Queer Theories

This essential introductory guide explores and aggressively expands the provocative new field of sexual identity studies. It explains the history of sexual identity categories, such as 'gay' and 'lesbian', covers the reclamation of 'queer' as a term of radical self-identification, and details recent challenges to sexual identity studies posed by transgender and bisexual theories. Donald E. Hall offers concrete applications of the abstract theories he explores, with imaginative new readings of such works as 'The Yellow Wallpaper', Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Orlando and The Color Purple.

Throughout, Hall urges the reader to grapple with the changing nature of sexual identity in the twenty-first century and asks searching questions about how we might identify ourselves differently given new technologies and new possibilities for sexual experimentation. To students, theorists and activists alike, Queer Theories issues a challenge to continue to disrupt narrow, traditional notions of sexual 'normality' and to resist setting up new and confining categories of 'true' sexual identity.

Autorentext

DONALD E. HALL is Professor of English at California State University, Northridge, USA.

Inhalt

General Editor's Preface
Introduction: What 'Queer Theories' Can Do For You
PART ONE: THE SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION OF QUEER THEORIES
A Brief, Slanted History of Homosexual Activity
Who and What is 'Queer'?
Queering Race, Class, Gender, and Sexual Orientation
PART TWO: QUEER READINGS
The Queerness of 'The Yellow Wallpaper'
Queering the Self: Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
Reading for Excess: Orlando , Giovanni's Room , The Color Purple
PART THREE: POST QUEER?
W(h)ither Identity?
Annotated Bibliography
Bibliography
Index.