Performativity of Power in Literature & Literary Theory

Performativity of Power: Etymology/Term, Meanings and Concept

The term “performativity of power” originated from the work of philosopher and gender theorist Judith Butler, particularly in her exploration of gender identity and expression. The concept suggests that power is not just exercised through traditional forms of domination or coercion but is also enacted and reinforced through repeated performances or acts. Here’s a breakdown:

Etymology: The term combines “performativity,” which refers to the idea that certain actions or behaviors create and reinforce identities, with “power,” indicating the capacity to influence or control others.

Meanings and Concept:

• Power Dynamics: Explores how power operates beyond explicit authority structures, manifesting in everyday behaviors, language, and social norms.
• Identity Construction: Highlights how individuals perform roles and identities according to societal expectations, reinforcing power structures through these performances.
• Social Reproduction: Examines how repeated performances of power contribute to the maintenance and reproduction of social hierarchies and inequalities.
• Resistance and Subversion: Considers how individuals and groups can challenge or subvert power dynamics through alternative performances and practices.
• Intersectionality: Considers how different aspects of identity intersect to shape experiences of power and performativity, acknowledging that these dynamics vary based on factors such as race, class, gender, and sexuality.
• Agency and Constraints: Explores the tension between agency—the capacity to act independently—and the constraints imposed by social norms and power structures, recognizing that individuals navigate these dynamics in complex ways.

In essence, the performativity of power illuminates the ways in which power is not just wielded but also enacted and reinforced through everyday actions and interactions, shaping identities, relationships, and social structures.

Performativity of Power: Definition of a Theoretical Term

The “performativity of power” refers to the concept that power is not solely exerted through overt control or authority but is also enacted and reinforced through repeated performances or actions within society. It suggests that individuals and groups contribute to the maintenance and reproduction of power structures through their behaviors, language, and adherence to social norms. This theoretical framework, popularized by Judith Butler, emphasizes the role of performance in shaping identities, relationships, and social hierarchies.

Performativity of Power: Theorists, Works and Arguments

Theorists:

• Judith Butler: Renowned philosopher and gender theorist who introduced the concept of performativity of power in her seminal work “Gender Trouble” (1990) and subsequent writings.

Works:

• “Gender Trouble” (1990): In this groundbreaking text, Butler challenges traditional understandings of gender by arguing that it is not an inherent or fixed identity but rather a performative act that is repeated and enforced through social norms and expectations.
• “Bodies That Matter” (1993): Expanding upon her theories of performativity, Butler explores the ways in which bodies are constructed and regulated through discursive practices, further elucidating the relationship between power, identity, and embodiment.

Arguments:

• Subversion of Norms: Butler argues that by recognizing the performative nature of gender and other social categories, individuals can subvert dominant power structures by destabilizing normative understandings and embracing alternative modes of expression.
• Critique of Essentialism: Through her emphasis on performativity, Butler critiques essentialist views that posit fixed identities or naturalized categories, advocating instead for a more fluid and contingent understanding of identity formation.
• Intersectionality and Power: Butler’s work highlights the intersecting dynamics of power, emphasizing how various social factors such as race, class, sexuality, and ability intersect to shape experiences of performativity and contribute to the maintenance of hierarchical systems.

Performativity of Power: Major Characteristics

1. Performative Acts: Power is enacted and reinforced through repeated performances or acts within society, including behaviors, language, and adherence to social norms.
2. Reproduction of Social Hierarchies: These performances contribute to the maintenance and reproduction of social hierarchies and inequalities by shaping identities, relationships, and societal structures.
3. Everyday Practices: Power operates not only through explicit authority structures but also through everyday practices and interactions, influencing individuals’ experiences and opportunities within society.
4. Fluidity and Contingency: Performativity acknowledges the fluid and contingent nature of power dynamics, recognizing that they can shift and evolve over time in response to changing social, cultural, and political contexts.
5. Intersectionality: Power operates at the intersection of various social factors, such as race, class, gender, sexuality, and ability, shaping individuals’ experiences and positioning within society in complex ways.
6. Resistance and Subversion: While power can be oppressive, individuals and groups can also challenge or subvert dominant power structures through alternative performances, practices, and forms of resistance.
7. Critique of Essentialism: Performativity critiques essentialist views that posit fixed identities or naturalized categories, advocating instead for a more nuanced understanding of identity formation and power relations.

Performativity of Power: Relevance in Literary Theories

Literary Theory	Relevance of Performativity of Power
Feminist Theory	Performativity of power is central to feminist literary theory, as it helps analyze how gender roles and norms are constructed, performed, and enforced in literature.
Postcolonial Theory	In postcolonial literary theory, performativity of power sheds light on how colonial discourses and power dynamics are enacted and perpetuated through literary texts and representations.
Queer Theory	Performativity of power is essential in queer literary theory to examine how norms around sexuality and gender are performed and contested within literature, highlighting the fluidity and contingency of identity constructions.
Critical Race Theory	Within critical race theory, performativity of power helps analyze how racial identities are constructed, enforced, and resisted in literature, emphasizing the intersectional dynamics of power and oppression.
Marxist Theory	Performativity of power is relevant in Marxist literary theory to explore how class relations and power structures are enacted and represented in literature, illuminating issues of social inequality and resistance.
Poststructuralism	In poststructuralist literary theory, performativity of power is used to deconstruct binary oppositions and reveal the constructed nature of identities and power dynamics within literary texts.
Psychoanalytic Theory	Performativity of power can be applied in psychoanalytic literary theory to analyze how power relations and identity formations are intertwined and expressed through literary characters and narratives.

These are just a few examples, and the relevance of performativity of power can extend to various other literary theories as well, depending on the specific focus and methodology of analysis.

Performativity of Power: Application in Critiques

1. “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare (Scottish):
   • Application: In Shakespeare’s tragedy, the performativity of power is evident in Macbeth’s ascent to the throne through violent acts and manipulation. The performance of loyalty and ambition drives characters like Macbeth and Lady Macbeth to commit regicide and maintain their grip on power. The play explores how the performance of masculinity, ambition, and loyalty intersects with themes of fate and free will, ultimately leading to the downfall of the protagonists.
2. “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Brontë (British):
   • Application: Brontë’s novel depicts the performativity of power within the rigid class and gender structures of Victorian England. Characters like Mr. Rochester and St. John Rivers wield power through their social status and authority over Jane. However, Jane’s refusal to conform to societal expectations and her assertion of personal agency challenge these power dynamics, highlighting the tension between individual autonomy and social constraints.
3. “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson (Scottish):
   • Application: Stevenson’s novella explores the performativity of power through the duality of human nature and the consequences of repression and indulgence. Dr. Jekyll’s experiment with transforming into Mr. Hyde can be seen as a performance of power and desire, where he seeks to explore his darker impulses without consequences. The story raises questions about the limits of self-control and the nature of identity, illustrating how power can manifest through the performance of different personas.
4. “A Doll’s House” by Henrik Ibsen (British production, Norwegian playwright):
   • Application: While Ibsen was Norwegian, “A Doll’s House” has been widely performed in British theaters and is relevant to British literary discourse. The play exposes the performativity of power within marriage and gender roles in 19th-century society. Nora’s journey from subservience to independence demonstrates how the performance of femininity and domesticity can mask underlying power imbalances. Her decision to leave her husband and children at the end of the play challenges societal norms and asserts her autonomy, highlighting the transformative power of individual agency.

These applications showcase how the concept of the performativity of power can be applied to analyze power dynamics, agency, and resistance within British and Scottish literary works.

Performativity of Power: Relevant Terms

Theoretical Term	Description
Discursive Power	Power through language and communication, shaping reality.
Symbolic Violence	Subtle ways power maintains social hierarchies.
Hegemony	Dominance of a group or ideology through consent.
Biopower	Power over bodies and populations.
Governmentality	Techniques of governing and regulating individuals.
Performative Speech Acts	Utterances that not only convey meaning but also perform actions.
Social Constructivism	Role of social constructs in shaping identities.
Intersectionality	Interconnectedness of social categorizations.
Counterhegemony	Resistance to dominant ideologies.
Emancipatory Knowledge	Knowledge empowering marginalized groups and challenging oppression.

Performativity of Power: Suggested Readings

1. Butler, Judith. Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion of Identity. Routledge, 1990.
2. Foucault, Michel. The History of Sexuality, Volume 1: An Introduction. Translated by Robert Hurley, Vintage Books, 1990.
3. Haraway, Donna. Simians, Cyborgs, and Women: The Reinvention of Nature. Routledge, 1991.
4. hooks, bell. Teaching to Transgress: Education as the Practice of Freedom. Routledge, 1994.
5. Lacan, Jacques. Écrits: The First Complete Edition in English. Translated by Bruce Fink, W.W. Norton & Company, 2006.
6. Sedgwick, Eve Kosofsky. Epistemology of the Closet. University of California Press, 1990.
7. Sennett, Richard. The Fall of Public Man. Knopf, 1977.
8. Spivak, Gayatri Chakravorty. In Other Worlds: Essays in Cultural Politics. Routledge, 1987.
9. Young, Iris Marion. Justice and the Politics of Difference. Princeton University Press, 1990.