Heterosexuality in Literature & Literary Theory

Heterosexuality: Etymology/Term, Meanings and Concept

Heterosexuality: Etymology/Term

The term “heterosexuality” has its roots in Greek etymology, where “hetero” means “different” and “sexuality” pertains to sexual orientation. Coined in the late 19th century, it emerged as a counterpart to “homosexuality,” signifying sexual attraction and relationships between individuals of different genders.

Meanings and Concept:

• Attraction to the Opposite Gender: Heterosexuality denotes a sexual orientation characterized by romantic and sexual attraction to individuals of the opposite gender. This attraction forms the basis for heterosexual relationships.
• Social and Cultural Dimensions: Beyond personal attractions, heterosexuality often carries social and cultural dimensions. Normative expectations, traditional gender roles, and societal structures have historically influenced how heterosexuality is perceived and practiced.
• Binary Framework: Heterosexuality, within a binary framework, assumes a clear distinction between male and female genders. This binary perspective has been critiqued for oversimplifying the diversity of human sexuality.
• Intersectionality: The concept of heterosexuality intersects with other aspects of identity, such as race, ethnicity, and socio-economic factors, shaping individuals’ experiences and societal expectations within diverse cultural contexts.
• Historical Evolution: The understanding and acceptance of heterosexuality have evolved over time, influenced by changing cultural norms and attitudes towards diverse sexual orientations. As society progresses, there is ongoing discourse on expanding the inclusivity of sexual identities beyond the heteronormative framework.

Heterosexuality: Definition of a Theoretical Term

Heterosexuality, as a theoretical term, refers to a sexual orientation characterized by an individual’s romantic and sexual attraction to individuals of the opposite gender. Rooted in the etymology where “hetero” signifies “different,” heterosexuality encompasses the cultural, social, and personal dimensions of relationships between individuals of different genders. Within a theoretical framework, it assumes a binary understanding of gender and serves as a counterpart to other sexual orientations within the spectrum of human sexuality.

Heterosexuality: Theorists, Works and Arguments

1. Sigmund Freud:
   • Work: “Three Essays on the Theory of Sexuality” (1905)
   • Argument: Freud explored the development of sexual orientation, introducing concepts like the Oedipus complex and emphasizing the importance of heterosexuality in normative psychosexual development.
2. Alfred Kinsey:
   • Work: “Sexual Behavior in the Human Male” (1948) and “Sexual Behavior in the Human Female” (1953)
   • Argument: Kinsey’s groundbreaking research on human sexuality contributed empirical data, challenging societal norms and providing a foundation for understanding sexual diversity, including heterosexuality.
3. Adrienne Rich:
   • Work: “Compulsory Heterosexuality and Lesbian Existence” (1980)
   • Argument: Rich critiqued the societal imposition of heterosexuality as the norm, coining the term “compulsory heterosexuality” to highlight the pressure on individuals to conform to heterosexual relationships, thereby questioning its ubiquity.
4. Judith Butler:
   • Work: “Gender Trouble” (1990)
   • Argument: Butler’s work on gender performativity challenged traditional notions of heterosexuality by deconstructing the binary understanding of gender, emphasizing the socially constructed nature of sexual identities.
5. Michael Foucault:
   • Work: “The History of Sexuality” (1976)
   • Argument: Foucault examined the historical development of sexuality and argued that heterosexuality, as a construct, was shaped by social institutions, reinforcing power dynamics and normative expectations.

These theorists and their works collectively contribute to this discourse, offering perspectives ranging from psychoanalysis and empirical research to critiques of societal norms and the deconstruction of gender binaries.

Heterosexuality: Major Characteristics

1. Attraction to Opposite Gender:
   • Heterosexuality is characterized by a predominant romantic and sexual attraction to individuals of the opposite gender. This attraction forms the foundation for intimate relationships.
2. Normative Cultural Expectations:
   • It often aligns with normative cultural expectations, reflecting historical societal norms that have traditionally perceived heterosexual relationships as the conventional or expected mode of romantic involvement.
3. Binary Gender Framework:
   • Heterosexuality is commonly understood within a binary gender framework, assuming a clear distinction between male and female. This binary perspective has historical roots but is critiqued for oversimplifying the diverse spectrum of human gender identities.
4. Reproductive Potential:
   • Heterosexuality is often associated with reproductive potential, given its alignment with traditional family structures. This association has historical and cultural significance, linking heterosexual relationships to procreation.
5. Historical and Cultural Variability:
   • The characteristics of heterosexuality exhibit historical and cultural variability, evolving over time as societal attitudes toward sexuality, gender roles, and relationship dynamics undergo shifts and transformations.
6. Intersectionality:
   • Heterosexuality intersects with other aspects of identity, such as race, ethnicity, and socio-economic factors, influencing individuals’ experiences within the broader context of diverse cultural and social environments.
7. Discourse on Heteronormativity:
   • The concept of heterosexuality is closely tied to discussions on heteronormativity, where societal structures reinforce the presumption that heterosexuality is the default or preferred sexual orientation.
8. Legal and Social Recognition:
   • In many societies, heterosexual relationships often receive legal and social recognition, with marriage and family laws historically designed to accommodate and regulate heterosexual unions.

Understanding the major characteristics of heterosexuality involves recognizing its historical, cultural, and social dimensions, as well as its intersection with broader discussions on gender, sexuality, and societal norms.

Heterosexuality: Relevance in Literary Theories

Literary Theory	Relevance of Heterosexuality
Feminist Criticism	Examines how traditional gender roles, often associated with heterosexual norms, shape literature and reinforce or challenge societal expectations.
Queer Theory	Critiques and deconstructs normative ideas about sexuality, including heterosexuality, questioning its dominance and exploring alternative perspectives within literature.
Psychoanalytic Theory	Explores the influence of heterosexual norms on characters’ psychological development, drawing from Freudian concepts such as the Oedipus complex and sexual identity formation.
Marxist Criticism	Analyzes how economic structures and power dynamics intersect with heteronormativity in literature, exploring how societal norms, including heterosexual ones, may serve specific class interests.
Postcolonial Theory	Investigates how colonial histories and heteronormative values intersect, impacting representations of heterosexuality and sexuality within postcolonial literature.
Reader-Response Theory	Examines how readers’ interpretations of texts, influenced by cultural and personal contexts, contribute to the construction and reinforcement of heteronormative ideals present in literature.

Heterosexuality: Application in Critiques

1. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen:
   • Application: It is a central theme in Austen’s novel, where societal expectations and norms surrounding heterosexual relationships are scrutinized. The characters navigate the pressures of courtship, marriage, and social standing, offering a critique of the rigid heteronormative structures prevalent in the 19th-century English society depicted in the novel.
2. Brokeback Mountain by Annie Proulx:
   • Application: Proulx’s novella challenges traditional notions by portraying a complex, forbidden love affair between two men. The narrative explores societal prejudices, internal struggles, and the impact of heteronormative expectations, providing a critique of the limitations imposed by such norms on individuals’ authentic expressions of love.
3. The Color Purple by Alice Walker:
   • Application: In Walker’s novel, the exploration of it is interwoven with themes of gender, race, and power dynamics. The protagonist, Celie, undergoes a transformative journey, challenging societal expectations regarding heterosexual relationships and finding her own agency in defining her identity and desires.
4. Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf:
   • Application: Woolf’s modernist exploration delves into the complexities of within the context of post-World War I England. The novel critiques societal norms surrounding marriage and relationships, offering a nuanced portrayal of characters navigating the constraints and expectations associated with heteronormative ideals during that era.

In these literary works, the application in critiques extends beyond mere representation, engaging with societal expectations, power dynamics, and individual agency, thereby offering insightful commentary on the complexities of heterosexual relationships within diverse contexts.

Heterosexuality: Relevant Terms

Term	Definition
Heteronormativity	Assumption that heterosexuality is societal norm, shaping expectations.
Compulsory Heterosexuality	Societal pressure enforcing engagement in heterosexual relationships.
Gender Roles	Societal norms dictating behaviors and expectations based on gender.
Sexual Identity	Individual’s self-conception and expression of heterosexual orientation.
Power Dynamics	Examination of imbalances influenced by heteronormative structures in literature.
Authenticity	Exploration of characters’ genuine expressions challenging normative expectations.
Alternative Narratives	Introduction of diverse, non-traditional narratives challenging heteronormativity.
Intersectionality	Recognition of how multiple identities intersect, influencing experiences.

Heterosexuality: Suggested Readings

1. Butler, Judith. Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion of Identity. Routledge, 1990.
2. Coontz, Stephanie. Marriage, A History: How Love Conquered Marriage. Viking, 2005.
3. Foucault, Michel. The History of Sexuality, Volume 1: An Introduction. Vintage Books, 1990.
4. Halberstam, Jack. Female Masculinity. Duke University Press, 1998.
5. Rubin, Gayle. Thinking Sex: Notes for a Radical Theory of the Politics of Sexuality. University of Chicago Press, 1984.
6. Weeks, Jeffrey. The World We Have Won: The Remaking of Erotic and Intimate Life. Routledge, 2007.