Queer literature is a genre that emerged to explore and represent marginalized identities within society, specifically those who do not identify with heteronormative gender roles and sexual orientations. This type of writing often explores themes related to identity, love, desire, and yearning for connection. One significant theme that can be found throughout many works of queer literature is the idea of incompleteness and longing.
Incompleteness refers to the feeling of being missing something essential in one's life, whether it be a relationship, a sense of belonging, or a deeper understanding of oneself. Many characters in queer literature experience this feeling due to their social status as outcasts or misfits.
In "The Price of Salt," by Patricia Highsmith, Therese is an aspiring artist living alone in New York City when she meets Carol, a married woman with children. Although they are both in relationships, they develop an intense attraction towards each other that leads to an affair.
Because of societal expectations and fear of rejection, they must keep their relationship hidden. This creates a sense of incompletion for both women, who yearn for true intimacy but cannot fully achieve it.
Longing, on the other hand, involves wanting something so badly that it becomes all-consuming. In "Brokeback Mountain" by Annie Proulx, Ennis Del Mar and Jack Twist meet while working together on a Wyoming sheep ranch. They become romantically involved despite knowing that their relationship will never be accepted by others.
Their physical separation causes deep emotional pain and longing for each other. As the story progresses, we see how their unfulfilled desires lead them down a path of destruction and heartbreak.
Queer literature often uses symbolism and metaphor to illustrate these themes, such as in "Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit" by Jeanette Winterson. The protagonist, Jeanette, was raised by Pentecostal parents who believe her sexuality to be sinful. She struggles to find her place in society, feeling like an outsider in both the church and outside of it. One recurring image throughout the book is the idea of "the empty space," which represents the void in Jeanette's life caused by her repressed desires. At one point, she even imagines herself as a bird, longing to fly away from this emptiness.
In addition to exploring individual experiences of incompleteness and longing, queer literature also addresses societal attitudes towards marginalized identities. Many works challenge traditional norms and expectations, depicting nontraditional relationships and gender roles.
"The Miseducation of Cameron Post" by Emily Danforth follows the titular character as she navigates life at a conversion therapy camp after being sent there by her conservative Christian aunt. Throughout the novel, Cameron grapples with questions of identity and belonging while forming meaningful connections with other residents at the camp.
Queer literature reveals that incompleteness and longing are universal human experiences, whether one identifies as LGBTQ+ or not. These feelings can manifest in various ways, from the desire for acceptance and understanding to the yearning for physical intimacy. By exploring these themes through art, we gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and our society.
How does queer literature reveal the sacred dimensions of longing and incompletion in human life?
Queer literature often explores themes of love, desire, identity, and belonging that are not commonly represented in mainstream literature. These themes can be seen as "incomplete" or lacking in traditional forms of storytelling, which often focus on heteronormative narratives. Queer authors challenge these norms by telling stories from diverse perspectives and experiences, exposing readers to new ways of understanding the world.