Advances in Literary Study

Volume 5, Issue 1 (January 2017)

ISSN Print: 2327-4034   ISSN Online: 2327-4050

Google-based Impact Factor: 0.23  Citations  

Queer Space in Herman Melville’s Typee

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DOI: 10.4236/als.2017.51003    2,079 Downloads   4,884 Views  
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ABSTRACT

The queer space in Herman Melville’s first book Typee is primarily constructed around two recurring queer motifs: the erotic male body and the all-male loving couple. The sexual panic of the protagonist Tommo is manifested in his interactions with Typee males. His final escape from Typee island signals a surrender of his queer nature to his Christian spirit. The wretched end of Typee reveals Melville’s pessimistic view on being a queer—there is no possibility for queer relationships to sustain. By utilizing a queer discourse, Melville attacks the sexually repressive Western culture and expresses his concern about the destiny of the marginalized queers in his time. As a queer writer living in the 19th century America, Melville calls for a tolerant and humane society in which queer love can be valued and respected.

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Jun, Q. (2017) Queer Space in Herman Melville’s Typee. Advances in Literary Study, 5, 22-28. doi: 10.4236/als.2017.51003.

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