Gender and Sexuality in Star Trek: Allegories of Desire in the Television Series and Films - Softcover

Greven, David

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0786444134 ISBN 13: 9780786444137

Publisher: McFarland & Company, 2009

Synopsis

Studying the Star Trek myth from the original 1960s series to the 2009 franchise-reboot film, this book challenges frequent accusations that the Star Trek saga refuses to represent queer sexuality. Arguing that Star Trek speaks to queer audiences through subtle yet provocative allegorical narratives, the analysis pays close attention to representations of gender, race, and sexuality to develop an understanding of the franchise's queer sensibility. Topics include the 1960s original's deconstruction of the male gaze and the traditional assumptions of male visual mastery; constructions of femininity in Star Trek: Voyager, particularly in the relationship between Captain Janeway and Seven of Nine; and the ways in which Star Trek: Enterprise's adoption of neoconservative politics may have led to its commercial and aesthetic failure.

About this title

About the Author:

David Greven is associate professor of English at the University of South Carolina. He lives in Columbia, South Carolina.

Review:

"A fascinating read for those trying to understand pop culture and sexuality in today's world." --Midwest Book Review

"Gender and Sexuality in Star Trek maintains a clear focus and presents an engaging argument, centered on an allegorical reading of gender, sexuality and race in the monomyth. In developing this, Greven analyzes how, while Star Trek does not directly represent gay or lesbian characters, queer desire can still be read allegorically and ironically by the significant gay fan base...gives an excellent basis for continued engagement with this 'maddeningly and exhilaratingly complex' monomyth." --Elspeth Kydd, Jump Cut: A Review of Contemporary Media

"Gender and Sexuality in Star Trek offers new insights into gender (predominantly masculinity) and sexuality in Trek across the various series. As well as offering an intriguing revisionist view of STOS, it also engages with installments that have not so far received much critical examination (such as the 2002 movie Nemesis, or the latest film), largely avoiding covering ground that is too familiar. The focus on individual episodes and/or characters allows for detailed analysis...at its best, Greven's approach matches theory with text in stimulating and insightful fashion." --Lorna Jowett, Critical Studies in Television

About this edition

• Publisher: McFarland & Company
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0786444134
• ISBN 13: 9780786444137
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 239