This thesis analyzes the Catholic themes within Oscar Wilde’s 1890 novel The Picture of Dorian Gray. In order to accurately do so it will establish proper definitions of gothic fiction and...Show moreThis thesis analyzes the Catholic themes within Oscar Wilde’s 1890 novel The Picture of Dorian Gray. In order to accurately do so it will establish proper definitions of gothic fiction and Catholicism. Moreover, within this analysis on Catholicism and gothic fiction, it will also establish which Catholic themes are significant within the analysis of The Picture of Dorian Gray. After these definitions and particular themes are established, an inquiry into Wilde’s personal life, and his relationship to Catholicism, will be executed. Eventually, an analysis of the novel itself, combining the Catholic themes and the biographical information presented in the earlier chapters, will be carried out. After these analyses are carried out, this thesis will establish that The Picture of Dorian Gray illustrates Wilde’s fear of being completely liberated. The judgment he received from the Marquess of Queensberry, the heteronormative Protestant community he grew up in, and even his lover Lord Alfred Douglas would eventually turn his desires to feel as liberated as his mother into a phobia of being completely free, which is depicted in his own conviction of Dorian Gray.Show less
This thesis explores the Attic custom of pederasty by applying gaze theory to passages from Socratic philosophy, vase-paintings and a selection of Greek novels. This allows for previously under...Show moreThis thesis explores the Attic custom of pederasty by applying gaze theory to passages from Socratic philosophy, vase-paintings and a selection of Greek novels. This allows for previously under-emphasized emotions and views to be studied, which reveals that the repeated scholarly focus on static active and passive roles between lover and beloved respectively is unjustified and restricting. Instead a trope is present in the sources where the impact that gazing upon a desired youth had could render a lover passive to his beauty: the beloved held (emotional) power over him through the spectacle he presents.Show less
The development of digital media provides audiences easier access to information from multiple sources. In the past decades, with the popularization of the internet, the emergence of social media...Show moreThe development of digital media provides audiences easier access to information from multiple sources. In the past decades, with the popularization of the internet, the emergence of social media and the fast increasing number of users have become a social phenomenon around the world. In particular, China as a country with its isolated internet has developed its own social media platforms which under a system with strong state control and censorship. Apart from strong state control, Chinese social media platforms gradually take the role of reflecting public opinions through an online discussion about political or social issues. As one of the largest social media platforms in China, Sina Weibo plays a remarkable role in online discussion and governmental supervision. This thesis particularly analyzes Sina Weibo’s role in an online social discussion regarding homosexuality and homosexual people in China, in order to understand the role of Sina Weibo in online discourses regarding a moral issue, and to further investigate the implication for online social discussions. The role taken by Sina Weibo can thus be argued as “strategic positions to survive”, based on the relation with the users and Chinese authorities. In this case, a power relation among Weibo users, Chinese authorities and Weibo users could also be conducted from research findings.Show less
When discussing progressive politics, Uruguay stands out as the most secular and socially inclusive of all Latin American nations (Encanarción 2016, 9). Moreover, with marijuana, abortion and same...Show moreWhen discussing progressive politics, Uruguay stands out as the most secular and socially inclusive of all Latin American nations (Encanarción 2016, 9). Moreover, with marijuana, abortion and same-sex marriage being legalized, Uruguay has solidified its position amongst the most progressive countries worldwide. With regards to the inclusion of the homosexual community, most interesting is the high rate of general acceptance of homosexuality by the Uruguayan population. This is where the country strongly differentiates itself from the rest of the region; it is the only country in the region where the majority of the population expressed favorability towards same-sex marriage. This raises the question as to how it is possible that a country in the rather conservative Latin American region manages to exert such a progressive discourse.Show less
In the wake of The Supreme Court of India's decision to decriminalise homosexuality, this paper studies how British colonialism structured the perceptions and representations of same-sex intimacies...Show moreIn the wake of The Supreme Court of India's decision to decriminalise homosexuality, this paper studies how British colonialism structured the perceptions and representations of same-sex intimacies and sexual fluidity in India. Combining discourse analysis and historiographical approaches, this paper focuses on various aspects of Indian history and society, from the many examples of homo-eroticism in Indo-Muslim literature and Indian religious traditions to the medicalisation of sexuality and the internalisation of British ideals of masculinity and sexuality in the discourse around same-sex intimacies, as well as the parallels between this and the modern Hindutva movement.Show less
This thesis discusses the marginalization of LGBT+ citizens in Nigeria through state legislation. Within the recent decade there has been an increase in legislation targeting LGBT+ citizens in...Show moreThis thesis discusses the marginalization of LGBT+ citizens in Nigeria through state legislation. Within the recent decade there has been an increase in legislation targeting LGBT+ citizens in Nigeria. Forms of legislation leading to marginalization of LGBT+ citizens is referred to in this thesis as political homophobia. This research focuses on the role of Pentecostal movements in relation to these political developments. It discusses the influence of dominant Pentecostal ideologies on the formation of anti-homosexuality legislation, by giving an insight into the complex relationship between religion and politics in NigeriaShow less
This thesis employs queer and psychoanalytic theory in order to analyze three Gothic texts from the Romantic Period: William Godwin's 'Caleb Williams' (1794), Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' (1818),...Show moreThis thesis employs queer and psychoanalytic theory in order to analyze three Gothic texts from the Romantic Period: William Godwin's 'Caleb Williams' (1794), Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' (1818), and James Hogg's 'Justified Sinner' (1824). Through close readings, this thesis argues that the male protagonist's 'double' is a manifestation of his repressed homosexual desires. Do to societal pressure for normative behaviour, the protagonist experiences opposing feelings of desire and homophobia, ultimately causing his isolation and self-hatred.Show less
The position of the LGBT community in India is undergoing a stressful period. This thesis attempts to analyse and research whether this has always been the case. Historical and spiritual views are...Show moreThe position of the LGBT community in India is undergoing a stressful period. This thesis attempts to analyse and research whether this has always been the case. Historical and spiritual views are used to create a platform on how the homosexuality was perceived in India. Connecting this delicate matter to the erotic art and architecture of the Khajuraho monuments in Madhya Pradesh and adding philosophical, ancient and religious statements about homosexuality, creates a fresh view on the development of perceiving homosexuality in India.Show less
The thesis discusses to what extent do popular media contribute to the reduction of stigmatisation and discrimination against homosexuals in post-colonial India? The hypothesis is: development and...Show moreThe thesis discusses to what extent do popular media contribute to the reduction of stigmatisation and discrimination against homosexuals in post-colonial India? The hypothesis is: development and expansion of media improves public awareness of the taboo topic of homosexuality which will in turn reduce the stigmatisation. The first chapter describes the socio-legal context of homosexuality in India, explaining the foundations for stigmatisation and discrimination against homosexuals and identifies who the main discriminators are. The second chapter uses Appadurai’s theory of scapes and in particular mediascape to help establish the influence such a scape has in reducing stigmatisation and discrimination against homosexuals in postcolonial India. This chapter draws similarities and conclusions from anthologies, auto biographies and biographies, newspaper articles and magazines, Bollywood films and Indian television. The final chapter is focussed on a case study of a growing influential homosexual social group in Mumbai named Gay Bombay that uses the media as a powerful tool in creating a safe haven for homosexuals since the late 1990s. The results have shown that homosexuality is a taboo topic with the current law criminalising the act. The extent of which media influence public opinion has grown with increased globalisation and the introduction of the internet. Some popular media outlets portray non-glamourized depictions of homosexuals more often than ever before but the stereotypical portrayal of the group is still common. It is definite that the public’s perception is directly influenced by media presentations and so if the media has the ability to promote a positive image of homosexuality one questions why they do not. Word of mouth belief is identified as one of the main problems that prevent change in opinion. Changing several million people’s opinions on such a taboo topic is a distant dream for homosexuals, especially whilst the law is still in place. One questions whether India has the political will to repeal its anti-homosexual legislation even if the media increases positive awareness of homosexuality.Show less
Homosexuality has been a controversial topic globally for the last decade. Many countries have slowly accepted the emergence of homosexual relationships, some more than others, but in some...Show moreHomosexuality has been a controversial topic globally for the last decade. Many countries have slowly accepted the emergence of homosexual relationships, some more than others, but in some countries it remains a sensitive subject. For mainland China, it is generally believed that the Chinese government adopts a ‘3-no’ policy – no approval, no disapproval, and no promotion.1 Homosexuality has mainly been developing as an underground phenomena. Homosexuality in Hong Kong on the other hand is much more visible and relatively more accepted than in mainland China. Taiwan has been the most progressive region, developing a visible homosexual subculture and literary movement. In this thesis I look at the historical development and the cinematic development of homosexuality in Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan and specifically at the portrayal of homosexuality in two Chinese-language films, Stanley Kwan's Lan Yu and Zero Chou's Ci Qing.Show less
Between 1945 and 2001 possibilities for homosexual men to move to the Netherlands improved considerably. This thesis examines how and why this development took place. In 1967 for the first time men...Show moreBetween 1945 and 2001 possibilities for homosexual men to move to the Netherlands improved considerably. This thesis examines how and why this development took place. In 1967 for the first time men were allowed to stay in the Netherlands officially, despite their sexuality. From 1974 partner migration became possible, allowing the foreign partner to stay 'because' of his sexuality. In 1981 the Netherlands was the first country that allowed asylum seekers to be granted refugee status on the basis of their sexuality. Main reasons for this change are the secularisation of the Netherlands, a liberalisation of family law, progressive politics in the 1970s because of the social (and sexual) revolutions in the 1960s. Also very important was the emergence of the gay emancipation movement in the Netherlands which became politically active in the 1970s. Nevertheless, implementation of these novel opportunities to settle in the Netherlands proved more difficult. Local police forces applied their own moral judgments on immigrants and it took until the 1990s before a homosexual asylum seeker was granted refugee status for his sexuality. This thesis therefore argues that the Netherlands wanted to show abroad how progressive its policies were, while practically, the results of the policies were not so progressive at all. Nevertheless, the Netherlands became to be known abroad as a safe haven for homosexual men. This was an image that the Dutch government tried to avoid in the 1960s, while it embraced the image in the 1990s. This thesis adds to the debate of policy change, as well as to the debate around the difference between policy and practice, taking immigration of homosexual men as a case study.Show less
