Wednesday, April 9, 2008
By the by...
So, while we are starting the paper topic moment, I figure that I should put mine out there, so you all may discuss and give me ideas. I actually first thought of this while Andy and I were talking about the queerness in this book in class on Wednesday. Later, Casey and I started talking about it and it all sort of evolved. I was struck by the relationships of Strange/Norrell, and also the gentleman/Stephen. I figure I will discuss these man couples (sorry Janessa) and compare them to the relationships of Strange and Arabella, along with the gentleman and the ladies that he steals. I think that Clarke is trying to make a point about relationships and the importance male relationships. Truthfully, the relationship between Strange and Norrell is much stronger than the one between Strange and Arabella, and I would like to analyze why I think that Clarke is making that point and what it means. So, yeah, somewhat vague, but it's easier to think it in my head than type it out. But I promise that the paper sounds amazing in my head! Okay, catch you kids later. Let me know what you think!
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5 comments:
I'd like to add a lady couple to the mix: Lady Pole and Arabella. Remember when Jonathan finally found Arabella and she kept asking Lady Pole for advice? I think Jonathan even remarks that by that time she had learned to turn to someone other than him for comfort. They would also presumably stay close after Jonathan left leaving each of these 2 couples together.
I dont know if their relationship may be as significant because it was towards the end but you might also look at the Arabella and Flora.
I wouldn't have thought about Flora. I'll look into that. Yeah, I was definitely going to use Lady Pole and Arabella, if only to compare with the man couples. I really feel as if the relationships are inferior to Strange and Norrell's, which is why I'm making the point about gender in relationships and such. I feel like a dork, though, because I've already started writing the paper. That has never happened to me! But since I thought of it last week, I've been so excited about writing it that I couldn't help but start! This paper is definitely my baby!
man couples.............yeesh...
:-P
This is a fine paper topic, as demonstrated by the posted comments and by Amy's ahead-of-time writing enthusiasm.
I am reminded of the critic Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick's description of the "homosocial triangle" -- two men expressing their forbidden desire for one another (forbidden not only by their society but by their own psyches) by finding a woman they can fight over, and onto whom they can project all their homoerotic impulses. And I think Sedgwick originally formulated this idea in writing about 19th-century fiction, so reading the Lady Pole plotline or the Arabella plotline of JS&MN with one of Sedgwick's books or articles at your elbow would be very interesting.
Did you have any particular queer theorist in mind, Amy, to use as a crowbar in tackling this mass o' material? Picking one to apply throughout would be a great help in keeping you focused.
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