Queering Memory and National Identity in Transcultural U.S. Literature and Culture PDF
Preview Queering Memory and National Identity in Transcultural U.S. Literature and Culture
AMERICAN LITERATURE READINGS IN THE 21ST CENTURY Queering Memory and National Identity in Transcultural U.S. Literature and Culture Christopher W. Clark American Literature Readings in the 21st Century Series Editor Linda Wagner-Martin University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, NC, USA American Literature Readings in the 21st Century publishes works by contemporary critics that help shape critical opinion regarding literature of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries in the United States. More information about this series at http://www.palgrave.com/gp/series/14765 Christopher W. Clark Queering Memory and National Identity in Transcultural U.S. Literature and Culture Christopher W. Clark School of Humanities University of Hertfordshire Hatfield, UK American Literature Readings in the 21st Century ISBN 978-3-030-52113-4 ISBN 978-3-030-52114-1 (eBook) https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-52114-1 © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are solely and exclusively licensed by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, expressed or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. The publisher remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Cover illustration: Jena Ardell / Getty Images This Palgrave Macmillan imprint is published by the registered company Springer Nature Switzerland AG. The registered company address is: Gewerbestrasse 11, 6330 Cham, Switzerland For Gail Leadingham, who kept believing in me. A cknowledgment This book would not have been possible without the insight and wisdom of so many people. You all have no idea how much you have impacted on me and how much faith you have given me in myself and this project. Sarah Garland and Hilary Emmett, you have gone above and beyond without a moment’s hesitation, taking me on late in my research while steering me faithfully into the challenges of postdoctoral life. I owe you a debt of gratitude. Andrew Dix and Brian Jarvis, your early support and witty and astute insights helped me push the work in important and new directions. Sinéad Moynihan and Jamie Hakim, your attentive and discerning readings helped me greatly in formulating this book. Thanks to everyone at Palgrave Macmillan for giving me a home for my work, especially Allie Troyanos and Linda Wagner-Martin, whose support made the editorial process a smooth one. A special thank you to my reader, whose comments and suggestions were so hugely helpful in getting the book to publication. My route into academia was sparked by the passion of so many people. Thanks to Gerry Hough, Sandeep Parmar, Caroline Blinder, Russ and Gail McDonald, Catherine Humble, Charlotte Scott, and Tiffany Atkinson. Each and every one of you provided classes that were a joy to be part of. For always having an open door, special mention to Jack Underwood. It would be remiss of me not to mention my colleagues at the Interdisciplinary Institute of Humanities and the School of Art, Media and American Studies at the University of East Anglia, the School of Humanities at the University of Hertfordshire, and the Centre for English vii viii ACKNOWLEDGMENT Language Education at the University of Nottingham. Zoë Cross, you must be singled out for your unyielding ability to keep me organized while working through my doctorate. To all of you who provided insightful discussion and support: Tess Christensen, Jon Ward, Sanchia Rodriguez, Sarah Daniel, Monika Leowy, Ananda Grace, Daisy Henwood, Lewis Buxton, and Jessica Rapson—thank you to each of you for being there in your own special way. Then there are those of you who have been there for some time, providing open and honest support through numerous rabbit holes. We’ve all taken such varied paths but somehow can still find each other among all the twists and turns that life brings: Marie Ferguson, Hollie Ritchie, Tom Henson, and Sam Lane. Hugs and treats to my special com- panions Coco and Freddie. Finally, to Christopher Lloyd: I have enjoyed more than words can express our adventure together. You put up with my idiosyncrasies without batting an eyelid, and your love, support, generosity, and intellect have meant so much, and have proven invaluable over the years. I love and thank you with all my heart, although it’s nowhere near what you deserve. And remember, we’ll always have Florida. c ontents 1 I ntroduction 1 The US State and 9/11 9 Queer Studies and Identity 14 The Global State 16 Chapters 17 References 20 2 American Avengers 25 God-Given Freedoms 30 Demarcating Spaces 39 Banal Aesthetics 47 Acknowledgment 56 References 59 3 We Could Be Heroes 63 Violent Animals 70 Multivalent Displacements 76 Relating Failure 81 Traversing Borders 93 References 101 4 Black Sites: Restraining and Sustaining the Queer Subject 105 Dark Implications 109 ix x CONTENTS Resistance and Retaliations 116 Queer Control 124 Empathetic Palimpsests 133 References 141 5 Emergent Queers: The “American Immigrant” and the US State 145 Mythical Movement 148 Community and Belonging 155 Normative Legacies 164 Battling Fantasies 172 References 178 6 Conclusion 183 References 190 Index 193
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