In erotomania the delusion hinges on a superior figure loving without being loved

Evidence

Having difficulty separating reality from play, the act from magical behavior, the object from imagination, woman is singularly likely to presentify through her body an absence. What is much less humorous is confusing mysticism with erotomania, as has sometimes been done: the erotomaniac feels glorified by the love of a sovereign being; he is the one who takes the initiative in the love relationship, he loves more passionately than he is loved; he makes his feelings known by clear but secret signs; he is jealous and irritated by the chosen woman’s lack of fervor: he does not hesitate then to punish her; he almost never manifests himself in a carnal and concrete form. All these characteristics are found in mystics; in particular, God cherishes for all eternity the soul he inflames with his love, he shed his blood for her, he prepares splendid apotheoses for her; the only thing she can do is abandon herself to his flames without resistance. — Simone de Beauvoir, The Second Sex, 1902 (#expands, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: The structure of erotomania mirrors the structure of mystical devotion — Simone de Beauvoir, The Second Sex, 1902

Broader Connections

• The structure of erotomania mirrors the structure of mystical devotion #expands (0.85) — Simone de Beauvoir, The Second Sex, 1902