âEven unto this Bitter Lovingâ: Unhappiness and Backward Feelings in Ruth
In: Biblical InterpretationSearch for other papers by Rhiannon Graybill in
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Abstract
Feminist and queer readings of the Hebrew Bible frequently treat the book of Ruth as a âhappy object.â At the same time, contextual readings have suggested that Ruth is a narrative of exploitation, including possible sexual exploitation or trafficking. Building on recent scholarship about queer feelings and affect, this article negotiates a reading that takes seriously both the history of lesbian and queer readings of Ruth and Naomi and the critical attention on structures of exploitation. Drawing on Sara Ahmedâs The Promise of Happiness (2010) and Heather Loveâs Feeling Backward (2007), I argue for the importance of feeling, especially unhappy or backward feeling, in reading Ruth. My reading also frames the biblical book in conversation with Radclyffe Hallâs classic 1928 lesbian novel (and source for lesbian and queer theory) The Well of Loneliness. By following unhappiness and backwardness in and around Ruth, we are able to snatch a glimpse of queer feeling, and the space of promise it opens.
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| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
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âEven unto this Bitter Lovingâ: Unhappiness and Backward Feelings in Ruth
In: Biblical InterpretationSearch for other papers by Rhiannon Graybill in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Abstract
Feminist and queer readings of the Hebrew Bible frequently treat the book of Ruth as a âhappy object.â At the same time, contextual readings have suggested that Ruth is a narrative of exploitation, including possible sexual exploitation or trafficking. Building on recent scholarship about queer feelings and affect, this article negotiates a reading that takes seriously both the history of lesbian and queer readings of Ruth and Naomi and the critical attention on structures of exploitation. Drawing on Sara Ahmedâs The Promise of Happiness (2010) and Heather Loveâs Feeling Backward (2007), I argue for the importance of feeling, especially unhappy or backward feeling, in reading Ruth. My reading also frames the biblical book in conversation with Radclyffe Hallâs classic 1928 lesbian novel (and source for lesbian and queer theory) The Well of Loneliness. By following unhappiness and backwardness in and around Ruth, we are able to snatch a glimpse of queer feeling, and the space of promise it opens.
| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 1051 | 164 | 15 |
| Full Text Views | 251 | 37 | 0 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 651 | 100 | 0 |
