Venus In Furs Analysis

Krafft-Ebing, a renowned sexologist, published Psychopathia Sexualis in 1886 with the intention of creating a textbook that would enlighten the field of sexology. Over the course of many years, Krafft-Ebing rewrote and reworked Pychopathia Sexualis, each edition containing more case-studies and more arguments than the previous one. One of the reoccurring subjects of interest for Krafft-Ebing was masochism, which he defines as “the wish to suffer pain and be subjected to force.” (Psychopathia Sexualis p. 86) Although the term masochism was coined by Krafft-Ebing, he acknowledges it stemming from the author Sacher-Masoch. Sacher-Masoch’s famous novella Venus in Furs, a story about a masochist’s journey through the fulfillment of his fantasy, was one of the first times the subject of masochism was broached in public. Interestingly, upon the analysis of both these texts, it becomes clear that Krafft-Ebing’s writing lacks the understanding that love plays a large role in the fantasy of masochism. Wanda, the main female character in Venus in Furs, is a …show more content…
Venus is Furs highlights that the concept of love is an intrinsic part of masochism that is lacking in Psychopathia Sexualis. Krafft-Ebing presents masochism as being centered around the masochist himself, not in terms of wanting to raise the status of the woman the masochist loves. This is highlighted on many occasions. One patient would have to tell the stories of his fantasies to pretty girls in order to ejaculate, while another patient would visit brothels to be beaten. In both these cases, as well as others, it is clear that the fantasy is about the pain and humiliation. Severin, in Venus in Furs, shows the reader otherwise. He displays his love or infatuation for Wanda by wanting to realize his innate fantasies, with her; Wanda, and Severin’s love for her are the catalysis for his