Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion of Identity

A must-read classic of contemporary feminist theory

A foundational work of queer cultural theory

As a foundational work of modern female thought, Gender Trouble brilliantly cites Foucault, Freud, Wittig, Kristeva, and Irigaray, among others. It is groundbreaking, exquisitely precise in its language, and thoroughly argued. It is one of the most discussed academic works of the past thirty years, enjoying a popularity matched only by its controversial nature.

Butler argues that traditional feminist discourse, which defines the natural "basis" of woman, sex, and gender, is flawed. She first questions the category of "woman": who does this category include? And who decides who can be included? Following this line of thought, she suggests that "masculinity" and "femininity" are not fixed biological states, but culturally predetermined attributes. However, the most widely known, and often most misunderstood, aspect of this book is Butler's contention that gender is not a reflection of an existing reality, but rather stems from repetitive social performativity.

Donna Haraway said: "Gender Trouble is a classic for everyone: whether re-reading or reading it for the first time, it reshapes all the categories through which we experience and express life and bodies. To be troubled in this way is an intellectual pleasure and a political necessity."

Since its first publication in 1990, Gender Trouble has garnered widespread attention and discussion. It is inspiring and thought-provoking, a foundational work of queer cultural theory, and an indispensable classic of contemporary feminist theory.