Modernism and the queer: Djuna Barnes/Gertrude Stein

Thesis

Djuna Barnes and Gertrude Stein may appear unrelated to one another at first glance. We have an impoverished upstate New Yorker versus relatively comfortable Californian, bisexual romantic nomad versus lesbian monogamist, nihilist versus life-affirming enthusiast, and agnostic-atheist versus secular Jew. When they are referenced together (which happens rarely), it is usually in the context of their Parisian exploits. But a closer look reveals more vital affinities. Both writers remain ...

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Authors: Shin, E

• Publication date: 2013
• Type of award: DPhil
• Level of award: Doctoral
• Awarding institution: Oxford University, UK
• Language: English
• Keywords: Djuna Barnes; feminist criticism; queer theory; Gertrude Stein; modernism; American literature; phenomenology
• Subjects: English Language and Literature; American literature in English