This collection investigates the intersection of Luce Irigaray’s feminist philosophy with the texts, social structures, and gender dynamics of premodern culture. The editors, Elizabeth D. Harvey and Theresa Krier, assemble a series of scholarly essays that apply Irigaray’s theories on sexual difference, language, and the feminine to historical periods ranging from the medieval to the early modern. By re-examining canonical and non-canonical works through this specific theoretical lens, the contributors argue that premodern texts offer unique insights into the construction of gendered subjectivity and the limitations of patriarchal discourse.

Scholars in the fields of gender studies and medieval literature frequently cite this volume as a significant attempt to bridge the gap between contemporary feminist theory and historical analysis. Experts note that the text provides a rigorous framework for students and researchers looking to apply post-structuralist critiques to pre-Enlightenment materials.