A1 Journal article (refereed)
Queering a Trans Life Story : The Unnatural Potential of Weak Narrativity in succubus in my pocket (2024)
Säntti, J. (2024). Queering a Trans Life Story : The Unnatural Potential of Weak Narrativity in succubus in my pocket. Narrative, 32(2), 138-153. https://doi.org/10.1353/nar.2024.a926172
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Säntti, Joonas
Journal or series: Narrative
ISSN: 1063-3685
eISSN: 1538-974X
Publication year: 2024
Volume: 32
Issue number: 2
Pages range: 138-153
Publisher: Ohio State University Press
Publication country: United States
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1353/nar.2024.a926172
Publication open access: Not open
Publication channel open access:
Abstract
Discussing similarities between antimimetic and queer/trans narratives, as well as interlacing subjects of interest in the respective fields of unnatural and queer/trans narratology, this article suggests the importance of experimental texts for theorizing trans narratives. It presents its arguments by focusing on one case study, a mixed genre manuscript written in 2004 and published in 2015, succubus in my pocket by the late trans poet kari edwards (1954–2006). My approach mines queer narratology (Susan Lanser), trans poetics (Trace Peterson), unnatural narratology (Brian Richardson), and the study of narrative poetry (Brian McHale) for conceptual tools to discuss how an extremely antimimetic narrative entwines transgressions of narrative expectations with transgressions of expectations about sex and gender. The work invites narrative interpretations of sequential events based on causal expectations while consistently refuting default interpretive strategies. This article shows how weak narrativity can be deployed as a critique of narrative sense-making processes in general and, more particularly, of conventional progression in narratives about trans lives.
Keywords: causality; narrativity; narratology; narration; queer studies; trans people; role related to gender
Free keywords: narratology; trans narratology; narrativity; causality; unnatural narratives; antimimetic narration; narrative poetry; trans narratives; kari edwards
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: Yes
Reporting Year: 2024
Preliminary JUFO rating: 2
