Affective Worldmaking: Narrative Counterpublics of Gender and Sexuality

This edited collection explores the power of narrative in constructing gender and sexuality subjectivities,the role of affect in times of crisis,and the possibilities and limitations of affect theory in cultural studies.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 238 pages
Publication date: 15 March 2022
Publisher: Transcript Verlag

This edited collection brings together essays on affect and narrative theory with a focus on the topics of gender and sexuality. It explores the power of narrative in literature, film, art, performance, and mass media, the construction of subjectivities of gender and sexuality, and the role of affect in times of crisis. By combining theoretical, literary, and analytical texts, the contributors offer methodological impulses and reflect on the possibilities and limitations of affect theory in cultural studies.

Gender and sexuality are complex and multifaceted phenomena that have been the subject of much scholarly inquiry and debate. This edited collection seeks to contribute to this ongoing discussion by exploring the relationship between affect and narrative theory in the context of these topics. Affect, as defined by psychologists such as William James and Sigmund Freud, refers to the subjective experience of emotions, sensations, and thoughts that are often unconscious and outside of our conscious control. Narrative, on the other hand, is a method of storytelling that involves the construction of characters, plots, and themes to convey meaning and engage the audience.

The essays in this collection explore the ways in which affect and narrative theory can be used to understand the construction of gender and sexuality. They examine how narrative can shape our understanding of gender and sexuality, how it can be used to challenge dominant discourses, and how it can create spaces for the expression of counterpublics. The contributors to this collection come from a range of disciplines, including literary criticism, film studies, art history, and cultural studies. They use a variety of theoretical frameworks, including feminist theory, queer theory, and postcolonial theory, to analyze the relationship between affect and narrative.

One of the key themes that emerges from the essays in this collection is the power of narrative to shape our understanding of gender and sexuality. Narrative can be used to reinforce dominant discourses, such as the idea that men are dominant and women are submissive, or it can be used to challenge these discourses and create new ways of understanding gender and sexuality. For example, some feminist scholars have argued that traditional narratives of gender and sexuality are often patriarchal and heteronormative and that they reinforce the idea that women are inferior to men. By challenging these narratives through the use of alternative narratives, such as those that center on the experiences of women and LGBTQ+ individuals, we can create new ways of understanding gender and sexuality that are more inclusive and diverse.

Another theme that emerges from the essays in this collection is the role of affect in the construction of gender and sexuality. Affect, as defined by psychologists such as James and Freud, refers to the subjective experience of emotions, sensations, and thoughts that are often unconscious and outside of our conscious control. Narrative, as a method of storytelling, can be used to evoke and manipulate affect in order to create powerful and meaningful experiences for the audience. For example, films that depict intense emotional scenes, such as romantic comedies or dramas, can evoke strong emotions in the audience and create a sense of connection between the characters and the audience. This emotional connection can then be used to shape the audience's understanding of gender and sexuality.

The essays in this collection also explore the ways in which affect can be used to create spaces for the expression of counterpublics. Counterpublics are groups of individuals who challenge dominant discourses and create new ways of understanding gender and sexuality. These groups often use narrative to express their experiences and to create a sense of community and belonging. For example, LGBTQ+ communities have used narrative to create a sense of identity and to challenge dominant discourses that marginalize and stigmatize these communities. By creating spaces for the expression of counterpublics through narrative, we can create new ways of understanding gender and sexuality that are more inclusive and diverse.

However, the essays in this collection also raise important questions about the limitations of affect and narrative theory in the context of gender and sexuality. One of the challenges is the tendency. The essays in this collection also raise important questions about the limitations of affect and narrative theory in the context of gender and sexuality. One of the challenges is the tendency to essentialize gender and sexuality, which can lead to the erasure of complex and nuanced experiences. For example, some feminist scholars have argued that the concept of gender is too broad and abstract to be useful in understanding the experiences of women and LGBTQ+ individuals, and that it can be used to perpetuate harmful stereotypes and biases. Similarly, some queer theorists have argued that the concept of sexuality is too narrow and rigid to be useful in understanding the experiences of individuals who do not identify as heterosexual or homosexual.

Another challenge is the potential for narrative to reinforce dominant discourses. While narrative can be used to challenge dominant discourses, it can also be used to perpetuate them. For example, some films and television shows that depict LGBTQ+ characters as stereotypes or villains can reinforce harmful stereotypes and biases. Similarly, some narratives that depict women as passive and submissive can reinforce the idea that women are inferior to men.

Despite these challenges, the essays in this collection offer valuable insights into the relationship between affect and narrative theory in the context of gender and sexuality. They demonstrate the ways in which narrative can be used to challenge dominant discourses, create new ways of understanding gender and sexuality, and create spaces for the expression of counterpublics. They also raise important questions about the limitations of these approaches and the need for ongoing scholarship and debate in this area.

In conclusion, this edited collection brings together essays on affect and narrative theory with a focus on the topics of gender and sexuality. It explores the power of narrative in literature, film, art, performance, and mass media, the construction of subjectivities of gender and sexuality, and the role of affect in times of crisis. By combining theoretical, literary, and analytical texts, the contributors offer methodological impulses and reflect on the possibilities and limitations of affect theory in cultural studies. While there are challenges to these approaches, they offer valuable insights into the relationship between affect and narrative theory in the context of gender and sexuality and the potential for these approaches to create new ways of understanding and challenging dominant discourses.

Dimension: 225 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783837661415