Reading, Writing, and Rewriting the Prostitute Body

Traces the evolution of the prostitute as "other."

Shows how the flesh-and-blood female body engaged in sexual interaction for payment has no inherent meaning and is signified differently in different cultures or discourses. This book traces evolution of the prostitute as "other." It shows how the roles of "whore" and "madonna" are ultimately dissolved and unified in prostitute performance art.In this volume, Shannon Bell recovers the courtesan of ancient Greece as both sophistic philosopher and erotic teacher.