Modernism is a literary movement that emerged around the turn of the century and lasted until World War II. It was characterized by its emphasis on experimentation and innovation in form, language, and subject matter. One of the key themes of Modernism was sexuality and gender, which manifested itself in many different ways in literature. Many authors, such as Virginia Woolf, James Joyce, and D.H. Lawrence, explored gender roles and sexual identities through their writing.
Queer figures were often represented in a negative light during this period, either as aberrations or objects of ridicule.
In works like Ulysses by James Joyce and Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf, characters who identify as non-binary or transgender are depicted as tragic figures, often suffering from mental illness or social isolation. This reinforces the idea that non-conforming genders are abnormal and dangerous. In addition, many queer characters are erased altogether, appearing briefly before disappearing from the narrative entirely.
In Mrs. Dalloway, Septimus Smith, a veteran who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and experiences gender dysphoria, commits suicide after being institutionalized for his "unnatural" behavior. His death is framed as a tragedy caused by his own internal turmoil rather than society's intolerance.
Despite these negative representations, there were some writers who challenged the norms of the time and advocated for more inclusive portrayals of queer identity. Radclyffe Hall's novel The Well of Loneliness tells the story of Stephen Gordon, an outwardly masculine woman who falls in love with another woman. While the book was initially banned due to its controversial subject matter, it paved the way for other authors to explore queer themes in literature.
Walt Whitman's poetry celebrates homosexuality and sexual freedom, creating a space for queer identities to be recognized and celebrated.
Even these positive portrayals have their limitations. Many of these works still focus on pain, trauma, and shame associated with queerness, perpetuating stereotypes about gay men as promiscuous or femmes as weak.
They often lack representation of transgender or non-binary individuals, relegating them to the margins of literary history.
While Modernism offered new opportunities for exploring sexuality and gender, queer figures were often erased or vilified during this period. It wasn't until later movements like Postmodernism that queer identities began to be more fully integrated into literature.
How were queer figures represented and erased during the modernist period?
During the Modernist Period (1900-1945), queer individuals were often portrayed as deviant or outcast characters in literature and art due to their nonconformity with gender norms and sexuality. The term "queer" itself was used to describe these individuals derogatorily, and they were frequently excluded from mainstream society.