Silvia Federici’s Caliban and the Witch is lauded for its compelling and radical reinterpretation of history, highlighting the link between witch hunts, women's oppression, and capitalism's development. Critics appreciate its depth and feminist perspective, though some find its theoretical density challenging. Overall, the work is influential and thought-provoking.

Readers who would enjoy Caliban and the Witch by Silvia Federici are those interested in feminist theory, Marxist analysis, and historical perspectives on gender and capitalism. Comparable to The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State by Engels and Gender Trouble by Butler, it appeals to scholars of social justice and radical history.

Silvia Federici's Caliban and the Witch explores the European transition from feudalism to capitalism, emphasizing women's roles and witch-hunting within this shift. Using Marxist-feminist theory, Federici argues that the new patriarchal order devalued reproductive work and transformed the body into a machine to be exploited. Resistance to capitalist and colonial oppression is a central theme, highlighting peasant and Indigenous women's struggles against exploitation and witch hunts. The book warns of violence, especially sexual violence.

Informative / Dark / Mysterious / Contemplative / Challenging

- Caliban and the Witch by Silvia Federici has been influential in feminist and Marxist circles for its unique perspective on the transition from feudalism to capitalism, highlighting the persecution of women as a pivotal factor.
- The book draws its title from Shakespeare’s character Caliban in The Tempest, symbolizing the subjugated and exploited labor force during the transition to capitalism.
- Since its publication in 2004, Caliban and the Witch has inspired various academic studies and discussions around the historical role of gender and class being intertwined with economic transformations.

Silvia Federici

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Overview

Get ready to explore Caliban and the Witch and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Caliban and the Witch Summary and Study Guide

Background

Caliban and the Witch Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 1 Caliban and the Witch Chapter 1 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 2 Caliban and the Witch Chapter 2 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 3 Caliban and the Witch Chapter 3 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 4 Caliban and the Witch Chapter 4 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 5 Caliban and the Witch Chapter 5 Summary & Analysis

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Key Figures

Caliban and the Witch Key Figures

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Themes

Caliban and the Witch Themes

Index of Terms

Caliban and the Witch Index of Terms

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Important Quotes

Caliban and the Witch Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

Caliban and the Witch Essay Topics

Caliban and the Witch: Women, the Body and Primitive Accumulation

Before You Read

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Who Should Read Caliban and the Witch?

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