TIPPING THE VELVET: SPECULARISED SEXUALITIES IN THE VICTORIAN ERA

Authors : Ela İpek GÜNDÜZ

Pages : 83-91

Doi:10.30794/pausbed.407636

View : 13 | Download : 8

Publication Date : 2019-04-26

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Sarah Waters’ first novel Tipping the Velvet insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(1998); is a neo-Victorian novel that  rewrites the Victorian era to depict the marginalised existence of the female same-sex lovers. Since Waters fictionalises the historical facts, her representations turn out to be the reality of her novel in which facts and imaginary notions blurred. In this article, Waters’ construction of an alternative lesbian history of the Victorian period in London will be evaluated by the constructions of femininity in the Victorian period. Then, the tendency of excluding sexuality and desire by ignoring their existence in Victorian times will be scrutinised by showing sexual interactions of lesbian lovers. In the novel, Waters creates a counter-discourse of lesbians who try to become visible at the centre. By creating different social circles and classes among queer people in Victorian times, Waters both achieves to avoid the stereotyping the lesbians and adds a credibility to their existence. 
Keywords : Sarah Waters, queer, neo Victorian