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Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick

Tendencies

"Tendencies," published in 1993, is a groundbreaking collection of essays by renowned literary critic and queer theorist Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick. In this work, Sedgwick continues to build upon her previous scholarship, most notably her book "Epistemology of the Closet," while also expanding her theoretical framework to encompass a wider range of topics and disciplines. The book is divided into three sections: "Queer Performativity," "AIDS: Keywords," and "White Glasses." In the first section, Sedgwick explores the concept of performativity, drawing on the work of J.L. Austin and Judith Butler, to examine the ways in which queer identities are constructed and performed. In the second section, she turns her attention to the AIDS crisis, offering a nuanced and incisive analysis of the cultural and political discourses surrounding the disease. The final section, "White Glasses," is a deeply personal and moving account of Sedgwick's experiences with breast cancer. Throughout the book, Sedgwick demonstrates her remarkable ability to weave together insights from a diverse array of fields, including literary theory, psychoanalysis, feminism, and Marxism. She also exhibits a keen awareness of the power dynamics that shape our understanding of sexuality, illness, and identity. One of the key contributions of "Tendencies" is Sedgwick's development of the concept of "reparative reading." Unlike "paranoid reading," which assumes that all texts contain hidden meanings that must be uncovered, reparative reading emphasizes the importance of attending to the pleasures and possibilities that texts offer. This approach allows Sedgwick to engage with a wide range of texts in a more open-ended and generative way, and it has had a profound impact on the field of queer studies. In summary, "Tendencies" is a landmark work of queer theory that offers a rich and complex account of the ways in which sexuality, illness, and identity intersect. Sedgwick's incisive analysis, innovative theoretical framework, and personal reflections make this book a must-read for anyone interested in queer studies, literary theory, or cultural criticism.