To begin with, it is fundamental to define the term straight-acting and thereby set limitations to this paper. As it can already easily be derived from the word itself, straight-acting obviously refers to people that are trying to behave in a heterosexual way, although they are not. More importantly is, however, the understanding of behaving in a heterosexual way. The following chapters will elaborate on these characteristics in more detail and it will be shown how they can be found in David.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Characteristics of Straight-Acting
- Internalised Homophobia
- Femiphobia
- Pride and Shame
- Denial
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to analyze the character of David from James Baldwin’s "Giovanni's Room" and categorize him as a "straight-acting gay man." The paper will use evidence from the novel, along with existing research on internalized homophobia and femiphobia, to explore the characteristics of this identity and how they manifest in David's actions and thoughts.
- Internalized Homophobia
- Femiphobia
- Masculinity and Gender Roles
- Denial and Self-Deception
- The Conflict Between Desire and Societal Expectations
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The introduction defines the term "straight-acting" and outlines the main characteristics that will be explored in the paper, including internalized homophobia, femiphobia, pride and shame, and denial.
The first chapter, "Characteristics of Straight-Acting," delves into the concept of internalized homophobia. It examines how David's understanding of masculinity and his homophobic attitudes are intertwined, highlighting his conflicting feelings towards his own sexuality. The chapter also explores the various ways in which internalized homophobia can be expressed, with specific reference to David's actions and thoughts throughout the novel.
The second chapter, "Femiphobia," explores the connection between homophobia and femiphobia, focusing on how gay men often strive to appear masculine and distance themselves from perceived feminine gay stereotypes. It analyzes David's anxieties about his own masculinity and how he tries to fit into traditional gender roles, particularly in his relationship with Giovanni.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Key terms explored in this paper include: straight-acting gay man, internalized homophobia, femiphobia, masculinity, gender roles, denial, self-deception, societal expectations, homosexual desire, and James Baldwin's "Giovanni's Room."
- Quote paper
- Anonym (Author), 2021, James Baldwin’s David from "Giovanni’s Room" as a Straight-Acting Gay Man. Characteristics of Straight-Acting, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1464358
