Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion of Identity Study Guide & Plot Synopsis

Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion of Identity Plot Summary

Preview of Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion of Identity Summary:

Judith Butler's Gender Trouble begins with a seemingly simple question. In recent years, many feminists have defended the idea of a concrete feminine identity because they believe it is crucial for advancing the interests of women. Without a focal point conception of women, feminist identity politics would not be possible. However, as Butler points out, there are various postmodern and post-structuralist reasons to worry about the very idea of concrete identities much less the idea of well-defined, non-social conceptual boundaries. So, this leads to Butler's focal question: Can feminist identity politics survive without a feminist identity?

To answer the question, Butler focuses almost exclusively on questions surrounding the construction of feminine identity, rather than equally weighting this deconstruction with an analysis of feminist organizational tactics, political doctrines and so on. Thus, the book's three chapters focus on a gradual critique of the feminine identity as having a concrete form.

Chapter...
(read more)