In this fascinating interdisciplinary volume, Elina Reenkola delves deep into the complex psychological landscape of female identity, exploring fundamental questions about femininity through the lens of psychoanalysis, mythology and literary analysis.

Drawing from classical myths like Medea and modern tales like The Little Mermaid, Reenkola examines the intricate dynamics of maternal ambivalence, female shame, envy and the mother–daughter relationship. Through rich clinical vignettes and thoughtful analysis, this book illuminates previously unexplored aspects of female psychology, including the impact of pregnancy on the psyche, the necessity of symbolic matricide for feminine development and the complexities of fantasies. Readers will gain profound insights into the multifaceted nature of female identity, maternal power and the psychological implications of women's reproductive capabilities.

This volume is ideal for psychologists, psychoanalysts, and mental health professionals, as well as students and scholars in the behavioural sciences and humanities. The book's unique integration of psychological theory with mythological and literary analysis makes it valuable for anyone interested in understanding the depths of female psychology and identity formation.

Elina Reenkola is a psychologist and training and supervising psychoanalyst of the Finnish Psychoanalytic Society in Helsinki, Finland.