In my exploratory draft I am trying to explore Wallace’s use of transvestism and homosexuality in the novel Infinite Jest. The character of Steeply, our US agent dressed as a woman, is one prime example. What does Wallace gain from making Steeply crossdress? How does that connect to the other examples in the novel, Poor Tony, U.S.S. Millicent Kent’s father? Wallace’s uses humor throughout the novel and my contention is that he is using transvestism as a source of comedy. I see the fact that *Spoiler Alert* most of the characters believe Steeply is actually a woman as the kind of low-brow humor we see in Mrs. Doubtfire and Big Momma’s House. He may be aiming for Shakespeare, but I clearly disagree. Then the representation of transvestism through Poor Tony and Millicent Kent’s father is even more damaging. Poor Tony’s situation only gets worse and worse. Wallace’s attempts to write homosexual characters seem to veer to the sterotypically butch (Ann Kittenplan, Millicent Kent) or to sexual violence. At times, the character and characterizations seem pointless. At one point a homosexual character is introduced, he flashes back to being violated by his father, and then the character is never mentioned again. Is the scene a sucker punch to the gut? An easy shock? That is the essence of what I am exploring. I am hoping to include other writing by Wallace. He examines sexual relationships and compulsions in a lot of his short stories. Also, to perhaps include other white heterosexual male writers of his generation. My hope would be his uses of sexuality are part of a trend amongst that select circle of writers. That would be ideal. Any suggestions/questions/directions?
October 29, 2009 at 3:50 pm |
Sean,
I think this idea is very interesting. I didn’t really think of Wallace as a writer enamored with using tranvestism or homosexuality before. But then again, I haven’t read enough of his work to judge. Does he do this in other stories as well? I know you mentioned his short stories above, but wasn’t sure if he includes transvestism and homosexuality in those. This sounds like an interesting paper topic and I wish you the best of luck:)
October 29, 2009 at 4:22 pm |
Sean,
I thought of the transvestite characters when Danielle was talking about the depcitions of women in the novel. I was wondering if she would include them as characterizations of women or not. Your idea of exploring those characters is very interesting and partnering them with Wallace’s characterization of homosexual characters should prove provacative. I’m not sure who I would consider Wallace’s peers. I’ll try to wade through my memories and see if I can think of any other authors that depict transvestites or homosexual characters. What first came to mind was Carson McCullers and her depiction of the “queer.” Then I started thinking about television, like Drew Carey’s brother and Billy Crystal on Soap.
October 30, 2009 at 8:59 pm |
Sean,
In reading your topic, I am reminded *SPOILER ALERT* of the graphic scene between the young boy and the older man (I believe this is somewhat later in the narrative). I guess one of the questions I would like to see answered is, what does it say about Infinite Jest if, as you suggest, the author confines his treatment of homosexuals/transvestites as literary foils? How would one read his treatment from the perspective of Queer Theory? And do his other writings show a parallel treatment of the topic or a radical departure? Good luck.
Randy