Summary of Michel Foucault's The History of Sexuality

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Sample Book Insights: #1 The Victorian era was a time of sexual repression, and the image of the imperial prude is emblazoned on our restrained, mute, and hypocritical sexuality. The Victorian regime supported a Victorian regime. #2 Repression is the characteristic feature of Victorian society, which distinguishes it from the prohibitions maintained by penal law. Repression is the practice of making something disappear by driving it out, denying it, and silence it. #3 We are told that modern sexual repression is the result of a long history of repression, dating back to the classical age. The history of sex is transposed into the history of the modes of production, and its minor aspect is ignored. #4 The speaker’s benefit of speaking about sex in terms of repression is that it allows them to transgress the law and speak about it, which gives them a sense of freedom.