Heterotopias-The Title

Heterotopia is not recognized by Microsoft Word as being a word. So the immediate question that arises is: what is a heterotopia? Foucault created the term himself. The answer to that question is answered in the remainder of the essay. But for a short section, there is a tension created in the text. An enigma has arisen, and for as long as it remains unsolved, the text is unstable. The reader must know what is being presented in order to understand. He does not. He strives forward to learn, to resolve this tension, and it must happen quickly, or he may just as easily close the book, or X out the screen, or whatever action he may do to leave the text.

For now there are the connotations that come with the sonics of the word “heterotopia,” without any knowledge of the denotation or grammar (as it is merely a title and not used within a sentence). “Hetero-“ is a common word prefix, meaning “other, different.” It is most commonly used in reference to heterosexuals; that is, people who are sexually attracted to the “other” sex. As the title of the essay (“Of Other Spaces”) suggests, then, “heterotopias” must deal with the “Other.” So already, with knowledge of the title, the reader has an impression of what heterotopias must denote—the other. The other what, is the question.

With the sexual connotation of “hetero,” the reader is intrigued to read more. Not only is the text unstable, it is also arousing. Considering the “paradise” connotation of utopia, a “heterosexual utopia” could very easily be enticing to the average reader. It sure would entice me. So the reader reads on.