<p>The aim of this essay is to investigate how the author JT LeRoy (a. i. Laura Albert) questions and broadens the concept of authenticity in literature and authorship. My study is based on LeRoy’s novel Sarah [2000] and the collection of short stories The heart is deceitful above all things [2001], as well as articles written about the construction of Laura Albert’s alter ego JT LeRoy. I look for norms and boundaries in connection with authentic authors, identities, sex, gender and love. My method is that of a thematic analysis focusing on names, parenthood, religious beliefs and sub cultural norms and resistance. I am inspired by Michel Foucault’s thoughts on discourse, power and sexuality. My results are presented in a dialogue with previous readings and queer theory, foremost represented by Judith Butler. My general conclusion is that the literary texts, as well as the author represent a queer perspective, and that they therefore – in a heteronormative world view – are considered neither normal nor authentic.</p>
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UPSALLA/oai:DiVA.org:sh-1697 |
| Date | January 2008 |
| Creators | Säfwenberg, Nike Linn |
| Publisher | Södertörn University College, School of Gender, Culture and History, Huddinge : Institutionen för genus, kultur och historia |
| Source Sets | DiVA Archive at Upsalla University |
| Language | Swedish |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Student thesis, text |
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