Feminism and Queer Studies

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This blog is part of our study. This Thinking activity is based on Feminism and Queer Studies and was assigned by Dr. Dilip Barad sir Department of English MKBU.

Feminism

Feminist literary criticism stands as a transformative lens that dissects the intricate relationship between literature, culture, and the status of women. Rooted in the belief in social, political, and economic equality of the sexes, feminism in literary analysis has evolved through distinct waves, revealing the historical struggle for women's rights and cultural recognition.

Historical Foundations:

The roots of feminist literary criticism trace back to the 19th century, marked by pivotal texts such as Mary Wollstonecraft’s "A Vindication of the Rights of Woman" (1792) and John Stuart Mill’s "The Subjection of Women" (1869). These works laid the groundwork for the feminist movement, advocating for women’s cultural roles, achievements, and political rights.

Waves of Feminism:

Feminism is delineated through four waves. 

• The first wave, in the 19th and early 20th centuries, fought for women's right to vote. 
• The second wave, emerging in the 1960s, focused on the women's liberation movement and campaigned for legal and social equality. 
• The third wave, around 1992, shifted towards individuality and diversity.
• The fourth wave, beginning around 2012, utilizes social media to combat sexual harassment, violence against women, and rape culture, epitomized by the Me Too movement.

Evolution of Feminist Thought:

Feminist literary criticism evolved significantly after Virginia Woolf's call for women's education and rights in the early 20th century. The mid-20th century saw a radical shift with Simone de Beauvoir’s "The Second Sex" (1949), critiquing the cultural identification of women as the negative "Other" to man's dominating "Subject."

Examples:-

There is the best example, I found is the serial Anupamaa. Number one show on television and mostly it's liked by women. Which protagonist or leading female character Anupama is the ideal woman who can do anything for the sake of family and children. So she is like an ideal mother, daughter-in-law, daughter, and wife. In the serial, we find that when she tries and demands to do what she wants to do family members and others start to blame her by saying that she is not a good woman. She also constantly makes efforts to make her family happy and perfect. 

Here, is the second example from the Movie Pink. "Pink" is a feminist film that confronts societal attitudes, challenges stereotypes, and advocates for women's rights. Its impact extends beyond the screen, inspiring discussions and contributing to the ongoing dialogue about gender equality in Indian society. The film aligns with feminist principles by addressing pertinent issues and encouraging a reevaluation of societal norms related to women.

Queer Studies

Queer theory emerged during the early 1990s as an effort to think through the politics of sexuality and gender in light of major developments in feminist theory, LGBT studies, and poststructuralism during the previous twenty years. Queer theorists began with the empirical observation that definitions of proper and improper sexual and gender identity have varied significantly over time and space and that such definitions have played major roles in the politics—the distribution and exercise of power—of Western and non-Western cultures.

 

Emerging in the early 1990s from the realms of queer studies and women’s studies, Queer Theory represents a post-structuralist critical approach that challenges traditional societal institutions rooted in the heteronormative model of human sexuality. It recognizes and embraces the expansive spectrum of sexuality, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

The lack of clarity in the use of the term "queer" is even greater in popular usage than it is in academic contexts. While queer theorists wish to use the term "queer" to mark some distance from "lesbian" and "gay," terms they see as connoting less radical and transgressive politics and as failing to include bisexual, transgender, and intersexed persons, many lesbians and gay men use "queer" as a synonym for the other terms. This gives the term a very broad signification that ranges from conservative, white, middle-class lesbians and gay men to sex and gender radicals and militants. Yet some conservatives and homophobes continue to use the term in its pejorative sense, leading many LGBT people and their supporters to question whether it is possible to reclaim a term that has served as a powerful weapon against LGBT people.

The term "queer" describes a rejection of normative definitions of appropriate feminine and masculine sexual behavior. Activists and academics have adopted contemporary meanings of "queer" to mark movements within sexual identity politics, fostering theoretical frameworks for understanding gender and sexuality. However, "queer" remains a contested term, with ongoing debates among scholars and activists regarding its meaning and usage.

The term is often employed as an umbrella, denoting sexual identity within specific communities. Queer communities encompass individuals identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and more. This inclusivity fosters solidarity based on commonality, encouraging the formation of supportive communities that may initiate political movements.

Historically 

Lesbian and gay studies originated as liberation movements during the anti-Vietnam War and countercultural movements of the late 1960s and 1970s. Initially separatist, these movements evolved, recognizing shared histories as suppressed minorities with common political and social aims. The adoption of the term "queer" symbolizes this recognition and unity.

In literature 

Numerous writers throughout history engaged in homosexual relationships, often facing societal rejection. Contemporary society and the entertainment industry now provide spaces for individuals to openly express and appreciate diverse identities. Movies and web series explore and celebrate these identities, contributing to changing societal perspectives.

The term "queer," originally derogatory, has been reclaimed by the LGBTQ+ community as a noninvidious identifier for a way of life and an area for scholarly inquiry. Queer studies, focusing on identity more than Gender Studies, offer profound insights and motivation for the next generation. This revolution challenges societal mentalities that reject non-normative identities, advocating for the acceptance of diverse human experiences.

As gender biases persist, Queer Theory plays a crucial role in spotlighting the experiences of those with different identities, including gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals. Through literature and academic discourse, Queer Theory continues to contribute to a broader understanding of human identities, fostering inclusivity, and challenging societal norms.

Attempting to move LGBT studies out of a ghetto in which its arguments seemed relevant only for understanding LGBT cultures, Sedgwick's book suggested that modern Western culture as a whole was consistently troubled by queer disruptions. Two special issues of differences: A Journal of Feminist Cultural Studies referred explicitly to queer theory: the first in summer 1991, under the guest editorship of the film theorist Teresa de Lauretis, "Queer Theory: Lesbian and Gay Sexualities"; the second, as a combined summer and fall issue in 1994, under the guest editorship of Judith Butler, "More Gender Trouble: Feminism Meets Queer Theory." In 1993, Michael Warner's edited collection, Fear of a Queer Planet, another foundational text, was published.

Also in 1993, Sedgwick published Tendencies, which includes the essay "Queer and Now." In this article, she argued that "queer" denotes any failure to assemble properly all of the various elements of gender identity and sexual practice that supposedly follow "naturally" and inevitably from the initial datum of one's sexual anatomy. She also argued that "queer" is necessarily a performative term that derives its force from the choice to invoke it—the most reliable indicator of queerness is simply an individual's decision to adopt the term as self-description.

Examples:-

"Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan" (2020)

"Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan" is a Bollywood romantic comedy film released in 2020. Directed by Hitesh Kewalya, the film is a part of the "Shubh Mangal Saavdhan" film series but takes a bold step by addressing same-sex relationships and LGBTQ+ issues. The Movie contributed to the changing landscape of Bollywood by featuring LGBTQ+ characters in lead roles and initiating conversations around acceptance and inclusion.

A beautiful NRI couple residing in America just proved that gay weddings can be stylish too. The New Jersey-based couple - Amit Shah and Aditya Madiraju tied the knot in a traditional ceremony at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Robbinsville in New Jersey America and it was a dreamy affair. The grooms who proved love is love, twinned on their big day in Anita Dongre ensembles. While Amit wore an Abhivira Kurta set by the designer, Aditya slayed in the Amartya Kurta set by the same designer. The duo finished off their look with multiple layered ruby necklaces.

Anuja Ankola and Adrienne Rochetti. While Anuja hails from India, Adrienne is apparently from America and when both the ladies fell in love and decided to tie the knot, they chose to respect each other's traditions and opted for their respective traditional wedding attires. Anuja stunned in a traditional red lehenga choli with elaborate golden embroidery, and Andrienne opted for a classic white wedding gown with deep heart-neck detailing.

Self-acceptance of sexuality has been defined as accepting one’s sexuality as it is and being comfortable with this part of the self. This is considered a key milestone within sexual identity development frameworks. Self-acceptance, within this theory, is suggested to be achieved by resolving internal conflicts arising from identifying as LGBQ+ within a heterosexist society, which further allows for progression in building positive feelings and pride toward the self-identity affirmation and pride, as well as successful integrating and valuing one’s sexuality as a part of one’s identity - centrality. However, this model has been criticized for suggesting a common linear progression of identity development that does not acknowledge the likely complex inter-relatedness of these processes and within-group variation for people with different intersectional identities.

Word Count - 1593

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