And the specific language we use to cover things up is determined by the people we are trying to hide from. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Eve kosofsky sedgwicks work in between men 1985 and epistemology of the closet 1990 seems to me some of the most enduringly valuable literary criticism of the past few decades. The bloomsbury reader in religion, sexuality and gender brings together, for the first time, the key texts in the field. I think sedgwick is with me on this one, considering that she positions this book as taking as a given that the entirety of western culture cannot be fully understood without interrogating the contexts and structures behind. Mar 11, 20 eve kosofsky sedgwick epistemology of the closet. Is mens desire for other men the great preservative ofthe masculinist hierarchies ofwestern culture, or is it among the most potent ofthe threats against them. The bloomsbury reader in religion, sexuality, and gender. Epistemology of the closet is a book published in by eve kosofsky sedgwick.
Epistemology of the closet eve kosofsky sedgwick download. Since the late 1980s, queer studies and theory have become vital to the intellectual and political life of the united states. Not to say thats shes not a fabulous theorist, but that i just dont know enough and i think it will be rather nice to move into that sphere of her work having had the opportunity to get to know her through. If that seems like a surprising statement in a work of theory, thats just the point. Epistemology of the closet um library digital collections. The book bridges the gap between theory and practice by analyzing homoerotic relationships in literary and philosophical history, thereby calling social and political attention to a systemically marginalized group. Working from classic texts of european and american writersincluding melville, james, nietzsche, proust, and wilde sedgwick analyzes a. But it was the introduction to sedgwicks epistemology of the closet, titled axiomatic, that i. Then at university i came across a clutch of books, including judith butlers gender trouble and eve kosofsky sedgwicks epistemology of the closet, of the key texts of queer theory.
This text will shatter the framework through which you think about life. See, what we do talk about gives other people clues about what skeletons were hiding in our closets. Epistemology of the closet proves that modern sexual contradictions lead to modern misunderstandings, that language is a deeply relevant force behind sexuality, and that labeled speech acts are ultimately the proof of the nature of ones sexuality. Eve sedgwick presents her 1998 kessler award lecture entitled a dialogue on love. Jun 16, 20 eve kosofsky sedgwick s epistemology of the closet is often approached as one of the most groundbreaking discussions within the study of queer theory.
Axiomatic by eve kosofsky sedgwick by prezi user on prezi. View sedgwick evekosofsky epistemologycloset from acc 302 at knox college. And the specific language we use to cover things up is determined by. Epistemology of the closet, updated with a new preface by. Eve kosofsky sedgwickepistemology of the closet 1990. Axiomatic to epistemology of the closet is simply wondrously that people are different from each other 22. Epistemology of the closct eve kosofsky sedgwick, p. Eve kosofsky sedgwick, axiomatic, from the introduction to epistemology of the closet 1990, in the cultural studies reader, second edition, ed. Epistemology of the closet by eve sedgwick 1990 according to eve sedgwick, the closet isnt so secret after all. In her introduction to the text, sedgwick treats the topic of homosexual panic as a way of introducing the main themes of the book. Jan 17, 2008 epistemology of the closet, updated with a new preface by eve kosofsky sedgwick, 9780520254060, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide.
Nov 04, 2012 eve kosofsky sedgwick s work in between men 1985 and epistemology of the closet 1990 seems to me some of the most enduringly valuable literary criticism of the past few decades. In the epistemology of the closet article, sedgwick deconstruct the being inbeing out of the closet binarism. Beyond the closet as raceless paradigmwhite queer theory white males have status as white middle class to be figurehead of queer movement closet needs to be reconsidered to have pure idea of same sex love and history due to diff backgrounds, ethnicities, races, and genders. Dec, 2019 epistemology of the closet is a book published in by eve kosofsky sedgwick, who is considered one of the founders of queer studies.
The epistemology of the closet by eve kosofsky sedgwick was published in 1990 and is considered a foundational work in the discipline of queer studies. Epistemology of the closet rev 08 by sedgwick, eve. Axiomatic from sedgwicks epistemology of the closet a number of times, this book was my first big dose of herand frankly, im glad i began here. Axiomatic groundings of understanding sexuality and gender. Sedgwickevekosofskyepistemologycloset epistemology of. Eve kosofsky sedgwick s epistemology of the closet is often approached as one of the most groundbreaking discussions within the study of queer theory. She combines an extraordinarily astute philosophical mind with a resilient attachment to the messiness of ordinary life, a sense of how permeated by and yet how. Eve kosofsky sedgwick axiomatic from the introduction to. Affect, pedagogy, performativity but it was the introduction to sedgwicks epistemology of the closet, titled axiomatic, that i devoured in one sitting. Which is to say that sedwick tackles the subject matter that she admits is highly problematic with a highly dense text that is resistant to a simple reading as said subject matter. Eve kosofsky sedgwick since the late 1980s, queer studies and theory have become vital to the intellectual and political life of the united states. Courtenay, constructions of masculinity and their influence on mens wellbeing.
Epistemology of the closet is nonfiction book by eve kosofsky sedgwick, and is considered one of the most important and influential works in lgbtq studies. James and the writing of homosexual panic proust and the spectacle of the closet. Sedgwick s two binaries sedgwick introduces these binaries on p. This has been due, in no small degree, to the influence of eve kosofsky. Fairly early on sedgwick characterizes this project, in lieu of a warning of sorts, as not pellucid. Epistemology of the closet book by eve kosofsky sedgwick. Other readers will always be interested in your opinion of the books youve read. Axiomatic from sedgwick s epistemology of the closet a number of times, this book was my first big dose of herand frankly, im glad i began here. In epistemology of the closet, sedgwick argues that virtually any aspect of modern western culture, must be, not merely incomplete, but damaged in its central substance to the degree that it does not incorporate a critical analysis of modern homoheterosexual definition. Working from classic texts of european and american writersincluding melville, james, nietzsche, proust, and wildesedgwick analyzes a turnofthecentury historical moment in which sexual orientation became as important a demarcation of personhood as. Oct 15, 2019 epistemology of the closet is a book published in by eve kosofsky sedgwick, who is considered one of the founders of queer studies.
Combining philosophical, legal, literary, and historical approaches towards queerness and human sexuality. Designed as a textbook for use in a classroom setting, it offers thoughtprovoking selections of some of the most compelling and timely readings available today. Jan 17, 2008 since the late 1980s, queer studies and theory have become vital to the intellectual and political life of the united states. In that same decade, the gay and lesbian rights movement redoubled its efforts and academic explorations of minority sexualities burgeoned. Epistemology of the closet is a book published in 1990 by eve kosofsky sedgwick, who is considered one of the founders of queer studies. Eve kosofsky sedgwick in her preface to this updated edition sedgwick places the book both personally and historically, looking specifically at the horror of the first wave of the aids epidemic and its influence on the. Sedgwick notes in the 2008 preface to epistemology of the closet that it was written in light of the 1986 bowers v. Chronologically, this book begins where the former one closed, at the end of. Axiomatic the differences between chromosomal sex and gender rubins sexgender system chromosomal sex a. Eve kosofsky sedgwick and judith butler showed me the.
Apr 24, 2018 eve sedgwick presents her 1998 kessler award lecture entitled a dialogue on love. The language usage and labeling itself is a major theme and common occurrence in epistemology of the closet. Epistemology of the closet is a book published in by eve kosofsky sedgwick, who is considered one of the founders of queer studies. Sedgwick argued that an understanding of virtually any aspect of modern western culture would be incomplete or damaged if it failed to incorporate a critical analysis of modern homoheterosexual. Not to say thats shes not a fabulous theorist, but that i just dont know enough and i think it will be rather nice to move into that sphere of her work having. The books contains several queer readings of literature, but it is the introduction and the title essay which are most famous. This strand of critical thinking emerged in the late 80s and early 90s. She reminds the reader that homosexual panic, or kempfs disease, was coined in the 1920s by psychologist edward kempf and described hysteria attributable to perverse sexual cravings in oneself or another. May 2, 1950 april 12, 2009 was an american academic scholar in the fields of gender studies, queer theory queer studies, and critical theory. Combining philosophical, legal, literary, and historical approaches towards queerness and human sexuality, sedgwick s text is focused on the destruction of the dichotomous divides used to discuss and categorize expressions and epistemologies.
I read recently that many believe that homophobia is a fear that the homophobe himself may be gay that is probably true, and is by no means a new idea. Eve kosofsky sedgwickepistemology of the closet 1990 along with michel foucaults 1976 history of sexuality volume 1 and judith butlers 1990 gender trouble, sedgwicks 1990 epistemology of the closet is considered one of the key texts of queer theory. Eve kosofsky sedgwick epistemology of the closet a. Epistemology of the closet, published in 1990 in the midst of the aids epidemic, is a seminal work of queer studies by intellectual and activist eve sedgwick. Epistemology of the closet introductionchapter 3 summary. Jul 30, 2019 epistemology of the closet is a book published in by eve kosofsky sedgwick, who is considered one of the founders of queer studies. According to sedgwick, the homoheterosexual definition has become so tediously argued over because of a lasting incoherence. Now, in epistemology of the closet, sedgwick continues her investigation. To read and reread sedgwick s epistemology of the closet is a rewarding experience.
Sedgwick s style may be ornate and sometimes difficult, but potential readers should be aware the the introduction to the book is a model of clarity. Jun 21, 2012 sedgwick notes in the 2008 preface to epistemology of the closet that it was written in light of the 1986 bowers v. Epistemology of the closet proposes that many of the major nodes of thought and knowledge. Buy a discounted paperback of epistemology of the closet, updated with a new preface online from australias leading online bookstore. Even when one is familiar with these writers, it is fascinating to study their works with the perspective of closet.
Axiomatic epistemology of the closet propose tha manst oyf the majo noder osf thought and knowledg ien twentiethcentur westery culturn aes a whole are structure indeedd, fracture bdy a chronic no, w endemi crisic osf homoheterosexual definition indicativel, male datiny, frog m th ene d. Booktopia has epistemology of the closet, updated with a new preface by eve kosofsky sedgwick. Aug 22, 20 eve kosofsky sedgwick and judith butler showed me the transformative power of the word queer. Epistemology of the closet by eve kosofsky sedgwick. Shecomparesa minoritizingview of real homosexuals and a universalizing assumptionofa homosocialsociety. Axiomatic epistemology of the closet some binarisms i. The book bridges the gap between theory and practice by analyzing homoerotic relationships in literary and philosophical history, thereby calling social and political attention to a. Eve kosofsky sedgwickepistemology of the closet anonymous october 28, at 6. It looks into the very physiognomy of closet, and assays the work of some great authors such as proust, joyce, lawrence, and wilde. This has been due, in no small degree, to the influence of eve kosofsky sedgwick s critically acclaimed epistemology of the closet. Sedgwick s use of queer theory exposes the underlying meanings behind the oppositions and. These citations may not conform precisely to your selected citation style.
Eve kosofsky sedgwick archive epistemology of the closet. Sedgwicks use of queer theory exposes the underlying meanings behind the oppositions and. Chapters 1 and 5 appeared as epistemology of the closet i and it in. This is a very accurate assessment, both in terms of content and regarding the form of epistemology of the closet. Wilde, nietzsche, and the sentimental relations of the male body the beast in the closet. Epistemology of the closet proposes that many of the major nodes of thought and knowledge in twentiethcentury western culture as a. Hardwick supreme court decision, which upheld a georgia sodomy law. According to eve sedgwick, the closet isnt so secret after all. That intro presents axioms for thinking about sexuality that are lucid and have had an enormous influence on the. See eve kosofsky sedgwick, epistemology of the closet 1990. What hindrances does the born this way argument have on people who dont have that experience. This has been due, in no small degree, to the influence of eve kosofsky sedgwicks critically acclaimed epistemology of the closet. The closet, ive known since right around the time i left it, is damaging to straight people as much as it is gay people. Eve sedgwick elaborates some deceptively simple axioms from which gay and lesbian.
Sedgwick argues that limiting sexuality to homosexuality or heterosexuality, in a structured binary. But it was the introduction to sedgwicks epistemology of the closet, titled axiomatic, that i devoured in one sitting. In epistemology of the closet, sedgwick continues to break new ground in her explorations of male homosocial desire. Whether youve loved the book or not, if you give your honest and detailed thoughts then people will find new books that are right for them. Sedgwicks discussion of the contradiction between a universalizing and minoritizing view of a homohetero definition relates to the contradiction in the lesbiangay movements shift from the liberation movement to the later ethnic model that we read about in jagose.
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