Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick Carol Chi 2003/11/11 Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick Carol Chi 2003/11/11

Questions: How can we distinguish homosociality and homosexuality? How can we distinguish homosociality and homosexuality? Can we really distinguish sex, gender and sexuality very clearly? Can we really distinguish sex, gender and sexuality very clearly?

From Between Men: English Literature and Male Homosocial Desire From Introduction

Her Three Arguments in this book Changes in the structure of male “ homosocial desire ” Changes in the structure of male “ homosocial desire ” Different forms of male relations are related with class. Different forms of male relations are related with class. This pattern cannot deviate from women and gender system. This pattern cannot deviate from women and gender system.

Homosocial Desire ’ s Definition: “ The social bonds between persons of the same sex ” (2435) Homosocial Desire ’ s Definition: “ The social bonds between persons of the same sex ” (2435) For Sedgwick, the continuum between male homosociality and homosexuality is interrupted in our society. For Sedgwick, the continuum between male homosociality and homosexuality is interrupted in our society. She indicates the reason she uses the word of “ desire ” rather than “ love ”. She indicates the reason she uses the word of “ desire ” rather than “ love ”. Desire vs. Libido (2435) Desire vs. Libido (2435)

The Opposition between Homosociality and Homosexuality for Women This opposition is less dichotomous for women than for men. This opposition is less dichotomous for women than for men. Andrienne Rich ’ s concept~ “ linking lesbianism with other forms of women ’ s attention to women ” (2436). Andrienne Rich ’ s concept~ “ linking lesbianism with other forms of women ’ s attention to women ” (2436). Our society gets used to combining feminism with lesbianism together. Our society gets used to combining feminism with lesbianism together.

The Discontinuity between Homosociality and Homosexuality for Men The example of Regan and Jesse Helms The example of Regan and Jesse Helms The patriarchy builds “ Obligatory Heterosexuality. ” The patriarchy builds “ Obligatory Heterosexuality. ” Sedgwick applies Rubin ’ s idea to supporting her argument about homosexuality as an oppressed system (2437). Sedgwick applies Rubin ’ s idea to supporting her argument about homosexuality as an oppressed system (2437).

Dover ’ s Greek Homosexuality Male homosexuality was legal in ancient Greek. Male homosexuality was legal in ancient Greek. The stereotype of male homosexuality similar to that of heterosexual love. The stereotype of male homosexuality similar to that of heterosexual love. This relation would not last forever. This relation would not last forever. Dover quoted Pausanias in Plato ’ s Symposium ~the love relationship has the educational function. (2437) Dover quoted Pausanias in Plato ’ s Symposium ~the love relationship has the educational function. (2437)

These boys learned the virtues of Athenian citizenship and the privileges they inherited. These boys learned the virtues of Athenian citizenship and the privileges they inherited. # Women and slaves # Women and slaves

Conclusion Greek ’ s situation is an exception, because the continuity between female homosocial and homosexual connections obviously contrasts to the brokenness of male homosocial and homosexual bonds in our society. Greek ’ s situation is an exception, because the continuity between female homosocial and homosexual connections obviously contrasts to the brokenness of male homosocial and homosexual bonds in our society.

From Epistemology of the Closet From Introduction: Axiomatic

The Differences between Chromosomal Sex and Gender ~ Rubin ’ s Sex/Gender System Chromosomal Sex~ Chromosomal Sex~ A. “ unchangeable and interior in the individual ” A. “ unchangeable and interior in the individual ” B. “ biologically based ” B. “ biologically based ”Gender~ A. “Culturally changeable and variable” B. “relational and inextricable from a history”

Sedgwick does not agree with Rubin ’ s sex/gender system, for the system tries to Sedgwick does not agree with Rubin ’ s sex/gender system, for the system tries to obtain “ analytic and critical leverage on the female-disadvantaging social arrangements …” (2439) obtain “ analytic and critical leverage on the female-disadvantaging social arrangements …” (2439)

The primary issue: Who is to have controlled women ’ s distinctive reproductive ability? The primary issue: Who is to have controlled women ’ s distinctive reproductive ability? Her focus is “ the problematized space of the sex/gender system. ” (2440) Her focus is “ the problematized space of the sex/gender system. ” (2440)

The Discussions of Sex and Sexuality Sexuality/sex defined in the modern culture is unable to be contained in female-defined sex / gender system. Sexuality/sex defined in the modern culture is unable to be contained in female-defined sex / gender system. In some ways, sexuality is related with certain physical sites or procreation. In some ways, sexuality is related with certain physical sites or procreation. However, Freud and Foucault all think that sexuality differs from chromosomal-based sex. (the figure 1 on 2440) However, Freud and Foucault all think that sexuality differs from chromosomal-based sex. (the figure 1 on 2440)

For her, the questions of sex and gender are different. For her, the questions of sex and gender are different. In the modern western culture, gender and sexuality represent two analytic axes. In the modern western culture, gender and sexuality represent two analytic axes. # Ex. Gender & Class, Class & Race. # Ex. Gender & Class, Class & Race. # Embody race -----class # Embody race -----class class-----gender class-----gender gender---sexuality gender---sexuality The objection to the above analogy: gender is built on the determination of sexuality The objection to the above analogy: gender is built on the determination of sexuality

The Weak Position of Homosexuals The gender-based analysis has clear distinctions between different genders. The gender-based analysis has clear distinctions between different genders. Gay / lesbian and antihomophobic inquiry needs “ alternative analytic axis ” - sexuality. Gay / lesbian and antihomophobic inquiry needs “ alternative analytic axis ” - sexuality.

Why does Gay / lesbian and Antihomophobic inquiry learn from Feminism? A. Different kinds of oppression are woven together. # Ex. a married woman vs. her identity of a heterosexual (2443) # Ex. a married woman vs. her identity of a heterosexual (2443) B. Feminists have found out gender ’ s categories. (2443 & the figure 1)

Differences between gender and sexual orientation Differences between gender and sexual orientation The difficulties of combing gay / lesbian and antihomophobic theory and sexuality The difficulties of combing gay / lesbian and antihomophobic theory and sexuality