Meeting the Madwoman

This richly evocative study by a Jungian analyst posits the existence of a madwoman archetype. The image appears frequently in women's dreams, according to Leonard ( The Wounded Women: Healing the Father and Daughter Relationship ). And she makes a good case that the madwoman is a messenger, metaphor and model who points the way to women's liberation. The author encourages women to acknowledge their own madwoman in order to transform themselves. She intriguingly redefines many female stereotypes--The Dark Muse, The Recluse, The Bag Lady, The Visionary, The Caged Bird--in relation to her archetype. What is especially interesting here are the examples from famous women, literature, films and Leonard's own patients. The most remarkable include Camille Claudel, Alma Mahler, Maria Callas, Rosa Luxemburg and Rachel Carson--as well as the imaginary Medea, Mrs. Bridges, Blue Angel and Thelma and Louise. Leonard also shows how some of the real women she writes about were influenced by the fictional or mythical women. In this work, she provides a new perspective on how women can break out of culturally imposed roles. (Jan.)