Agender in Literature & Literary Theory

Agender: Etymology, Meanings and Concept

Etymology/Term:

The term “agender” is a neologism derived from the combination of the prefix “a-” (meaning without) and “gender.” It emerged in the late 20th century within LGBTQIA+ communities to describe individuals who identify as being without a specific gender or as gender-neutral.

Meanings and Concept:

• Absence of Gender Identity: Agender individuals do not identify with any particular gender. They may feel a lack of connection or alignment with the traditional categories of “male” or “female.”
• Gender Neutrality: Agender people often embrace a gender-neutral or genderqueer identity, rejecting the societal expectations and norms associated with binary gender distinctions.
• Fluidity in Expression: Agender individuals may express their gender identity through a range of gender presentations, which can include aspects of both masculinity and femininity or be entirely neutral.
• Personal and Diverse Experiences: Agender is a broad term that encompasses diverse experiences; individuals may have unique feelings and expressions of their genderlessness.
• Pronoun Preferences: Agender individuals may choose pronouns that reflect their gender identity, such as they/them, ze/zir, or other non-binary pronouns, reinforcing their rejection of traditional gender categories.

Overall, agender is a term that highlights the diversity of gender experiences and challenges the binary understanding of gender in society.

Agender: Definition of a Theoretical Term

Agender is a theoretical term used to describe individuals who do not identify with any specific gender, experiencing a lack of gender attachment or alignment. This concept challenges the traditional binary understanding of gender, asserting the absence of a distinct male or female identity. Agender individuals may adopt gender-neutral pronouns and often seek to express their gender identity outside the confines of societal gender norms.

Agender: Theorists, Works and Argument

Theorists	Notable Works	Key Arguments
Judith Butler	Gender Trouble	Argues that gender is performative, challenging binary norms and laying the foundation for understanding non-binary identities.
Kate Bornstein	Gender Outlaw	Explores the concept of gender as a social construct and advocates for the recognition and acceptance of diverse gender identities, including agender.
Simone de Beauvoir	The Second Sex	Examines the social construction of gender and the implications for women, contributing to the discourse on gender identity and its fluidity.
Leslie Feinberg	Stone Butch Blues	Addresses gender nonconformity and the struggles faced by individuals defying traditional gender roles, laying groundwork for agender discussions.
Riki Wilchins	Read My Lips: Sexual Subversion and the End of Gender	Explores the social and political implications of gender norms, advocating for a more inclusive understanding of gender beyond the binary.

Agender: Major Characteristics

• Absence of Gender Identity:
  • Jeffrey Eugenides’ “Middlesex”: The protagonist, Cal, navigates a complex gender identity, reflecting the absence of a fixed gender as they explore their intersex condition.
• Gender Neutrality:
  • Ursula K. Le Guin’s “The Left Hand of Darkness”: The inhabitants of the planet Gethen are ambisexual, embodying both male and female characteristics, challenging traditional gender expectations.
• Fluidity in Expression:
  • Virginia Woolf’s “Orlando”: The titular character undergoes a mysterious transformation, living for centuries and experiencing various gender presentations, illustrating the fluidity of gender expression.
• Personal and Diverse Experiences:
  • Julie Anne Peters’ “Luna”: The novel explores the unique experiences of a transgender teenager, highlighting the diversity within gender identities and the challenges of self-discovery.
• Pronoun Preferences:
  • Alex Gino’s “George”: The protagonist, a transgender girl named Melissa, asserts her gender identity by choosing the name she identifies with, showcasing the importance of personal pronoun preferences in expressing one’s gender.

Agender: Relevance in Literary Theories

Literary Theories	Relevance to Agender Representation
Queer Theory	Examines the fluidity and diversity of gender and sexual identities, providing a framework for understanding and appreciating agender representation in literature.
Feminist Literary Criticism	Challenges traditional gender roles and explores the experiences of characters who reject or transcend these roles, contributing to the discourse on agender identities within a feminist context.
Postcolonial Theory	Addresses the intersectionality of identity, including gender, and explores how characters navigate multiple aspects of their identity, providing a lens to analyze agender representation in diverse cultural contexts.
Postmodernism	Challenges fixed notions of identity and embraces the idea that identity is performative and constantly shifting, aligning with the agender concept that rejects binary gender norms.
Reader-Response Theory	Encourages an exploration of how readers interpret and engage with texts, fostering an understanding of how agender representation in literature can impact diverse readers’ perceptions and experiences.

Agender: Application in Critiques

1. Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides:
   • Critique: While Middlesex primarily explores intersexuality, it provides a nuanced portrayal of gender complexity, allowing for an agender critique. The protagonist, Cal, grapples with an identity that transcends traditional gender categories, offering a perspective on the fluidity and absence of fixed gender.
2. The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin:
   • Critique: Le Guin’s portrayal of a society with ambisexual individuals challenges normative gender expectations. An agender critique can focus on how this work questions the societal constructs of gender and reflects the potential for gender-neutral or agender identities in speculative fiction.
3. Orlando by Virginia Woolf:
   • Critique: Woolf’s Orlando is a classic example of gender exploration and fluidity. An agender critique can delve into how Orlando’s experiences over centuries speak to the idea of a gender journey free from the constraints of fixed identities, showcasing the malleability of gender expression.
4. Luna by Julie Anne Peters:
   • Critique: While addressing transgender experiences, Luna touches on the broader spectrum of gender identities, making it applicable to an agender critique. It provides insights into personal experiences and diverse journeys within the realm of gender, contributing to a more inclusive literary representation.

Each of these works, in their unique ways, allows for an agender critique by challenging conventional gender norms, exploring gender fluidity, and presenting characters who navigate identities beyond the binary. Such critiques contribute to a broader understanding of gender diversity in literature.

Agender: Relevant Terms

Theoretical Terms	Definitions
1. Genderqueer	Identity embracing non-normative gender expressions, challenging traditional norms.
2. Non-Binary	Rejecting the binary gender model, encompassing a range of gender identities.
3. Bigender	Identifying with two distinct genders, either simultaneously or at different times.
4. Genderfluid	A fluid or changing gender identity, transcending fixed categories over time.
5. Androgynous	Displaying a mix of traditionally masculine and feminine characteristics.
6. Two-Spirit	Indigenous term encompassing diverse gender identities beyond the binary.
7. Neutrois	Identity characterized by a neutral or null gender, rejecting societal gender norms.
8. Demiboy/Demigirl	Identifying partially, but not wholly, with a particular gender.
9. Agenderflux	Experiencing a fluctuation in the intensity or presence of agender feelings.
10. Pangender	Identifying with all genders or a multitude of gender experiences.

Agender: Suggested Readings

1. Beauvoir, Simone de. The Second Sex. Vintage Books, 2011.
2. Bornstein, Kate. Gender Outlaw. Vintage Books, 1994.
3. Butler, Judith. Gender Trouble. Routledge, 1990.
4. Eugenides, Jeffrey. Middlesex. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2002.
5. Feinberg, Leslie. Stone Butch Blues. Alyson Books, 1993.
6. Le Guin, Ursula K. The Left Hand of Darkness. Ace Books, 1969.
7. Peters, Julie Anne. Luna. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2006.
8. Woolf, Virginia. Orlando: A Biography. Harcourt, 1928.
9. Wilchins, Riki. Read My Lips: Sexual Subversion and the End of Gender. Firebrand Books, 1997.