Henry James and Sexuality [Paperback]

First application of 'queer theory' to Henry James; provides a radical and original interpretation of all his writings.Henry James and Sexuality offers a bold, new interpretation of James's fiction. Hugh Stevens argues that James's writing contains daring and radical representations of transgressive desires and marginalized sexual identities. He demonstrates the importance of incestuous desire, masochistic fantasy, and same-sex passions in a body of fiction which ostensibly conforms to, while ironically mocking, the contemporary moral and publishing codes James faced. This original and exciting work will transform our understanding of this most enigmatic of writers.Henry James and Sexuality offers a bold, new interpretation of James's fiction. Hugh Stevens argues that James's writing contains daring and radical representations of transgressive desires and marginalized sexual identities. He demonstrates the importance of incestuous desire, masochistic fantasy, and same-sex passions in a body of fiction which ostensibly conforms to, while ironically mocking, the contemporary moral and publishing codes James faced. This original and exciting work will transform our understanding of this most enigmatic of writers.Henry James and Sexuality offers a bold, new interpretation of James' fiction. Hugh Stevens argues that James' writing contains daring and radical representations of transgressive desires and marginalized sexual identities. He demonstrates the importance of incestuous desire, masochistic fantasy, and same-sex passions in a body of fiction that ostensibly conforms to, while ironically mocking, the contemporary moral and publishing codes James faced. This original and exciting work will transform our understanding of this most enigmatic of writers.1. Henry James and the languages of sex; 2. Gender and representation in The Wings of the Dove; 3. Sexuality and the aesthetic in The Golden Bowl; 4. The Eroticism of prohibition: masochism and the law in Roderick Hudsol1