Queer Theory

QUEER
THEORY
Prepared by: Acasio, J; Generan, Macul, Temon

Sub-topics
01 What is Queer?
05 Key Points
02
What is Queer
Theory? 06 Main Ideas
Queer
03
Important Details
About its History 07 Representation
04 History Timeline
08 Literary Criticism
What is Queer?
synonym for “homosexual” or “gay”

What is Queer Theory?
 An interdisciplinary field that explores the ways in which gender

and sexuality are constructed through language, culture, and
history.
 The institutionalization of some forms and expressions of
sexuality and gender while stigmatizing others.
 The rise and acceptance of Gay and Lesbian (now LGBT or
Queer).
What is Queer Theory in
Literary Criticism?
 Has been used to analyze a wide range of texts, from classic

literature to popular culture.
 Challenges traditional notions of gender and sexuality, and
provides a platform for marginalized voices to be heard.
HISTORY: Queer Theory
o Emergence: Queer theory emerged in the late 1980s and early 1990s as
a critical response to the limitations of traditional gay and lesbian studies.
o Influences: Queer theory was influenced by post-structuralist and

postmodernist thinkers such as Michel Foucault, Jacques Derrida, and
Gilles Deleuze, as well as feminist and critical race theorists.
o Key Figures: Some of the key figures in the development of queer theory
include Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick, Judith Butler, Gayle Rubin, and Michel
Foucault.
HISTORY : Queer Theory
o Concepts: Queer theory introduced new concepts such as gender

performativity, the social construction of sexuality, and the destabilization
of fixed categories of gender and sexuality.
o Diversity: Queer theory emphasizes the diversity and complexity of

human experience and seeks to create space for non-normative identities
and experiences.
HISTORY : Queer Theory
o Activism: Queer theory has been closely linked to political and social
activism and has played an important role in the struggle for LGBT rights
and social justice.
o Criticisms: Queer theory has been criticized for being too abstract and
detached from the experiences of marginalized communities, and for its
lack of attention to issues of race, class, and colonialism.
HISTORY
Judith Butler
 is one of the most influential thinkers in the
development of queer theory. Her work on
gender performativity has been particularly
important in shaping the theoretical
framework of queer theory.
 "Gender Trouble" (1990)
History Timeline
Three Essays on the Theory of Sexuality (1905)
by Sigmund Freud
Freud argued that every human was at least somewhat bisexual. He

also believed that sex impacted people's lives from birth to death.
 The Sexual Aberrations

 Infantile Sexuality
 The Transformation of Puberty
History Timeline
The History of Sexuality (1976)
by Michel Foucault
• Foucault engages in a wide-ranging analysis of human sexuality. He

explores the immense repression of sexuality in Western society that lasted
until very recently.
• Foucault writes of the impact power has on sexuality. Despite the recent
moves made by the LGBTQ+ community in the 1960s and 1970s, powerful
institutions still had much control over them via government and media.
• From the 1960s onwards, LGBTQ+ people had begun to organize and
fight for their rights across the world.
History Timeline
Butler, Sedgwick, Rich, and 1990s queer theory
Queer theory as a discipline expanded significantly in the

1990s.
Theorists like Butler, Sedgwick, and Rich deconstructed and
challenged traditional notions of gender identity and sexuality.
Key Points
Heteronormativity
 the belief that heterosexuality is the only normal and natural form
of sexuality, and that other forms of sexuality are abnormal or
deviant.
Key Points
Performativity
 the idea that gender and sexuality are not fixed identities but are
instead performative acts that are created and sustained through
language, gesture, and other cultural practices.
Key Points
Intersectionality
 the understanding that different forms of identity, such as race,

class, and gender, intersect and interact with each other in complex
ways, shaping experiences of oppression and privilege.
 Coined Kimberlé Crenshaw

Main Ideas
1. Questioning Established Norms
Queer theory challenges stereotypical ideas that

everyone is cisgender and heterosexual.
Main Ideas
2. Stereotypes as Social Constructs
Most queer theorists argue that traditional conceptions

of sexuality and gender are socially constructed.
Main Ideas
3. Critiquing Powerful Institutions
Another important tenant of queer theory is dismantling

hierarchies.
Main Ideas
4. Exploration of LGBTQ+ Life
Queer theory also sheds light on the often untold

stories and experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals.
Main Ideas
5. Challenging Binaries
Queer theory deconstructs traditional binaries that are

placed upon sexuality and gender by society.
Queer Representation
Negative Representation
Sob Stories
Token Representation
Idealistic Representation
Queerbaiting
Retroactive Representation
Literary Criticism
Queer Readings of Canonical Texts
Scholars have used queer theory to re-examine classic texts from a

queer perspective, highlighting previously overlooked queer themes
and subtexts.
Example: The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen

Literary Criticism
• A Queer Allegory, specifically with

Andersen’s feelings towards Edvard Collin
• The absurdity of a mermaid falling in love

with the human prince.
• The conditions set by the sea witch

mirrors queer struggles.
• The dominant theme of Unrequited Love.

Literary Criticism
Queer Authorship and Identity
Scholars have used queer theory to re-examine classic texts from a

queer perspective, highlighting previously overlooked queer themes
and subtexts.
Examples: We’ve Always Been Here by Samra Habib, Ophelia After

All by Racquel Marie and Heartstopper by Alice Oseman
Literary Criticism
• The author’s personal journey of self-

discovery.
• Telling the stories of underrepresented

Queer Muslims.
Literary Criticism
• Deals with the discovery of

one’s identity and also
deals with their confusion,
fears, and struggles.
Literary Criticism
Queer Literature as Resistance
Scholars have explored how queer literature has been used as a

tool for resistance against heteronormative and oppressive cultural
norms.
Examples: Prayers for Bobby by Leroy Aarons, and Melissa

(George) by Alex Gino
Literary Criticism
• The negative perception of queer

people by society led to the self-
loathing and death of Bobby.
• The story of a mother deconstructing

this false and crooked idea.
Literary Criticism
• The story of a transgender girl and her

struggles of becoming who she truly is.
• A book the author wrote as it is the book

she wanted to read when she was young.
Thank You!
End of Report

Queer Theory

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Queer Theory

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Queer Theory

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

QUEER

Prepared by: Acasio, J; Generan, Macul, Temon

synonym for “homosexual” or “gay”

 An interdisciplinary field that explores the ways in which gender

 Has been used to analyze a wide range of texts, from classic

o Influences: Queer theory was influenced by post-structuralist and

o Concepts: Queer theory introduced new concepts such as gender

o Diversity: Queer theory emphasizes the diversity and complexity of

Freud argued that every human was at least somewhat bisexual. He

 The Sexual Aberrations

• Foucault engages in a wide-ranging analysis of human sexuality. He

Butler, Sedgwick, Rich, and 1990s queer theory

Queer theory as a discipline expanded significantly in the

 the understanding that different forms of identity, such as race,

 Coined Kimberlé Crenshaw

1. Questioning Established Norms

Queer theory challenges stereotypical ideas that

2. Stereotypes as Social Constructs

Most queer theorists argue that traditional conceptions

3. Critiquing Powerful Institutions

Another important tenant of queer theory is dismantling

4. Exploration of LGBTQ+ Life

Queer theory also sheds light on the often untold

Queer theory deconstructs traditional binaries that are

Queer Readings of Canonical Texts

Scholars have used queer theory to re-examine classic texts from a

Example: The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen

• A Queer Allegory, specifically with

• The absurdity of a mermaid falling in love

• The conditions set by the sea witch

• The dominant theme of Unrequited Love.

Queer Authorship and Identity

Scholars have used queer theory to re-examine classic texts from a

Examples: We’ve Always Been Here by Samra Habib, Ophelia After

• The author’s personal journey of self-

• Telling the stories of underrepresented

• Deals with the discovery of

Queer Literature as Resistance

Scholars have explored how queer literature has been used as a

Examples: Prayers for Bobby by Leroy Aarons, and Melissa

• The negative perception of queer

• The story of a mother deconstructing

• The story of a transgender girl and her

• A book the author wrote as it is the book

You might also like