Search Results

Celibacies : American modernism & sexual life

Author

Kahan, Benjamin.

Title

Celibacies : American modernism & sexual life / Benjamin Kahan.

Format

Book

Published

Durham : Duke University Press, 2013

Description

xv, 235 pages ; 23 cm

Notes

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Contents

• The expressive hypothesis
• The longue durée of of celibacy : Boston marriage, female friendship, and the invention of homosexuality
• Celibate time
• The other Harlem Renaissance : Father Devine, ccelibate economics, and the making of black sexuality
• The celebate American : closetedness, emigration, and queer citizenship before Stonewall
• Philosophical bachelorhood, philosophical spinsterhood, and celibate modernity.

Summary

In this innovative study, Benjamin Kahan traces the elusive history of modern celibacy. Arguing that celibacy is a distinct sexuality with its own practices and pleasures., Kahan shows it to be much more than the renunciation of sex or a cover for homosexuality. Celibacies focuses on a diverse group of authors, social activists, and artists, spanning from the suffragettes to Henry James, and from the Harelm Renaissance's Father Divine to Andy Warhol. -- from back cover.

Subject headings

Sexual abstinence--Political aspects--United States. Celibacy--Political aspects--United States. Arts--Political aspects--United States--History--20th century.

ISBN

9780822355687