and Feminism in Eastern European State Socialism" (2014)
  • Eva Fodor’s “Working Difference” (2003) - Selected chapters
  • Selected readings from Jiřina Šiklová on women’s relationships in post-socialist contexts
  • Discussion focus: Connecting biblical narrative to contemporary power dynamics, especially in post-socialist contexts