Queer Theory is rapidly expanding and it involved a lot of diverse ideas. Much of the work from this theory spawned from feminist criticism. This theory revolves around the study of sexuality, A common definition of sexuality is who you are attracted to and the capacity for sexual tension. This theory studies gender binaries of literature and can be incorporated into many other subjects. Many theorists that work with this lens of criticism are interested in the breakdown of binaries between male and female. It tests the question, what does it mean to be male, female, or not conform to any one gender norm. In literature it is known that all characters are heterosexual unless specified otherwise. Gender studies breaks down the ideas of how any individual defines who they are as a person and how they want the world to perceive them. Some typical questions that critics may ask are: What support is given to the characters that question the masculine/feminine binary? How does the work contribute to our knowledge of queer, gay, or lesbian experiences and literary history? Is it traditional presentation or forceful?
Adrienne Rich’s works portrayed a different perspective on lesbian criticism. It surrounded the idea of the woman identified experiences. Argues the existence of the lesbian continuum. Which could be defined as a spectrum for feminists sexual orientation that is said to be the only way to overcome patriarchy. Lois Tyson says, “Includes a range- through each woman’s life and throughout history – of woman identified experience.” This was originally made to be a political tool to describe women’s suffering and reluctance to patriarchy. She brought oppression and patriarchal equality through poetry to relevancy. She discussed emotional bonding, receiving psychological support, and the experience of genuine joy.
The next theorists is not a giant name in the realm of queer theory but Paula Bennet was an advocate for extracting and analyzing sexual imagery. She discussed and analyzed that many texts include a homoerotic dimension. Bennet says, “Another task a lesbian critic might perform is to argue that a writer’s literary output establishes her lesbian status even when available biographical material posits only a passionate emotional bond.” She analyzes famous poets like Emily Dickinson and conveys what it’s like be a conceptualized woman in society.
