O Pioneers! Group

Topic: Queer Subtext?

Rate topic:

1

tishmel

I am considering writing my essay on the gay subtext that my teacher says runs all through the novel. Can any one point me in the right direction? I didn't see this at first.

2

I would be happy to help out but I do not find the title of the text you are working on.  What is the project?

3

tishmel

O Pioneers by Willa Cather.  Again, my teacher says there is a strong lesbian subtext, but I just don't see it.  Can you help point a few out? 

4

collinsmc1

what is "queer"????  your teacher is buying into the hype of Cather's alleged sexual orientation.  If and because she is lesbian does not color the novel in the sense that Alexandra is a strong woman who degenderizes the role of 'farmer' and does what she has to do to in order to support a family of mysoginst men.  To place "lesbian" in this context negates the fact that Alexandr(i)a is the best person for the job accroding to the wishes of her dying father.

Teacher's should leave agendas, be they moral or political, out of the places that they are not appropriate and not force issues simply because they are convenient.

Add a Post