Butler's piece seems very academic in its manner, but discusses the idea of gender in a very matter-of-fact manner. I completely agree with him that there should not be distinct categories of what gender is that the distinctions between them should not be set by society. Masculinity and feminity should not necessarily be attached to male and female genders. There is no area in between for people to categorize themselves into, which makes it all the more harder for gays and transgenders to come out of the closet. The fact that there has not been a category already set apart for them makes them feel more different, and has also made society view them more differently.
James' piece was very different from Butler's in the way that it took a completely different tone in addressing the same topic. This piece is a rather intriguing point of view of a 6-year old, which at times is very disturbing (like the "shaving" part), but I ended up feeling very sad for the child. He was in the dilemma he was in because of the fact that he had been raised knowing that the only categories he could identify himself with were "male" or "female", and it frightened him to know that he didn't fit all the set and sociably accepted characteristics of a male. His obsession with penises is something he cannot completely ignore, however, and it confuses him. I imagine that this is how many other "queers" feel as well, because of the lack of a specific category for them to identify themselves with.
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