Current projects: The Emergence of European Modernism 1870-1914, Feminist Theory and Women Writers

Toril Moi is particularly interested in questions arising in areas where literature and philosophy overlap. Her central research and teaching interest has always been feminist theory and women’s writing. But Toril Moi also has extensive research interests in literary theory and aesthetics broadly defined, and in 19th and 20th century European literature. In addition to feminist theory, she is particularly interested in psychoanalytic theory, French phenomenology (Sartre, Beauvoir, Merleau-Ponty), and ordinary language philosophy (Wittgenstein, Austin, Cavell). Her recent research and teaching focuses on three major areas: sexuality, sex, gender and the body with a particular emphasis on Simone de Beauvoir; ordinary language philosophy with a particular emphasis on Stanley Cavell; and theater and theatricality with a particular emphasis on Henrik Ibsen. Her books include Sexual/Textual Politics: Feminist Literary Theory (1985; 2nd edition 2002), Simone de Beauvoir: The Making of an Intellectual Woman (1994); and What Is a Woman? And Other Essays (1999). She is the editor of The Kristeva Reader (1986), and of French Feminist Thought (1987).

Her new book, Henrik Ibsen and the Birth of Modernism: Art, Theater, Philosophy, was published by Oxford University Press in September 2006. Ibsens modernisme, the Norwegian translation by Agnete Øye, was published by Pax Forlag in Oslo in May 2006. The book won the MLA's Aldo and Jeanne Scaglione Prize for the best book in Comparative Literary Studies in 2007.

In spring 2008, the 2nd edition of her book Simone de Beauvoir: The Making of an Intellectual Woman (with a major new introductory chapter) will be published by Oxford University Press.

Toril Moi is now working on two projects: (1) The Emergence of European Modernism 1870-1914 and (2) Feminist Theory and Women Writers.