The Metaphorical Lesbian in Chopin’s The Awakening In “The Metaphorical Lesbian: Edna Pontellier in The Awakening” Elizabeth LeBlanc asserts that the character Edna Pontellier is an example of what Bonnie Zimmerman calls the “metaphorical lesbian.” It’s important to distinguish between Zimmerman’s concept of the “metaphorical lesbian” and lesbianism. The “metaphorical lesbian” does not have to act on lesbian feelings or even become conscious of herself as a lesbian. Instead, the “metaphorical lesbian”
Edna as a Metaphorical Lesbian in Chopin’s The Awakening Elizabeth LeBlanc places The Awakening in an interesting context in her essay “The Metaphorical Lesbian,” as gender criticism must, for Chopin wrote the novel at the end of the 19th century, when homosexuality as an identity emerged culturally, at least in terms of the gay male identity, as proffered by Oscar Wilde across the Atlantic. Lesbianism, too, started to make its debut on the cultural stage, particularly in literature. However
this perspective, the reader/critic opens the doors of interpretation instead of narrowing their focus to any singular, exclusionary reading, and exposes the deconstruction at work within the text itself. Whether defined as feminist martyr, metaphorical lesbian, the triumphant image of social transcendence or a broken bird “beating the air above . . . circlin...
amniotic fluid, so in drowning the woman is immersed in feminine organic element. Drowning thus becomes the traditionally feminine literary death”. (Showalter 219) LeBlanc takes this idea even further. She tells us that “The sea is Edna’s metaphorical lesbian lover—her only source of fulfillment equal to her longing.” Edna “overcomes her fear of water and unites with her “lover” for the first time”. (LeBlanc 251) In these statements Showalter and LeBlanc guide us to a glimpse of why Edna chose
"The only part of the conduct of anyone, for which he is amenable to society, is that which concerns others. In the part which merely concerns himself, his independence is, of right, absolute... The principle requires liberty of taste and pursuit; of framing the plan of our life to suit our own character; doing as we like, subject to such consequences as may follow; without impediment from our fellow creatures, so long as what we do does not harm them, even though they should think our conduct foolish
I) THE SCIENTIFIC PERSPECTIVE: Scientifically speaking, sex is a means to an end. The end being the propagation of the human race. This end can never be fulfilled by sex between males (in the case of gays) or between females (in the case of lesbians). Therefore, the general conclusion is that homosexuality is irrational and illogical. If we consider the construction of the bodies of the male and female, what is noticed at once is that the construction of a body of a male (the penis and
Orientation Do parents influence their children's sexuality? The answer may surprise you: no they do not. It has been found that about 90% of sons of gay fathers are heterosexual (Bailey 124). It was also found that 90% of daughters of lesbian women are also heterosexual (Golombok 4). According to a poll taken by Northwestern University almost 95% of people expect children of homosexual parents to be homosexual themselves (Bailey 125). This popular belief has affected many child
sports both men and women can compete in regardless of the traditional gender specific sports notions of the past. Women should be allowed to participate in traditional "male" sports like hockey, bodybuilding, and boxing without being stereotyped as lesbians. Men should be allowed to participate in traditional "female" sports like synchronized swimming and field hockey without losing their "masculinity". A perso...
The dance club is no longer an exclusive venue drawing together people with similar musical interests. Instead, it has become the commercialized superclub, where profit rather than music is the bottom line. As a space traditionally influenced by homosexuals becomes a major business opportunity, this commercialization has led to the inclusion of gay subcultures within mainstream American society. However, this process has served to reinforce social stigma and stereotypes. The advertising and club
Introduction The Red Figure and Black Figure pottery styles were prevalent in Ancient Greece staring around 600 BC. Black figure was a style that preceded red-figure pottery in which the artist left the background of the pot the color of the clay and the figures were painted with slip as well as incised into the pot so that after a 3 part firing process the figures would come out black and the pot as red. Red figure pottery followed this style in which the artist painted the background of the pot
Among Lesbians and Gay Men Sari D. Gold Brian A. Feinstein Christopher Skidmore Brian P. Marx Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy Vol 3(1), Fall 2015 Dr. Wiltshire Review Summary This study explores the lives of sexual minority individuals who have endured childhood physical abuse, and the long term psychological effects in which it creates. This study in particular sampled members who were solely apart of the LGBT community - 112 adult lesbians and 115
existed despite the lack of a unified lesbian social identity; these, in
These leaders focus on personal qualities, personal beliefs, and social characteristics. For example, a leader’s personality and social attributes might have a positive or negative effect on the public sector. Many problems ally with the trait theory in regards the courses of effective behavior that depend upon the situations. In the case of Kim Davis denying the right for a same-sex to obtain a marriage license, the trait theory is very much alive in this situation. Due to Ms. Davis’s personality
Given that lesbian desire has often been associated with the monstrous in horror and vampire genres, and that Buffy the Vampire Slayer is seen as having reworked the conventions of these genres, it is worth considering how the narrative of lesbianism is dealt with in this series to contemplate if and how this desire has been resignified. This paper is concerned with critically analysing the overt representations of lesbian desire and identity as they are manifested through the Willow (played by Alyson
frequently given homage, making her a kind of patron (a matron perhaps?) of lesbian desire. Sappho constructs her desire with three distinct components: a visual component, a physical component, and a repetition and renewal component. She also modified traditional mythological viewpoints to enhance the image of her view of desire. Through this woman-centered interpretation of Sappho, I want to place emphasis on Sappho's lesbian identity and reconstruct the desire that she felt towards other women.
Coming out of “My Heterophobia” Closet Growing up in a heterosexual world as a Lesbian who remained in many closets, has shape my identity and the way I will transact with people for the rest of my life. Upon coming out of closet, or being pushed out (by suspension from parents and friends) at the age of eighteen or nineteen I quickly assumed the bi-sexual title because it meant at least there was hope for me in the future. This proved to be worse for my self-esteem, and may have caused the most
While sexual difference may not exist between lesbians all other forms of difference do. These include differences of identity: race, class origins, employment status, age, religion, physical abilities - and while we may struggle against these differences within our individual ‘spaces’ they have a material and institutional reality that cannot be wished away What, to you, seems important about the terms gay and lesbian in literature? In the face of a homophobic society we need creative and critical
Though, every queer character may not fit one description. In the novel, The Well of Loneliness, Hall, describes the book as Lesbian fiction. This initial glance at the cover may narrow the mind of a reader who is trying to unveil what it means to be a lesbian, transgender, or even a queer person. After looking into the array of relationships that Stephen comes across as she developes from adolescents. I recognized that one of Stephen’s most
references, many of which would be referred to today as lesbian. Homosexual imagery is not what typically comes to mind when thinking of works by Emily Dickinson, but I found that element to be present while reading select poetry and letters from her repertoire. Ongoing debate seems to be centered on the nature and commonality of romantic friendships, and the extent to which female interrelations must progress before acquiring the nomenclature of "lesbian." I tend to agree with Lillian
society, however it fluctuated in its prevalence and acceptance throughout the 20th century. Prior to the 1920s numerous accounts were given stating that being homosexual was a concealed topic, it was not discussed, and if the topic of being gay or lesbian was brought up it could lead to imprisonment or a ruined life for the individual. Similarly, before the 1920s in the U.S. the LGBTQ community couldn’t even be referred to by their preferred sexual identities but as “temperamental” instead, which solidified