Recitatif Critical Analysis - 1312 Words

Throughout the first half of the semester, we have explored a number of themes and issues that pertain to literature that can best be described as â€Å"queer.† â€Å"Queer theory includes both queer readings of texts and the theorisation of queerness itself. Queer theory ‘focuses on mismatches between sex, gender and desire’. Giovanni’s room by James Baldwin, is a great example of sexual orientation, race, sex, heterosexuality, and whiteness. The main character, David, struggles with his sexuality. The author goes into great detail to show this. Toni Morrison’s, Recitatif, is another piece of literature that explores race, sex, whiteness etc†¦ The two main characters, Twyla and Roberta face challenges with race and class. Toni Morrison is an†¦show more content†¦Sometimes he seems at peace with it, for instance, when he’s around other homosexual men and other times he’s completely bothered by it. He recollects on his p ast with a man named Joey, who he shared his first sexual relations with. David has this idea of manhood that he doesn’t want to break. The idea of manhood and being attracted to women go hand and hand. David becomes so confused by his sexuality, he moves to Paris to try and figure out who he is as a person. Perhaps, as we say in America, I wanted to find myself. This is an interesting phrase, not current as far as I know in the language of any other people, which certainly does not mean what it says, but betrays a nagging suspicion that something has been misplaced (Morrison Pg 21). While David’s fiance is away out of the country, this gives him the opportunity to explore with men a little more. David meets Giovanni, a bartender, who is the one he exchanges sexual relations with. Giovanni’s room is where this occurs. The theme of masculinity comes up consistently throughout the book. David is unable to deal with his sexual orientation and the expectations of masculinity. In other words, his insecurities are caused by him being unable to achieve flawless masculinity because of his sexual attractions to men. It’s unclear if David is bisexual or completely gay. He is engaged to Hella, but I’m not sure if she is there for him to cover