Natalie Purcell - Violence and the Pornographic Imaginary: The Politics of Sex, Gender, and Aggression in Hardcore Pornography

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Violence and the Pornographic Imaginary
The Politics of Sex, Gender, and Aggression in Hardcore
Pornography Natalie Purcell

First published 2012
by Routledge
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Simultaneously published in the UK
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Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business

2012 Natalie Purcell

The right of Natalie Purcell to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.

Trademark Notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Purcell, Natalie J.
Violence and the pornographic imaginary : the politics of sex, gender, and aggression in pornographic fantasy / by Natalie J. Purcell.
p. cm.(Routledge research in cultural and media studies ; 42)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
1. Pornographic filmsHistory and criticism. 2. Violence in motion pictures. 3. Fantasy in motion pictures. 4. Women in motion pictures.
5. Sex in motion pictures. 6. Feminism and motion pictures.
I. Title.
PN1995.9.S45P77 2012
791.436538dc23
2011053501

ISBN: 978-0-415-52312-7 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-0-203-11034-8 (ebk)

Typeset in Sabon
by IBT Global.

To feminism and feminists in all their diversity;
my writing is a labor of their love as much as mine.

I wrote this book as a graduate student at the University of California, Santa Cruz, where I was nurtured by a vibrant community of scholars, activists, and friends. Each step of the way, I benefited from their intellectual provocations, rich methodologies, tough questions, and tougher political commitments. For their consistent support, I am especially thankful to the faculty, graduate students, and administrators at the UCSC Department of Sociology.

My deepest gratitude belongs to the patient, committed professors who served on my doctoral dissertation committee: Candace West, Jenny Reardon, Karen Barad, Marshall Leicester, and Andrew Szasz. Many students have dissertation advisors who expect the world of them and set the highest standards. Others have advisors who support, encourage, and inspire them. I had an advisor who did all of this and more. Candace West guided me through five years of graduate school with skill, compassion, and grace. She has been the most dedicated and generous mentor a doctoral student could hope for. The lessons she taught me will last a lifetime, and I can offer only my gratitude in return.

I am also deeply indebted to the UCSC Feminism and Pornography Research Cluster, including Marshall Leicester, Lydia Osolinsky, Allison Day, Katie Kanagawa, Nichole Zlatunich, Lulu Meza, Candace West, Jen Gray-O'Connor, Jin You, and the many feminist activists who came to speak with our group (among them, Diana Russell, Ann Simonton, Susie Bright, Annie Sprinkle, Carol Leigh, and Carol Queen). Our meetingsincluding sometimes-awkward viewing sessions; rich conversations; and open, honest disclosurescreated a space where we could learn from the feminist sex wars without recreating the same battle lines.