Queer Theory : Brief Discussion & Mythical And Modern View Towards Queer Identity
Introduction : This blog is a response to the thinking activity assigned by my professor Dr Dilip Barad concerning the Queer Criticism as a part of Critical Studies, and is also the part of the series of blog wherein Marxist Criticism, Ecocriticism, Feminist Criticism, and Queer Criticism are dealt with. By clicking the following keywords, you will get redirected to the respective blogs. The thinking activity assigned to the students is to apply the ideas of chosen critical studies in day-to-day T.V. advertisements, serials, shows, songs, movies, poems, novels, etc. in order to practice what we have learnt and acquired under the umbrella of critical as well as cultural studies.
Marxist Criticism, Feminist Criticism, Eco-Criticism.
In this blog, I will be demonstrating the following points :
• Objectives of Queer Criticism :
• Reading Queer References in Ancient to Modern Literary Works :
• LGBTQ Campaign :
Brief Introduction to Queer Criticism :
In the late 1990s, several critics took the opportunity to reflect on the relations between feminism, lesbian studies and queer theory. A spate of articles and edited volumes discussed the conflicts and tensions between these fields: some, like the special issue of the feminist journal differences (1994) entitled ‘Feminism Meets Queer Theory’, were sanguine about the possibilities of rapprochement; others such as Cross-Purposes: Lesbians, Feminists, and the Limits of Alliance (Heller, 1997) emphasised conflict. It had been a strange couple of decades, marked by the unimaginable gains and tremendous losses of revolution. Stonewall, Women's Liberation, lesbian separatism, the porn wars, HIV/AIDS, the ‘invention’ of queer theory, lesbian chic, the emergence of transgender politics – all these events had radically transformed the texture of daily life, creating some unlikely coalitions and forever destroying others. While the pace of change had not slowed much, the scene had shifted significantly. Now, the conflicts that had ripped through these communities were being played out largely in academic venues. The fields of women's studies, gay and lesbian studies and queer studies had established themselves in academic departments to a degree that few had dreamed possible during the grittier and more explosive early years of second-wave feminism and Gay Liberation. Although critics were as divided as ever over longstanding questions about the politics of identity, the uses of theory and the relationship between gender and sexuality, one question cut across these differences: ‘What happened? (Source)
2. Second example of queer reference can be seen in Willa Cather's short story 'Paul's Case' (1905) in which Paul flees his home in Pittsburgh for lavish life in New York, he finds good freedom and enjoy there, but is threatened and commits suicide. His homosexual characteristic is highlighted which was seen as crime in that time.
• LGBTQ Campaign :
Gay rights movement, also called gay liberation movement, civil rights movement that advocates equal rights for LGBTQ persons (i.e., for lesbians, gays [homosexual males], bisexuals, transgender persons, and queer persons); seeks to eliminate sodomy laws; and calls for an end to discrimination against LGBTQ persons in employment, credit, housing, public accommodations, and other areas of life. (Source)
Marxist Criticism, Feminist Criticism, Eco-Criticism.
In this blog, I will be demonstrating the following points :
• Objectives of Queer Criticism :
• Reading Queer References in Ancient to Modern Literary Works :
• LGBTQ Campaign :
Brief Introduction to Queer Criticism :
In the late 1990s, several critics took the opportunity to reflect on the relations between feminism, lesbian studies and queer theory. A spate of articles and edited volumes discussed the conflicts and tensions between these fields: some, like the special issue of the feminist journal differences (1994) entitled ‘Feminism Meets Queer Theory’, were sanguine about the possibilities of rapprochement; others such as Cross-Purposes: Lesbians, Feminists, and the Limits of Alliance (Heller, 1997) emphasised conflict. It had been a strange couple of decades, marked by the unimaginable gains and tremendous losses of revolution. Stonewall, Women's Liberation, lesbian separatism, the porn wars, HIV/AIDS, the ‘invention’ of queer theory, lesbian chic, the emergence of transgender politics – all these events had radically transformed the texture of daily life, creating some unlikely coalitions and forever destroying others. While the pace of change had not slowed much, the scene had shifted significantly. Now, the conflicts that had ripped through these communities were being played out largely in academic venues. The fields of women's studies, gay and lesbian studies and queer studies had established themselves in academic departments to a degree that few had dreamed possible during the grittier and more explosive early years of second-wave feminism and Gay Liberation. Although critics were as divided as ever over longstanding questions about the politics of identity, the uses of theory and the relationship between gender and sexuality, one question cut across these differences: ‘What happened? (Source)
• Objectives of Queer Criticism :
There are chiefly six objectives of Queer Criticism :
(1) Recognizing and highlighting the queer/lesbian literature being written in prevalent time.
(2) Reading mainstream and classic texts with queer/lesbian approach.
(3) Attempting to establish a resistance towards pre-established norms of societal structure in which queer/lesbian identities have not been given place.
(4) Outlining 'Homophobia' of classic and civilized text as well as its deliberate attempt to put queer/lesbian references under carpet.
(5) Putting forth the homosexual references mainly neglected into previous genres.
(6) Laying out text that are centered around masculinity and femininity to gap the indifferent treatment of queer/lesbian place in it.
• Reading Queer References in Ancient to Modern Literary Works :
1. Starting from ancient Indian epics, such as 'Mahabharat,' we find queer reference of Shikhandi who reflects the universal approach of the author. The way Shikhandi is depicted as a tool for defeating Bhishma as Bhishma was a devout celibate and was not allowing himself to stand against his own moral duties as a warrior.
2. Second example of queer reference can be seen in Willa Cather's short story 'Paul's Case' (1905) in which Paul flees his home in Pittsburgh for lavish life in New York, he finds good freedom and enjoy there, but is threatened and commits suicide. His homosexual characteristic is highlighted which was seen as crime in that time.
• LGBTQ Campaign :
Gay rights movement, also called gay liberation movement, civil rights movement that advocates equal rights for LGBTQ persons (i.e., for lesbians, gays [homosexual males], bisexuals, transgender persons, and queer persons); seeks to eliminate sodomy laws; and calls for an end to discrimination against LGBTQ persons in employment, credit, housing, public accommodations, and other areas of life. (Source)
Conclusion : The need to being about the voice of queer community especially in a society where insularities of different kind function in different forms, the cultivation of accepting spirit in whole should be brought forth en masse.
Thank you!
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