QUEER THEORY AND MONOCEROS: Private versus Public life

Abstract

Literature, in its artistic and fictional dimension, endues political and social roles remarkable and determinant for the reconstruction of cultural history, while representing the unfoldings of individual and collective issues. Queer theory, which appears as part of a broad theoretical umbrella that encompasses feminist theories and studies of gender and sexuality, on the basis of several fields of knowledge among which literary studies, is a valuable tool to deal with the social aspects developed and discussed in literary works, mainly those defined as focusing in queer themes. In this sense, queer literature gives visibility to subjects that are often taken as invisible by common sense, even nowadays, bringing to light questionings of sexual normalcy. Therefore, this work aims at analyzing the roles of two gay couples (Max/Walter and Patrick/Ginger) characters in the Canadian novel Monoceros (2011), by Suzette Mayr. We start our study with a discussion of queer theory developed by several fundamental authors, such as Louro, Butler, Miskolci and others, in order to subvert the social comprehension generally offered of narratives and/or societies that try to deny sexual diversity, with effects on the practical life of characters/homoaffective people, in this case, in Monoceros. Thus, we seek to engage with visions of literature and theory that challenge essentialist and binary views on sexuality, trying to discuss reasons for the narrative to create a young suicidal gay teenager. Relations between the oppressive society and its victims are discussed in the analysis of the narrative in focus. Finally, this work is developed through a bibliographical research, building bridges among literature, criticism and contemporary theories.