Eve kosofsky sedgwick life life of eve kosofsky sedgwick. Eve kosofsky sedgwick may 2, 1950 april 12, 2009 was an american academic scholar in the fields of gender studies, queer theory queer studies, and critical theory. Interview with eve kosofsky sedgwick, english professor at duke university, on queer theory, academic field she has helped create. Apr, 2009 eve kosofsky sedgwick died in new york yesterday. Eve kosofsky sedgwick the chronicle of higher education. This book indicates the impact that sedgwicks work has on writers, readers, and read more. Essays on queer culture and critical theory by stephen m.
The college years of eve kosofsky sedgwick, a founder of queer theory. Aug 22, 20 then at university i came across a clutch of books, including judith butlers gender trouble and eve kosofsky sedgwick s epistemology of the closet, of the key texts of queer theory. It is an ambitious essay divided into short sections that cover topics ranging from high suicide rates among gay, lesbian, and queer adolescents. Jan 17, 1998 interview with eve kosofsky sedgwick, english professor at duke university, on queer theory, academic field she has helped create. Eve kosofsky sedgwick science and nature books the guardian. Working from classic texts of european and american writersincluding melville, james, nietzsche, proust, and.
Books by eve kosofsky sedgwick author of epistemology of. Interview with eve kosofsky sedgwick, english professor at duke. To her admirers, sedgwicks academic writing was important because it spoke to actual social concerns. This insight that actually originated with michael foucault is often viewed as anti.
It is a frank and flowing analysis of the conflict of pleasure and destruction that shapes our attachment to life. Dec 09, 2015 jane hu on the marriage between hal and eve sedgwick, and on eves monumental legacy of work in queer theory. Combining philosophical, legal, literary, and historical approaches towards queerness and human sexuality, sedgwicks text is focused on the destruction of the dichotomous divides used to discuss and categorize. One of her most powerful formulations, the concept of.
May 11, 2009 the us academic and writer eve kosofsky sedgwick, who has died aged 58 of breast cancer, was one of the sharpest and most committed exponents of queer theory, the exploration of sexual. This has been due, in no small degree, to the influence of eve kosofsky sedgwicks critically acclaimed epistemology of the closet. Eve kosofsky sedgwick is one of the most significant literary theorists and a key figure in contemporary queer theory. Queer theorys origin is hard to clearly define, since it came from multiple critical and cultural contexts, including feminism, poststructuralist theory, radical movements of people of color, the gay and lesbian movements, aids activism, many sexual subcultural practices such as sadomasochism, and postcolonialism. Heavily influenced by the work of eve kosofsky sedgwick, judith butler, and lauren berlant, queer theory builds both upon feminist challenges to the idea that gender is part of the essential self and upon gaylesbian studies close examination of the socially constructed nature of sexual acts and identities. 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. The deeper i delved into the book, the more i became reacquainted with sedgwicks indispensable contributions to queer studies and was reminded of what a loss the discipline had suffered with her passing in 2009. Her papers showed the same character as her later books, and, he says, were.
Sedgwick argues that limiting sexuality to homosexuality or heterosexuality, in a. Eve kosofsky sedgwicks article, queer and now, collected in her book tendencies routledge 1994, challenges the dominant cultural conception of what it means to be queer, i. A pioneer in queer theory bostonia winterspring 2010. She was survived by her husband, hal sedgwick, whom she married in 1969 when she. The weather in proust duke university press is the late eve kosofsky sedgwicks madeleinea remembrance of queer theories past. In this book, she argues that the homohetero difference in the. Eve sedgwicks highspirited and moving book touching feeling intersects with material. Jun 26, 2016 eve sedgwicks queer and now, a synthesis of excerpts from several other pieces, was first published in 1993 and reprinted in the 20 queer studies reader. This book takes its title from the first essay, a startlingly original interpretation of proust. The college years of eve kosofsky sedgwick, a founder of. Janet halley editor, andrew parker, michele aina barale, jonathan goldberg. Eve kosofsky sedgwick project gutenberg selfpublishing. Queer theory is entering the literary mainstream the new.
Eve kosofsky sedgwick was one of the most significant literary theorists of the last forty years and a key figure in contemporary queer theory. Are you afraid of yourself in any of the ways the characters in this book are afraid of themselves. Eve kosofsky sedgwick, is one of the most important persons in queer theory. Eve kosofsky sedgwicks most popular book is epistemology of the closet. Sedgwick published several books considered groundbreaking in the field of queer theory, including between men. Queer theory informs my politics and journalism and made me understand robert, my childhood. Its about how you cant understand relations between men. Background queer theory libguides at university 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. Epistemology of the closet, updated with a new preface by. May 2, 1950 april 12, 2009 was an american academic scholar in the fields of gender studies, queer theory queer studies, and critical theory. The book appeared around the time that gay and lesbian studies were.
Here, sedgwick claims that pretty much all aspects of society are affected by the categorical homohetero divide. The advent of queer theory caused a shock wave which has affected all intellectual disciplines, as didier eribon, a leading french intellectual, once said. Queer theory is a branch of literary and critical studies that takes it influence. Eve kosofsky sedgwick was one of the most significant literary theorists of the last forty years and a key figure in contemporary queer t. 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. Her purpose, moreover, in composing this article is to fight against the homogenizing effects of political correctness upon art and literature, which has threatened to ameliorate and obviate the multivalenced meaning of queerness. Eve kosofsky sedgwick s article, queer and now, collected in her book tendencies routledge 1994, challenges the dominant cultural conception of what it means to be queer, i. The books contains several queer readings of literature, but it is the introduction and the title essay which are most famous. The weather in proust gathers pieces written by the eminent critic and theorist eve kosofsky sedgwick in the last decade of her life, as she worked toward a book on proust. Since the late 1980s, queer studies and theory have become vital to the intellectual and political life of the united states. Tendencies brings together for the first time the essays that have made eve kosofsky sedgwick. Although queer appeared only twice in the text, the book laid the groundwork for queer theorys inquiry into how western society categorizes, or challenges, its ideas about sexuality and gender.
Her purpose, moreover, in composing this article is to fight against the homogenizing effects of political. Sedgwicks deployment of the reparative implicitly theorizes an integration of these positionsand never more so than in her elegiac tributes to various queer men she has known and lost. The college years of eve kosofsky sedgwick, a founder of queer. Eve kosofsky sedgwick has 23 books on goodreads with 14528 ratings. Eve kosofsky sedgwick download ebook pdf, epub, tuebl, mobi. This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you want. The future of queer theory after no future may indeed be a reexploration of sedgwick after sedgwick. The weather in proust by eve kosofsky sedgwick lambda. Epistemology of the closet is a book published in 1990 by eve kosofsky sedgwick, who is considered one of the founders of queer studies. Rubin laying the groundwork to start discussion about making a distinction between gender and sexuality led the way for eve kosofsky sedgwicks pioneering book epistemology of the closet.
Influenced by feminism, psychoanalysis, and deconstruction, her work reflects an abiding interest in a wide range of issues and topics. It is also due to the enormous influence of eve kosofsky sedgwicks between men 1985, which, along with foucaults history of sexuality, provided the theoretical scaffolding for academic queer theory. Some notes on queer theory based on the assigned readings, hall, excerpt from queer theories 2003 sedgwick, axiom 2 from epistemology of the closet 1990 queer is a term with many meanings in regards to sexuality and politics. Get book recommendations, fiction, poetry, and dispatches from the world. Epistemology of the closet book by eve kosofsky sedgwick. Jane hu on the marriage between hal and eve sedgwick, and on eves monumental legacy of work in queer theory. Eve kosofsky sedgwick and judith butler showed me the. Eve kosofsky sedgwick 19502009 was a poet, artist, literary critic and teacher. Eve kosofsky sedgwick, a pioneer of gay studies and a. According to eve sedgwick, the closet isnt so secret after all. A streetcar named desire by tennessee williams 1947. A pioneer in queer theory and literary studies, eve kosofsky sedgwick brings together for the first time in touching feeling.
Queer theory is entering the literary mainstream the. The startlingly imaginative essays in the volume explore new critical practices that can weave the pleasures and disorientations of reading into the fabric of queer analyses. A pioneer in queer theory and literary studies, eve kosofsky sedgwick brings together for the first time in touching feeling her most powerful explorations of emotion and expression. The basis for the answer to this question comes from sedgwicks understanding and examination of queer theory, which she describes for her readers. To some degree, the male bias is due to the strong infl uence of gay male theorists. Infobox writer eve kosofsky sedgwick born may 2 1950 is an american theorist in the fields of gender studies, queer theory queer studies, and critical theory.
Queer and now tendencies books gateway duke university press. List of books and articles about eve kosofsky sedgwick. Born in 1950, eve kosofsky sedgwick was a literary theorist who was one of the founders of queer theory. Is this the new enlightenment on campus or the new mccarthyism. In many ways, the book that turned queer theory from a latent to a manifest. In a stunning introductory essay, eve kosofsky sedgwick delineates the possibilities for a criticism that would be reparative rather than cynical or paranoid. Approaches to literature queer theory macmillan higher. She is perhaps best known as one of the originators of queer theory. Eve kosofsky sedgwick, who has died aged 58 of breast cancer, was one of the sharpest and most committed exponents of queer theory, the. At the time of its first appearance in 1985 between men was viewed as an important intervention into feminist as well as gay and lesbian studies. Interview by mark kerr and kristin orourke santa barbara, ca, 19 jan.
English literature and male homosocial desire, epistemology of the closet, and tendencies. Her work and her example continue to have a significant effect in shaping the lives and thought of many people. By way of neoplatonism, buddhism, and the work of melanie klein, sedgwick establishes the sense of. The late eve sedgwick, pictured here at an exhibit of her art in 2003, leaves behind a sizable archive of her pioneering work in queer theory and gender studies. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. A pioneer in queer theory and literary studies, eve kosofsky sedgwick brings together for the first time intouching feelingher most powerful explorations of. Dec 20, 2011 the weather in proust is not just a random final collection of eve kosofsky sedgwicks essays. Queer theory is entering the literary mainstream the new york. Home literary criticism queer theory critics eve sedgwick. Queer used to be a slang word for homosexuals and was used for homophobic abuse. In her preface to this updated edition sedgwick places the book both.
The term queer theory was introduced in 1990, with eve kosofsky sedgwick, judith butler, adrienne rich and diana fuss all largely following the work of michel foucault among its foundational proponents. Eve kosofsky sedgwick was an american academic scholar in the fields of gender studies, queer theory, and critical theory. Jun 05, 20 eve kosofsky sedgwicks article, queer and now, collected in her book tendencies routledge 1994, challenges the dominant cultural conception of what it means to be queer, i. Her works reflect an interest in a range of issues, including queer performativity. It was an important book because it argued that sexuality and desire were not a historical phenomenon but carefully managed social constructs. Queer theory and its applications a research guide for students. Series q jonathan goldberg, michael moon, eve kosofsky sedgwick, janet halley. Epistemology of the closet, published by eve kosofsky sedgwick in 1990, effectively worked as a short attempt of explaining the queer theory. Mar 04, 2019 to some degree, the male bias is due to the strong infl uence of gay male theorists. In this engaging and inspiring guide, jason edwards. Eve kosofsky sedgwick may 2, 1950 april 12, 2009 was a poet, artist, literary critic and teacher. Over the course of her long career, eve kosofsky sedgwick became one of the most important voices in queer theory, and her calls for reparative criticism and reading practices grounded in affect and performance have transformed understandings of affect, intimacy, politics, and identity. A look back at the undergraduate years of eve kosofsky sedgwick, 71, a founder of queer theory, reveals a unique glimpse of where that shock wave first began. Over the course of her long career, eve kosofsky sedgwick became one of the most important voices in queer theory, and her calls for reparative criticism and reading practices grounded in affect and performance have transformed understandings of.
Eve kosofsky sedgwicks epistemology of the closet is often approached as one of the most groundbreaking discussions within the study of queer theory. Books by eve kosofsky sedgwick author of epistemology of the. This and other major statements appeared in the 1990s that gave an insight into how queer theory would emerge and function for the minority groups of sexuality and gender in the society. Jan 17, 2003 a pioneer in queer theory and literary studies, eve kosofsky sedgwick brings together for the first time in touching feeling her most powerful explorations of emotion and expression. This has been due, in no small degree, to the influence of eve kosofsky sedgwick s critically acclaimed epistemology of the closet. Working from classic texts of european and american writers. The us academic and writer eve kosofsky sedgwick, who has died aged 58 of breast cancer, was one of the sharpest and most committed exponents of queer theory, the exploration of sexual perspectives other than that of conventional straightness in literature and the humanities. In essays that show how her groundbreaking work in queer theory has developed into a deep interest in affect, sedgwick offers what she calls tools and techniques for nondualistic. Her purpose, moreover, in composing this article is to fight against the homogenizing. Her critical writings helped create the field of queer studies.
What is queer theory definition of queer theory define. Apr 08, 2020 eve kosofsky sedgwick, american author born may 2, 1950, dayton, ohiodied april 12, 2009, new york, n. Eve kosofsky sedgwicks epistemology of the closet a. The late eve kosofsky sedgwick, a leader in queer theory, will be sorely missed her insights, her wit, her leadership, and her courage. Queer theory in relation to epistemology of the closet. An assumption underlying the book is that the relations of the closetthe. What we are made to hide about our sexuality, and how we are told to hide it, tells a lot about our positionality in the world. The book was published during a heated period of the gay liberation movement. Influenced by feminism, psychoanalysis, and deconstruction, her work reflects an abiding interest in a wide range of issues. Eve kosofsky sedgwick is distinguished professor of english, cuny graduate center. If you have ever wanted to be a leather daddy, been puzzled by performativity, tried to measure bisexuality, or wondered whether diana, princess of wales could be a gay icon, queer. Click download or read online button to get eve kosofsky sedgwick book now. A queer theorists devoted husband and enduring legacy.
Queer theory is one of the most contested and intellectually complex movements in contemporary sexual politics. The us academic and writer eve kosofsky sedgwick, who has died aged 58 of breast cancer, was one of the sharpest and most committed exponents of queer theory, the exploration of sexual. Queer and now tendencies books gateway duke university. Epistemology of the closet, updated with a new preface by eve. Since the late 1980s, queer studies and theory have become vital to the. Then at university i came across a clutch of books, including judith butlers gender trouble and eve kosofsky sedgwicks epistemology. A pioneer in queer theory and literary studies, eve kosofsky sedgwick brings together for the first time in touching feeling her most powerful explorations of. In essays that show how her groundbreaking work in queer theory has developed into a deep interest in affect, sedgwick offers what she calls tools and techniques. In epistemology of the closet, sedgwick argues that standard binary oppositions limit freedom and understanding, especially in the context of sexuality. Eve kosofsky sedgwick and judith butler showed me the transformative power of the word queer. Sedgwicks use of queer theory exposes the underlying meanings behind the oppositions and distinctions in modern culture at large.
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