File spoon-archives/french-feminism.archive/french-feminism_1996/96-10-07.165, message 197


Date: Wed, 11 Sep 1996 19:40:06 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Michelle Bauer (ENG)" <mbauer-AT-chuma.cas.usf.edu>
Subject: Re: drag



Hi Rita,

I daresay that "disturbing" may be a fairly apt description of Butler's
chapter on Paris is Burning. Although you probably didn't have time to
explain what you meant, let me offer up this tidbit for your (everyone's)
consideration:
	Pairs is Burning...calls into question whether parodying the
dominant norms is enough to displace them; indeed, whether the
denaturalization of gender cannot be the very vehicle for a
reconsolidation of hegemonic norms.  Although many readers understood
_Gender Trouble_ to be arguing for the proliferation of drag performances
as a way of subverting dominant gender norms, I want to underscore that
there is no necessary relation between drag and subversion, and that drag
may well be used in the service of both the denaturalization and
reidealization of hyberbolic heterosexual gender norms. (_Bodies that
Matter_ 125).

Perhaps I should clarify what I meant when I told Leah the article was
"useful".  Butler's assessment of the film is by no means a celebration of
it; in fact, I personally think she's being rather harsh.  But I did find
the article rather provocative, and think it's worth taking a look at.

Michelle

On Wed, 11 Sep 1996 dralfonso-AT-msuvx2.memphis.edu wrote:

> Michelle,
>
> You know that I found it no so much useful as disturbing.  Did anyone
> else get this sense?  But perhaps I should explain myself more....  rita
>
> On Wed, 11 Sep 1996, Michelle Bauer (ENG) wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > Hello Leah,
> >
> > With respect to "Paris is Burning," you may wish to check out Judith
> > Butler's recent book _Bodies that Matter_ (routledge).  She has a whole
> > chapter on the film, and I found it really quite useful.
> >
> > Michelle
> >
> > On Wed, 11 Sep 1996, Leah Sheppard wrote:
> >
> > > I'm about to begin researching a (short) paper on drag, too.  Starting
> > > with Paris is Burning.  Recommendations for critical essays would
> > > be most helpful to me.
> > >
> > > --LeaH
> > >
> > > >Could someone please refer me to any sort or genre of artistic works
> > > >dealing with gender mimicry, costuming, even drag? I'm starting
> > > >out by looking at Cindy Sherman's film stills. Thanks.
> > > >Sarah Blackwood
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >     --- from list french-feminism-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu ---
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >      --- from list french-feminism-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu ---
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >      --- from list french-feminism-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu ---
> >
>
>
>      --- from list french-feminism-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu ---
>



     --- from list french-feminism-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu ---


   

Driftline Main Page

 

Display software: ArchTracker © Malgosia Askanas, 2000-2005