Subject: Re: Eskimo question
From: Andrew Kennis (kennis@math.grin.edu)
Date: Mon Feb 24 1997 - 21:16:57 GMT
On Mon, 24 Feb 1997, Jeff Ross wrote:
> If J.D. wanted a homosexual character in one of his stories, then how do
> YOU think he would indicate to the reader that such a character was
> homosexual? That is without using steriotypes.
Uhhhh, maybe he would have the character openly admit as much. Maybe he
would have a third party directly reveal it. Maybe he would refer to a
same sex partner. Maybe he could mention an outing to a homosexual
establishment (i.e. gay bar). There are a plethora of ways that JDS could
have made it known though, however, without using stereotypical
assumptions about homosexuals.
> Such indicators such as certain characters being of the upper class. Does he
> not use steriotypical drinks, gestures and conversations to portray Mary
> Jane and Eloise in Uncle Wiggly? Or the spoiled little girl in Bananafish?
Hmmmmmmmmmm, you seem to be unaware of the distinction between cultural
and socio-economic/class traits/norms, and stereotypes. There indeed is
a profound difference. Crossing your legs is only a stereotypical
indication of homosexuality. A cultural trait that has seemed to have
developed in the homosexual community, is that of an appreciation for the arts.
Once again, high pitched voices and "referring to the 'Beauty and the Beast'
numerous times", are stereotypical indicators. They are *most certainly
not* cultural traits and I would posit that they are not even accurate.
> Are we to assume that JD did not want to ever incoperate a homosexual in
> any of his stories?
Uh, no, we aren't to assume that, necessarily. Remember what my point
was.....it wasn't even whether or not Eric, in "Eskimos", was homosexual
My point was that JDS would not use stereotypes (or at least I hope
and expect he wouldn't) to indicate to the reader that someone was
homosexual. Paul's justifications for his presumption that Eric was a
homosexual, were all stereotypes.
> Because the only way to have a homosexual
> character is to either indicate him by speach or indicate him by the way he acts.
> No?
>
I listed several ways that JDS could indicate to us that someone was
homosexual, without using stereotypical indicators.
--AK
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