Quentin Crisp Analysis
Quentin Crisp writes about his life struggles and successes as a flamboyant, unabashed gay man in 20th century London; his autobiography including retellings of his failures, opinions on sexuality and experiences with various people in his life. Throughout his narrative, the reader gets a glimpse into the heteronormative society that circulates misinformation and condemnation of queer individuals and heavily impacts Crisp’s view on homosexuals. At times, it is evident that Crisp consciously opposes society’s condemnation by choosing daily to be himself, but he cannot help his thoughts from being tainted by the surrounding oppressive heteronormativity. His entire life, Quentin is taught that homosex is intrinsically wrong, only being acted upon
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Crisp attests that he is “uninterested” in human relationships and does not believe they exist―I argue that this is a cop out for his true feelings that are more difficult to discuss (Crisp 177). Crisp blames nature for his inability to find the type of relationship he wanted, but I blame society. It was not Crisp’s fault that he could not find a gratifying human relationship, it was society’s for setting up a system that spreads misinformation about homosexuals. Heteronormative society has set Crisp, and every homosexual, up for failure to find human connection because they assert that gay individuals are dirty, not real men, sexually perverse, unlovable and unwilling to love. Based on this tragic lie, it is no wonder that Crisp did not find the unconditional love he was seeking for and, in fact, he confesses that he does not “know what the expression [love] means” (Crisp 211). For Crisp and quite frankly most humans, sex is an avenue to get closer to another human being physically and the way that many people best receive love. Contrary to what sex typically stands for in heterosexual relationships, sex between men is written off as anything but a desire for intimacy; yet sex is what Quentin turns to in his moment of heartache and despair―it is the only way for him to self-soothe and meet his need for human
Crisp attests that he is “uninterested” in human relationships and does not believe they exist―I argue that this is a cop out for his true feelings that are more difficult to discuss (Crisp 177). Crisp blames nature for his inability to find the type of relationship he wanted, but I blame society. It was not Crisp’s fault that he could not find a gratifying human relationship, it was society’s for setting up a system that spreads misinformation about homosexuals. Heteronormative society has set Crisp, and every homosexual, up for failure to find human connection because they assert that gay individuals are dirty, not real men, sexually perverse, unlovable and unwilling to love. Based on this tragic lie, it is no wonder that Crisp did not find the unconditional love he was seeking for and, in fact, he confesses that he does not “know what the expression [love] means” (Crisp 211). For Crisp and quite frankly most humans, sex is an avenue to get closer to another human being physically and the way that many people best receive love. Contrary to what sex typically stands for in heterosexual relationships, sex between men is written off as anything but a desire for intimacy; yet sex is what Quentin turns to in his moment of heartache and despair―it is the only way for him to self-soothe and meet his need for human