The term "queer" is often used to describe individuals who identify as something other than heterosexual and cisgender. This can include lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, nonbinary, intersex, and asexual people.
There are many more variations within this umbrella term. Queer identity is an important part of literature throughout history. One way that authors have encoded queerness into their work is through subtext. Subtext refers to hidden meaning in a text that is not explicitly stated but can be inferred from what is written. In nineteenth-century literature, authors such as Oscar Wilde used subtext to explore same-sex desire without breaking laws against homosexuality.
In his play Salome, he includes references to John the Baptist's head being carried away on a platter, which was a symbol for male genitalia. This allowed him to write about same-sex attraction without risking punishment. Similarly, Virginia Woolf used subtext in her novel Mrs. Dalloway to explore female relationships outside of traditional marriage structures. She wrote about Clarissa's relationship with Sally Seton, which was never explicit but hinted at by their shared experiences and feelings.
Allegory is another literary device that has been used to encode queer identities. An allegory is a story or poem where characters represent abstract ideas or concepts. In James Joyce's Ulysses, Stephen Dedalus embarks on a journey of self-discovery while exploring his sexuality. He encounters various challenges along the way, including meeting Bloom who represents fertility and masculinity. While the book does not overtly address Dedalus's sexuality, it explores themes of identity and belonging that are relevant to queer individuals.
Stylistic experimentation is also used to encode queerness in literature. Experimental forms of writing often break with traditional conventions and expectations, allowing authors to explore new ways of expressing themselves. In T.S. Eliot's The Waste Land, he uses fragmentary language and collage techniques to create a disjointed narrative that reflects the psychological state of its protagonists. These unconventional methods were seen as radical for the time period and paved the way for future experimental works.
Contemporary queer studies can learn from these literary strategies because they allow us to see how authors have navigated societal norms and expectations. By understanding the subtext, allegories, and stylistic experiments of nineteenth- and twentieth-century literature, we can better understand the experiences of queer individuals throughout history and today.