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In This Issue

• Festivalia 2006-2007 (Part One of Two)
• Our Shining Futures
• A Descent into Madness and Confusion
• Outed Characters in Literature Humanities
• Iraq Exit Strategy: The Boardgame!
• Campus Characters
• Ugg Season Descends on Barnard (or: DAS BOOT)
• Drunker Strike
• Scenes from South Lawn
• The Art of Ray Johnson
• ABC: Your Money Is Now Our Money (or the V-Show's)
• A Message From Public Safety
• The Great Scientific Experiment
• Brown Bagging
• THEY Watch
• The Staff
• The Fed Presents: The Spirit Of Giving

Sarah Levin

Kimi Traube

The uproar surrounding J.K. Rowling’s outing of Dumbledore was incredible. People could not believe this writer, who had delighted the hearts and minds of so many children the world over could do something so polarizing to a character. Rowling was quick to point out, though, that she was hardly the first, she comes from a long line of famous authors who made their beloved characters gay.

Odysseus; The Odyssey:

Your average ship captain could never, ever survive the siren’s song. Odysseus had himself tied up to the mast, but Homer later let it slip that he wasn’t able to resist because of his lashings; he just wasn’t that into females, and as such, the siren’s song had a much smaller effect on him than it does on most men. Choosing to tie himself to a giant phallic symbol, as opposed to joining the beautiful sirens, is obviously Odysseus’ way of letting the world know his orientation.

Okonkwo; Things Fall Apart:

As a masculine warrior with an acute fear of appearing effeminate, Okonkwo doesn’t appear to be your typical gay character in literature. But, during an interview in 1962, Chinua Achebe outed him as “the most distinct and obvious case of perceived masculinity, ever.” Okonkwo’s world does not truly start falling apart until the white man comes, bringing his homophobic Christianity with him. Okonkwo’s suicide is obviously a direct result of his newfound guilt over his sexuality as shown by Christianity.

Mr. Darcy; Pride and Prejudice:

Mr. Darcy has long been the unattainable standard for the perfect man for millions of women. But, the reason he is so perfect and yet, so unattainable, is quite obvious: he’s gay. Every woman desires a fashionable, handsome man, such as Mr. Darcy. At the same time, he shows almost no interest in any women in Pride and Prejudice, until he is fi nally forced to submit himself to the social norms of marriage. He acts bitterly towards women, and is incredibly intimate with Bingley, whom Austen has described as “much more than just like, his B.F.F.” So, ladies, it’s time to give up your search for your own Mr. Darcy… he’s just not that into you… any of you.

Winston Smith; 1984:

The first sign that Winston might not be the straightest shooter comes in the first chapter of 1984, when he begins to write in a diary.  This should've been an obvious clue to the masses, as we all know that straight men never write in diaries.  As the story continues, Winston seems to show an almost obsessive infatuation with O'Brien, a higher-up in the party.  Though Winston has a relationship with a woman, Julia, it is only in order to become closer to the rebellion and O'Brien, who Winston sees as a fellow "rebel."  Even throughout his torture, Winston continues to love O'Brien, despite the pain that O'Brien is inflicting upon him.  You like a little pain with your pleasure, girl?