Epistemology of the closet is a book published in 1990 by eve kosofsky sedgwick, who is considered one of the founders of queer studies. Epistemology of the closetsedgwick alternative canons of. In epistemology of the closet, sedgwick argues that standard binary oppositions limit freedom and understanding, especially in the context of sexuality. But it was the introduction to sedgwicks epistemology of the closet, titled axiomatic, that i devoured in one sitting. 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. Epistemology of the closet book by eve kosofsky sedgwick. Epistemology of the closet by eve sedgwick 1990 according to eve sedgwick, the closet isnt so secret after all. Epistemology of the closet, updated with a new preface 9780520254060. Apr 08, 2020 eve kosofsky sedgwick, american author born may 2, 1950, dayton, ohiodied april 12, 2009, new york, n. Working from classic texts of european and american writersincluding melville, james, nietzsche, proust, and wildesedgwick analyzes a.
An analysis of eve kosofsky sedgwicks epistemology of the. 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. 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. Sedgwicks use of queer theory exposes the underlying meanings behind the oppositions and. Jan 08, 2018 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. Sedgwick and critics following in her footsteps have conceptualised the closet as a quintessentially male construct. 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. This has been due, in no small degree, to the influence of eve kosofsky sedgwick s critically acclaimed epistemology of the closet.
This 38page guide for epistemology of the closet by eve kosofsky sedgwick includes detailed chapter summaries and analysis covering 5 chapters, as well as several more indepth sections of expertwritten literary analysis. The assignment deals with the epistemology of the closetsedgwick alternative canons of lesbian from epistemology of the closet questions according to sedgwick, what do the alternative canons of lesbian and gay male writing reveal about literature of the past. It is argued in eve kosofsky sedgwicks book epistemology of the closet that resting at the heart of every form of literature are questions about sexual definition. Eve kosofsky sedgwicks concept, the epistemology of the closet, is a foundational contribution to the field of queer theory. Since the late 1980s, queer studies and theory have become vital to the intellectual life of the u. Since the late 1980s, queer studies and theory have become vital to the intellectual and political life of the united states. Mar 11, 20 lugones also argues, somewhat controversiallly, that the gender binary is the most persistent of myths since in her model gender is racialized and race is gendered, she contends that they are effectively a plurality of genders in our society that we refuse to acknowledge.
This is a very accurate assessment, both in terms of content and regarding the form of epistemology of the closet. Queer theory in relation to epistemology of the closet. 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. Since the publication of eve kosofsky sedgwick s epistemology of the closet, the closet has become one of the most crucial theoretical frameworks of queer studies. Epistemology of the closet proposes that many of the major nodes of thought and knowledge in twentiethcentury western culture as a whole are structured indeed, fractured. Epistemology of the closet by eve kosofsky sedgwick 1,908 ratings, 4. To read and reread sedgwicks epistemology of the closet is a rewarding experience. However, there are two definitions pertinent to our understanding of the closet. 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. Eve kosofsky sedgwicks epistemology of the closet a. Eve kosofsky sedgwick epistemology of the closet a.
The beas itn the closet james and the writing of homosexual panic. Epistemology of the closet, updated with a new preface by eve. In attempting to discover a text that would exemplify her argument in epistemology of the closet, eve kosofsky sedgwick settled upon a narrative that despite its brevity proved to be the embodiment of gay male intertexuality and provided a durable and potent physical icon for gay male desire. Epistemology of the closet by eve kosofsky sedgwick. Eve kosofsky sedgwickepistemology of the closet 1990. The beast in the closet i83 expect to be an objec otf lega violencel th lega,e enforcemenl ha a td disproportionately wid effecte a. The society has limited our concept of sexuality with just the homosexual or the heterosexual, and for sedgwick, this is just too simplistic. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides for challenging works of literature. English literature and male homosocial desire 1985, epistemology of the closet 1990. Other readers will always be interested in your opinion of the books youve read.
Eve kosofsky sedgwick, american author born may 2, 1950, dayton, ohiodied april 12, 2009, new york, n. Epistemology of the closet rev 08 by sedgwick, eve kosofsky paperback 2008 sedgwick on. Buy a cheap copy of epistemology of the closet book by eve kosofsky sedgwick. 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. Working from classic texts of european and american writersincluding melville, james, nietzsche, proust, and wilde sedgwick analyzes a. Epistemology of the closet by eve kosofsky sedgwick goodreads. And the specific language we use to cover things up is determined by. 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. In that same decade, the gay and lesbian rights movement redoubled its efforts and academic explorations of minority sexualities burgeoned. Epistemology of the closet, updated with a new preface by. 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 resistent to theoretical categories are actual. Epistemology of the closet, updated with a new preface.
Epistemology of the closet critical analysis essay. Epistemology of the closet introductionchapter 3 summary. Sedgwick published several books considered groundbreaking in the field of queer theory, including between men. Epistemology of the closet bailey major reference works. 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. Epistemology of the closet rev 08 by sedgwick, eve kosofsky. 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 expressions and. Fairly early on sedgwick characterizes this project, in lieu of a warning of sorts, as not pellucid. Epistemology of the closet appears in the early 1990s like a miss ing link in the evolution of gay and lesbian studies and politics. Generally, the epistemology of the closet is the idea that thought itself is structured by homosexualheterosexual definitions, which damages our ability to think.
Eve kosofsky sedgwicks epistemology of the closet is often approached as one of the most groundbreaking discussions within the study of queer theory. Apr 10, 2018 this is a very interesting post, however i interpreted sedgwicks dense and often incredibly difficult and convoluted introduction to the seminal epistemology of the closet a little differently. Considered one of the founding or the founding book of queer. 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. 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. Epistemology of the closet rev 08 by sedgwick, eve kosofsky paperback 2008.
Epistemology of the closet eve kosofsky sedgwick download. Sedgwick noted that epistemology of the closet dealt primarily with the. Updated with a new preface 2nd second,revis edition by sedgwick, eve kosofsky published by university of california press 2008 since the late 1980s, queer studies and theory have become vital to the intellectual and political life of the united states. Eve kosofsky sedgwick epistemology of the closet pdf since the late s, queer studies and theory have become vital to the intellectual and political life of the united states. Epistemology of the closet, updated with a new preface by eve kosofsky sedgwick, 9780520254060, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. One thought on sedgwick and the epistemology of the closet s. May 2, 1950 april 12, 2009 was an american academic scholar in the fields of gender studies, queer theory queer studies, and critical theory. Epistemology of the closct eve kosofsky sedgwick, p. 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. Hardwick supreme court decision, which upheld a georgia sodomy law. Working from classic texts of european and american writers including melville, james, nietzsche, proust, and wilde sedgwick analyzes. Epistemology of the closet rev 08 by sedgwick, eve. Epistemology of the closet quotes by eve kosofsky sedgwick. Eve kosofsky sedgwick on teoksessaan epistemology of the closet 1990 todennut puheen normaaliudesta rakentuvan suhteessa niihin ilmioihin ja olemisen.
Within her text, the epistemology of the closet, kosofsky sedgwick offers numerous ways to define the closet. 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. The concept of the closet, linguistically, served as the foundation, and means, to identify as a homosexual, or lgbtq. Epistemology of the closetsedgwick alternative canons of lesbian.
Eve kosofsky sedgwick s concept, the epistemology of the closet, is a foundational contribution to the field of queer theory. Eve kosofsky sedgwick and judith butler showed me the. This has been due, in no small degree, to the influence of eve kosofsky sedgwicks critically acclaimed epistemology of the closet. Sedgwick and the epistemology of the closet eng703.
How can we put gender norms into social policy and practice. The larger point, of course, is to theorize gender and sexuality as distinct though intimately entangled axes of analysis. It looks into the very physiognomy of closet, and assays the work of some great authors such as proust, joyce. This text will shatter the framework through which you think about life. Dec 06, 2008 she is in the closet throughout the majority of the novel until she breaks her silence and challenges the heteronormative discourse by admitting her sexual desires to zoe. Chronologically, this book begins where the former one closed, at the end of. Apr 14, 2017 in the excerpt from epistemology of the closet, sedgwick examines how the literary canon is loaded with white, patriarchal literature, and that contemporary discussions on the literary canon focus on changing the paradigm of literary scholarship to fracture the established canon into many minicanons, which in turn would create opportunities. Feb 19, 2016 how can we put gender norms into social policy and practice.
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. Eve kosofsky sedgwicks epistemology of the closet is an argument about the socially imposed binary oppositions that limits the peoples freedom and understanding, especially when it comes to human sexuality. 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. See, what we do talk about gives other people clues about what skeletons were hiding in our closets. Sep 06, 2019 eve kosofsky sedgwick epistemology of the closet pdf since the late s, queer studies and theory have become vital to the intellectual and political life of the united states. In epistemology of the closet, sedgwick continues to break new ground in her explorations of male homosocial desire. Detailed in a text by the same name published in 1990, the phrase. 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. Epistemology of the closet by sedgwick, eve kosofsky and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at.
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. This has been, to no small degree, due to the popularity of. This is a very interesting post, however i interpreted sedgwicks dense and often incredibly difficult and convoluted introduction to the seminal epistemology of the closet a little differently. These citations may not conform precisely to your selected citation style.