Lesbianism and literature seem almost obviously linked – after all, the
term itself derives from the island home of the Greek poetess Sappho,
whose surviving writing focused on the beauty and love of women. At the
same time, attempts to further describe this link quickly become faced
with the problem of definition: what exactly makes a literary text a
specifically lesbian one?
This project tutorial intends to
explore this question within the context of Anglo-American history and
literary tradition. Students will not only explore literary texts
published throughout the 20th century but also queer and feminist
approaches to sexuality and literary analysis. The guiding principle for
this exploration will be an understanding of both literary production
and reception as being shaped by social circumstances.
- Course owner: Clara Bettine Fiedler