Quinn, Vincent (2000) Loose reading? Austen Sedgwick and critical practice. Textual Practice, 14 (2). 305 - 326. ISSN 0950-236X

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Abstract

This article uses Eve Sedgwick's 'Jane Austen and the masturbating girl' to explore the place of reading in contemporary critical practice. Noting that hostile accounts of Sedgwick have focused on her alleged inability to 'read closely,' the article argues that Sedgwick's work represents a wider move away from close reading to a criticism characterized by confession, autobiography, against-the grain reading, fantasy, parody and creative writing. This model-which I call 'loose reading'-throws light on the assumptions of close reading; it also has implications for political activism and teaching practice in schools. This article explores Sedgwick's place within lesbian and gay studies and queer theory; it also relates her loose readings to feminist, new historicist and postcolonial criticism. Although welcoming many aspects of loose reading, especially its relation to fantasy, it cautions against a total acceptance of non-attentive textual analysis. The article also discusses the relationship between reading practice and the role of 'good citizenship' in Britain's National Curriculum.

Item Type:	Article
Schools and Departments:	School of English > English
Subjects:	P Language and Literature > PR English literature
Depositing User:	Vincent Quinn
Date Deposited:	06 Feb 2012 21:10
Last Modified:	17 Jul 2012 09:39
URI:	http://sro.sussex.ac.uk/id/eprint/29994

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