Rape and Ritual: A Psychological Study

Studies in Jungian Psychology by Jungian Analysts #10

by Bradley A. TePaske

Combines theory, case material, dreams and mythology, penetrating far beyond the deed to the archetypal background of sexual assault. Special attention to homosexuality and male ambivalence toward women.

160 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1982

Reviews

[Citizin.Brain · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was phenomenal. The first third starts with a look at varying accounts of rape, basic psychology of rapist and victim, including criminal statistics and the like, which may be outdated by now. This was somewhat interesting in itself but boring in comparison to the latter two thirds of the book, which was my reason for reading it.

Topics like the Earth Mother, her Terrible Male "satellites" (which reminds me of "toxic masculinity"), ritual maiden sacrifices and finally how rape relates to (primarily masculine) individuation are dealt with. In the course of these topics we are treated to some brief but insightful studies of womanizing criminals like Charles Manson and Eldridge Cleaver, as well as some really interesting, though complicated, analyses of several dreams from one of TePaske's analysands. This was fruitful for me not only in understanding the problem of rape and its meaning in fantasy but also in understanding the broader archetypal dynamics of the masculine and feminine.

[Jabberwocky · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF

This is incredibly unscientific. Like... basically all of it. It spends all of its time selfreferencing psychoanalysis and dissecting mythological accounts of rape. Even that is extremely surface level. I have read book reports on myths that are deeper than this.

This book helped remind me why, despite having a soft spot for Jung, I am unable to respect psychoanalysis as a discipline.

If you actually want to learn something scientific about the what's and why's of rape, with some perspectives on what we can do to change it, read:

"Against our Will. Men, women and Rape" by Susan Brownmillar, or

"Why does he do that? Inside the minds of angry and controlling men", or

"On being Raped" by R.M. Douglas.

None of them are a fun read, but at least you will actually learn something.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly read for a better understanding of male ambivalence towards the focus of the book, in comparison to their female counterparts.

In addition, was interested on the Jungian aspects to see if there was explanation for "Rape Fantasies" particularly in relation to their role within BDSM and Fetish communities.

This book came out in 1982, so while I think it was well-intentioned, and never endorsing or justifying rape--it can be problematic in its use of language.

[JP · Rating 2 out of 5]

Here some book takes a bold topic like rape and explain the real truth behind of such act.
Rape is more of anger and the dent in archetype of male with her relationship with mother.
The anima in male influence such act and more shocking references like rape happens not in the interest of inseminate rather to outrage women.
The strangest of all in most of the cases there is no ejection of semen by male in rape. 
The mythology behind rape was thoroughly discussed but still little dry..

[Mephistopheles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely interesting study that I wish had gone even more in depth. He does an amazing job clearly centering rape as a phenomenon in the psychology of males, firmly denying the deflection that males often engage in (ie: "She was being sexy at me. Therefore she secretly wanted it.") and also centering rape as an externalized psychological phenomenon whereby the man sacrifices his own anima ritualistically. Tragically, rapists are unable to self reflect and see that they are acting out something internal onto the world, that their soul is outside their body, and therefore innocent human women get victimized as the result. He also discussed the polarization of the male psyche into the hostile brothers, and how these warring factions in the ego lead to the sacrificial impulse.

I wish he had gone more in depth in the psychological section and connected it more with real case studies. One was referenced in depth, but more would have been ideal. I'm also not convinced about the archetypal connection between rapists and the dark mother. That section should have been fleshed out more. It's true that rapists often feel themselves to be victimized by dark, feminine forces (ironically as they themselves victimize women) but I cannot see what the archetype of the dark mother would want from this. This clearly seems to be something the dark masculine wants and is motivated by.