1. Queer Theory
And Blood Red road

2. Queer Theory
Queer is by definition whatever is at odds with the normal, the legitimate, the dominant. There is nothing in particular to which it necessarily refers. It is an identity without an essence. 'Queer' then, demarcates not a positivity but a positionality vis-à-vis the normative. (Karl Ulrich) Merriam Webster Definition of queer theory an approach to literary and cultural study that rejects traditional categories of gender and sexuality

3. Queer Theory: From Lois Tyson: Critical Theory Today
For queer theory, categories of sexuality cannot be defined by such simple oppositions as homosexual/heterosexual. Building on deconstruction’s insights into human subjectivity (selfhood) as a fluid, fragmented, dynamic collectivity of possible “selves,” queer theory defines individual sexuality as a fluid, fragmented, dynamic collectivity of possible sexualities.

4. Tyson Continued
Our sexuality may be different at different times over the course of our lives or even at different times over the course of a week because sexuality is a dynamic range of desire. Gay sexuality, lesbian sexuality, bisexuality, and heterosexuality are, for all of us, possibilities along a continuum of sexual possibilities. And what these categories mean to different individuals will be influenced by how they conceive their own racial and class identities as well.

5. Tyson continued
Thus, sexuality is completely controlled neither by our biological sex (male or female) nor by the way our culture translates biological sex into gender roles(masculine or feminine). Sexuality exceeds these definitions and has a will, a creativity, an expressive need of its own. (Tyson 335)

6. Tyson continued
Finally, lesbian, gay, and queer criticism often rely on similar kinds of textual evidence. No single textual cue can stand on its own as evidence of a lesbian, gay or queer atmosphere in a text. Nor can a small number of such cues support a lesbian, gay, or queer reading. But a preponderance of these cues, especially if coupled with other kinds of textual or biographical evidence, can strengthen a lesbian, gay, or queer interpretation even of an apparently heterosexual text. (Tyson 339)

7. Some of Tyson’s questions to ask about the text
How does the literary text illustrate the problematics of sexuality and sexual "identity," that is the ways in which human sexuality does not fall neatly into the separate categories defined by the words homosexual and heterosexual?
What elements in the text exist in the middle, between the perceived masculine/feminine binary? In other words, what elements exhibit traits of both (bisexual)?
What elements of the text can be perceived as being masculine (active, powerful) and feminine (passive, marginalized) and how do the characters support these traditional roles?

8. Why am I bringing up queer theory?
I do so because I feel that referring to Saba, The Free Hawks and other dystopian New new women is reductive and unfair, and just plain wrong. They are not becoming manly. They are re-defining what ought to be and is a fluid developing role for women and men. Referring to Jack, Lugh, Ike, and Tommo as inferior males is also reductive and unfair, although they often assume inferior male roles. ( we will discuss this further in our next class.)

9. Exercise
In what ways can you explain the ways in which the women we have discussed defy the defining traits of traditional female roles? In what ways are they queer, divergent, different from the stereotypical good girls that society has long defined as the role for women? Think of examples of their looks, their strengths, their values, their clothing, their behaviors, their attitudes towards the opposite sex, and their own sex? How is Saba queer? Remember that queer does not mean lesbian, or it doesn’t have to. It simply means that she is breaking through the traditional norms of gender and sexuality. How are the Free Hawks queer? How is Emmi, for that matter? Remember to find several quotes/examples for each point you make. I will ask each group to share their responses.

10. Exercise
Spend the rest of the class writing down what you talked about in your groups. This will serve as a part of your rough draft for you next short paper.