Honors Theses

Advisor

David J. Fine

Department

English

Publication Date

4-26-2020

Document Type

Honors Thesis

Abstract

At its best, queer theory exposes how reproductive heteronormativity functions to write gendered relational scripts ordered around roles of dominance and submission, but often queer theorists respond to the problematic relationships they identify with retreat and resignation. This thesis takes a different approach by looking to stories collected through a month of interviews at the border in El Paso, Texas in order to explore a queer ethic of repair which, through Iris Murdoch’s conception of love as “really looking,” disrupts and rewrites hegemonic relational scripts. First, I investigate the role reproductive heteronormativity plays in shaping hierarchical and patriarchal notions of citizenship, immigration policy, community organization, and national belonging, Then I look to the ways queer kinships enables alternate ways of forming relationships around solidarity, and I end with a discussion of the communities these queer relationships make possible. Ultimately, I argue that by disrupting hegemonic relational scripts and pushing us toward the particulars of one another, queerness makes loving communities and relationships possible.

Permission Statement

This item is protected by copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code) and may only be used for noncommercial, educational, and scholarly purposes.

Keywords

Undergraduate research

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