Epistemology of the Closet, Updated with a New Preface

Exploring the intersection of sexuality and identity, the book delves into how sexual orientation emerged as a crucial aspect of personhood, paralleling the historical significance of gender. Through analyses of influential literary figures such as Melville, James, and Wilde, it reflects on a transformative period in American culture. In her updated preface, Sedgwick contextualizes her work within the personal and collective trauma of the AIDS epidemic, highlighting its profound impact on queer studies and theory since the late 1980s.