Gender Dynamics and Romantic Love

“A feeling sought by all humans and exalted by all artists, a feeling that has helped shape cultures, societies and individuals since times immemorial, romantic love is a timeless and universal quest. Responding to this everlasting pursuit, this thought-provoking collection aims to provide powerful, in-depth insights into the nature of romantic relationships and to shed light on how gender influences the various manifestations of love, irrespective of time or culture.

From the libertine novels of the 18th century to the poetry of the 20th century, the volume highlights the contrasting, often conflicting ways in which women and men understand affection, tenderness, intimacy and desire. Each paper in this comprehensive collection offers a unique perspective on gender, romantic love, and the unfolding of their intertwining dance. Covering, among others, the satirical plots of François-Antoine Chevrier, the complex relationships in Guy de Maupassant’s stories or the poetic devotion in the writings of Ramón López Velarde, the book provides an unfathomable, sometimes unsettling perspective on the life-transforming experience of love, revealing the profound depths whereby it shapes identities, builds connections and challenges the norms society compels us to adopt.”

ANTONIA CRISTIANA ENACHE