Feminism and the Subversion of Identity by Judith Butler
- Ali Akbar (Hafiz Team)
- Jan 19, 2023
- 4 min read
Updated: Feb 3, 2023
"Feminism and the Subversion of Identity" is a 1990 essay by Judith Butler, an American philosopher, gender theorist, and queer theorist. The essay is considered a classic of feminist and queer theory and has been widely influential in shaping feminist and queer thought and activism, particularly in the area of gender and identity.
In "Feminism and the Subversion of Identity," Butler argues that gender is not an innate characteristic of an individual, but rather a social construct that is imposed and performed through repeated acts. She contends that this understanding of gender as a performative construct undermines the notion of a stable, fixed identity, and that this subversion of identity is a key tool in the fight against patriarchal oppression.
The essay also critiques the mainstream feminist movement for its emphasis on achieving equality through the attainment of a stable, fixed identity, and argues that this approach is inherently problematic and limited. Instead, Butler calls for a more fluid and subersive understanding of gender and identity, one that disrupts and undermines the societal norms that uphold patriarchal oppression.
Butler's writing is considered a touchstone of the genre of gender performativity, which argues that gender is a social construct that is performed and reinforced through daily actions and societal norms. Her ideas have been widely read, studied and referenced and continue to shape the discourse on gender, identity and queer theory.
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