Androgyny in Literary Theory

Introduction to Androgyny

Androgyny is a literary trope that involves the representation of ambiguous or indeterminate gender or sexual identity. Characterized by the presence of both male and female physical attributes, or by the creation of a facial physiognomy, it becomes difficult to determine whether a character is male or female.

Also, androgyny signifies the absence of any clear masculine or feminine traits determined by dominant cultural norms surrounding gender constructions or discourses. However, as a literary device, it challenges and disrupts the constraining aspects of normative gender roles and expectations.

Etymology of Androgyny

Androgyny derives from the Greek words andr, meaning “man,” and gynē, meaning “woman.” It signifies the blending of masculine and feminine attributes in a single individual. Thus, it challenges traditional gender distinctions and creates a more inclusive understanding of gender identity and expression across various fields including psychology, fashion, and sociology.

Meanings of Androgyny

1. Androgyny Across Disciplines: As a theoretical concept used in psychology, sociology, and gender studies, it represents the fusion of masculine and feminine traits.
2. Challenging Binary Gender: It challenges binary gender norms, fostering inclusive gender identity and expression.
3. Individuals and Societal Fluidity: Androgyny describes both individuals with balanced traits and cultures embracing flexible gender identities.
4. Psychological Benefits: In psychology, it links to positive outcomes: adaptability, creativity, and empathy.
5. Critiques and Stereotypes: Critics argue it may reinforce gender stereotypes, mandating both masculine and feminine qualities for well-being.
6. Complex Debate: The concept remains a contested, multifaceted area in academia, with varying interpretations and significance.

Definition of Androgyny as a Theoretical Term

As a theoretical term, it refers to the blending or integration of both masculine and feminine characteristics within an individual or a society. It challenges traditional binary gender roles and promotes more fluid and inclusive ideas of gender identity and expression. It is also a complex and contested area of study with supporters and critics arguing over its meaning and significance.

Theorists About Androgyny

Theorist	Work	Argument
Sandra Bem	The Measurement of Psychological Androgyny (1974)	Bem introduced the Bem Sex-Role Inventory (BSRI) to measure androgyny, proposing that individuals with both masculine and feminine traits exhibit greater psychological flexibility and adaptability.
Judith Butler	Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion of Identity (1990)	Butler’s work challenges the binary understanding of gender and suggests that gender is a social construct performed through repeated actions, allowing for the possibility of androgynous self-expression.
Anne Fausto-Sterling	Sexing the Body: Gender Politics and the Construction of Sexuality (2000)	Fausto-Sterling’s research challenges the binary model of sex and advocates for a more fluid understanding of human biology and gender, opening the door to androgynous identities.
John Money	Gender Identity and Gender Roles: Research and Concepts (1973)	Money’s research on gender identity development emphasized the importance of a flexible androgynous gender role, suggesting that rigid gender roles can lead to psychological issues.
Margaret Mead	Sex and Temperament in Three Primitive Societies (1935)	Mead’s groundbreaking ethnographic research demonstrated that gender roles and behaviors vary across cultures, challenging the universality of gender roles and promoting the idea of androgynous cultural models.

These esteemed theorists have made significant contributions to the field of androgyny and gender, offering valuable perspectives and insights that have greatly influenced gender studies and psychology.

Androgyny in Literary Theories

Androgyny is an important concept in literary theories, specifically, in feminist and queer theories where it is used to challenge binary gender roles and explore alternative forms of identity and expression. Here are a few examples of how androgyny used in literary theories:

1. Feminist Literary Theory: Androgyny challenges traditional gender roles and expectations, as it often involves characters who do not conform to conventional ideas of masculinity or femininity. Feminist theorists examine how androgynous characters subvert gender norms and assess the impact of these subversions on the overall themes and messages of the text.
2. Queer Theory: Androgyny is interpreted as a form of gender non-conformity, and queer theorists explore how androgynous characters or themes challenge the binary understanding of gender. They investigate how literature portrays the fluidity and diversity of gender identities.
3. Psychoanalytic Literary Theory: Psychoanalytic theory applies to androgyny by examining how characters’ psychological development relates to their gender identity and androgynous characteristics. Analysts investigate the subconscious motivations and desires behind characters’ androgynous behaviors and assess how these impact the narrative.
4. Marxist Literary Theory: Androgyny in literature is analyzed through a Marxist lens by examining how characters’ androgynous qualities challenge or reinforce prevailing social hierarchies related to gender. This perspective also considers the economic and class implications of androgynous characters and their roles in the narrative.
5. Postcolonial Literary Theory: In the context of androgyny, postcolonial theorists explore how colonial powers impose their own gender norms on colonized societies and how these norms are represented and resisted in literature. Androgyny challenges or subverts colonial gender hierarchies and expectations.

Examples of Androgyny in Literature

Work and Writer	Explanation of Androgyny
Orlando by Virginia Woolf	In Virginia Woolf’s novel Orlando, the protagonist undergoes a profound transformation from male to female and lives for centuries. This dramatic shift in gender identity challenges entrenched societal norms and delves into the essence of androgyny. Orlando’s famous declaration, “and enjoyed both sexes equally,” encapsulates the exploration of the fluidity and insignificance of gender roles.
Written on the Body by Jeanette Winterson	Jeanette Winterson’s work, Written on the Body, deliberately keeps the gender of the narrator ambiguous throughout the narrative. This conscious ambiguity serves to question and disrupt traditional gender roles and expectations. The narrator’s pondering, “Why is the measure of love loss?” highlights their resistance to being defined solely by their gender, inviting readers to contemplate the complexities of love and identity beyond conventional norms.
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde	Oscar Wilde’s masterpiece, The Picture of Dorian Gray, presents the character Dorian Gray as an androgynous figure, defying conventional gender boundaries. Dorian’s allure and charm transcend stereotypical gender norms, with descriptions such as “the charm” and like “a woman” challenging the traditional definitions of masculinity and femininity. Wilde skillfully uses Dorian’s androgyny to explore societal perceptions of beauty, decadence, and moral decay.
Hedwig and the Angry Inch	In the musical “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” the character Hedwig, an androgynous rock star, serves as a powerful symbol challenging gender roles and expectations. Hedwig’s music, clothing, and behavior all contribute to the defiance of traditional gender norms. The song “Wig in a Box” captures Hedwig’s fluidity and transformation, emphasizing the central theme of reinvention and self-discovery.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins	Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games introduces Katniss Everdeen, whose androgynous appearance, short hair, and pragmatic clothing defy conventional ideas of femininity. Katniss is portrayed as having “straight black hair” and being “more like a boy than a girl,” presenting a direct challenge to established gender expectations in a society that often emphasizes traditional gender roles.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show	“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” features the character Frank N. Furter, an androgynous alien, who boldly challenges societal gender norms through extravagant costumes and flamboyant behavior. The iconic song “Sweet Transvestite” serves as a poignant example of Frank’s rebellion against conventional gender roles, underlining the performative nature of gender identity and celebrating the expressive freedom that comes with embracing fluidity.

Suggested Readings

1. Butler, Judith. Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion of Identity. Routledge, 1990.
2. Halberstam, Jack. Female Masculinity. Duke University Press, 1998.
3. Heywood, Leslie, and Jennifer Drake, editors. Third Wave Agenda: Being Feminist, Doing Feminism. University of Minnesota Press, 1997.
4. Hirschfeld, Magnus. The Transvestites: The Erotic Drive to Cross-Dress. Prometheus Books, 1991.
5. Sedgwick, Eve Kosofsky. Between Men: English Literature and Male Homosocial Desire. Columbia University Press, 1985.
6. Woolf, Virginia. Orlando: A Biography. Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1928.