Heterosexual Plots and Lesbian Narratives

What is lesbian literature? Must it contain overtly lesbian characters, and portray them in a positive light? Must the author be overtly (or covertly) lesbian? Does there have to be a lesbian theme and must it be politically acceptable?
Marilyn Farwell here examines the work of such writers as Adrienne Rich, Marion Zimmer Bradley, Jeanette Winterson, Gloria Naylor, and Marilyn Hacker to address these questions. Dividing their writings into two genres--the romantic story and the heroic, or quest, story, Farwell addresses some of the most problematic issues at the intersection of literature, sex, gender, and postmodernism.
Illustrating how the generational conflict between the lesbian- feminists of twenty years ago and the queer theorists of today stokes the critical fires of contemporary lesbian and literary theory, Heterosexual Plots and Lesbian Narratives concludes by arguing for a broad and generous definition of lesbian writing.

About the author

Marilyn Farwell

Summary

What is lesbian literature? Must it contain overtly lesbian characters, and portray them in a positive light? Must the author be overtly (or covertly) lesbian? Does there have to be a lesbian theme and must it be politically acceptable? This book examines the work of such writers as Adrienne Rich, Marion Zimmer Bradley to address these questions.

Product details

• Authors: Marilyn Farwell, Marilyn R. Farwell, Alex Vitale
• Publisher: New York University Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 01.01.1996
• EAN: 9780814726402
• ISBN: 978-0-8147-2640-2
• No. of pages: 248
• Dimensions: 149 mm x 227 mm x 16 mm
• Weight: 327 g
• Series: Cutting Edge: Lesbian Life and; The Cutting Edge: Lesbian Life and Literature Series; Cutting Edge: Lesbian Life and
• Subjects: Guides > Self-help, everyday life > Partnership, sexuality; Humanities, art, music > Linguistics and literary studies > General and comparative literary studies