Queer Theory

Posted by anjila | Posted in | Posted on 11:54 PM

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The word "queer" in queer theory has some of these connotations, particularly its alignments with ideas about homosexuality. Queer Theory is brand new branch of study or theoretical speculation; it has only been named as an area since about 1991. Queer Theory emerges from gay/lesbian' studies attention to the social construction of categories of normative and sexual behavior. But while gay/ lesbian studies, as the name implies, focused largely on questions of homosexuality, queer theory expands its realm of investigation. Queer theory looks at, and studies, and has a political critique of, anything that falls into normative and deviant categories, particularly sexual activities and identities. The word "queer", as it appears in the dictionary, has a primary meaning of "odd", "peculiar", "out of ordinary."

Queer Theory concerns itself with any and all forms of sexuality that are "queer" in this sense- and then, by extension, with the normative behaviors and identities which define what is "queer"(by being their binary opposites). Thus queer theory expands the scope of it's analysis to all kinds of behaviors, including those which are gender-bending as well as those which involve "queer" non-formative forms of sexuality. Queer theory insists that all sexual behaviours, all concepts linking sexual behaviours to sexual identities, and all categories of normative and deviant sexualities, are social constructs sets of signifier which create certain type of social meaning. Queer theory follows feminist theory and gay/lesbian studies in the idea that sexuality is an essentialist category , something determined by biology or judged by eternal standards of morality and truth. For queer theorists, sexuality is a complex group of social codes and forces, forms of individual activity and institutional power, which interact to shape the ideas of what is normative and what is deviant at any particular moment, and which then operate under the rubric of what is "natural", "essential", "biological", or"god-given".

Figurative Language

Posted by anjila | Posted in | Posted on 11:24 PM

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There are for types of Figurative Language. They are:
  1. Image:
    Image is a word or words that refer to an object perceived by the senses such as color, shape, sound, taste, smell, texture, etc. When it is seen by the eye(usually) it is called an image.
    e.g. Red flag is an image of anger.

    There is always a literal and emotive meaning behind an image.
    e.g. Cloud(image): It's literal meaning illustrates that it is a cloudy day whereas it's emotive meaning expresses that sadness is approaching.

  2. Symbol:
    Where image comes repeatedly in a text it becomes a symbol. Just like image, even symbols have literal and emotive meaning.
    e.g. Spring and Autumn: Literal Meaning- Seasons
    Emotive Meaning- Spring reflects birth or rebirth.
    Autumn reflects process of dying.
    Symbol is similar to abstract idea it stands for. Sometimes symbol can be private. In such case only author understands what symbol he/she is using. However, Symbol should match with theme. While analyzing a text we should see if the formal elements enhance the theme no matter even if its a private symbol. Authorial intention is not a concern in this matter.

  3. Metaphor:
    Unlike image and symbol, metaphor only has figurative meaning. Metaphor is direct comparison between two dissimilar objects.
    e.g. My love is a rose.
    Literal meaning: I am deeply is love with a flower.
    Emotive/ Figurative Meaning: My love share some qualities with rose.

  4. Simile:
    Simile is a comparison of two dissimilar objects using words such as "like"and "as"
    e.g. My love is as beautiful as a rose.
    My brother is like a gem

    Note: Simile is rather softer than metaphor because in metaphor comparison is direct whereas in simile, the comparison is done by using words like "like" and "as".

Four Linguistic Devices

Posted by anjila | Posted in | Posted on 10:44 PM

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The four types of linguistic devices are:
  1. Paradox:
    It is a self contradictory statement whose underlying meaning is revealed by careful scrutiny (deep analysis). It seems absurd surfacially but makes good sense.
    For e.g
    • One must lose one's life to go to heaven.
      It's meaning is: By giving up materialistic life you will gain something better. After losing materialistic life we will gain actual spiritual life.
    • You don't know what you've got till it's gone(everyday language)
      It's meaning is: The value of things is only realized only when we lose it
    New Critics noticed that paradox is highly used to define spiritual and psychological realities of life which are paradoxical in nature itself. So they are responsible in bringing complexity which is portrait in literature.

  2. Irony:
    In this linguistic device, real intent is concealed or contradicted by literal meaning of words or situations. It reveals flaws indirectly which is usually tragic in nature unlike satires which is humorous even though it point out the flaws. Irony hides the actual case not in order to deceive but to achieve special artistic affects. There are two types of irony

    a) Verbal Irony:
    Verbal Irony is the statement in which the meaning that the speaker implies differs shortly from the meaning that is expressed. It arises from an awareness of contrast between "what is" and "what ought to be."

    b) Dramatic Irony:
    Dramatic Irony involves in a play which the audience or reader share the awareness of fate store for the characters they do not suspect. The result if Irony is a complexity of meaning.

  3. Ambiguity:
    Ambiguity is the us of single word or expression to signify two or more diverse attitude or feelings. It is produced when a word image or event generates two or more different meanings.
    e.g. In Toni Morrison's "Beloved" there is an image of tree produced by a scar on Sethe's back refer to suffering, endurance and renewal.

    In scientific and everyday language, ambiguity is considered to be a flaw/ error/ mistake. But in literary language, ambiguity is source of richness, depth and complexity that enhance the value of the text.

  4. Tension:
    Tension is a device that creates complexity where opposites like concrete and abstract are linked to bring forth specific images.
    e.g
    Abstract: Peace
    Concrete: White flag, Dove
    Such concrete universals where images and characters are meaningful both at physical and symbolic level are forms of tension. Interplay between paradox, irony and ambiguity bring forth tension.