Critique of Heterosexual Normativity in Truman Capote's Other Voices, Other Rooms

Abstract

Heterosexual norms are flatly turned upside down in Truman Capote's popular work, Other Voices, Other Rooms. The then society embraced heterosexuality as the standard of judging anybody's sexual affinity. The society wherein Randolph and Joel have been living applies this criterion assess the sort of sexual affinity and attraction they happened to cultivate. Within this framework of sexuality, the sexual bonding between Randolph and Joel is held as deviant. Treating their sexuality as deviant and anomalous act, the then society was to treat them as ostracized figures harmful to the integrity and harmony of society. At first, Randolph and Joel were optimistic that the then societies they have been living will consider the humane aspect of their sexuality. But as time passed by, they came to know that they were too naïve to believe in the so-called liberality of their society. Consequently, they felt embarrassed, disappointed and somewhat rebellious. To counter the restrictive nature of heterosexuality, they acted defiantly though they were excluded as ostracized beings. Homosexuality between Randolph and Joel is not merely a romantic and sexual but also political that questions the entire narrative of sexual orientation. In the text the analytical and historical limits of the critique of heterosexuality without abandoning a notion of the institutionalization of normative heterosexuality visible in pattern of sexual relation between Randolph and Joel is of paramount importance. Key Words: Homosexuality, Heterosexuality, Identity, Subversion, Subculture, Silence, Agony