Jake's "Lovers"

Judith Butler's essay "Imitation and Gender Insubordination" reflects on the idea of "being" a homosexual, as well as explanations surrounding different theories on homosexuality. One quote that stuck out to me in relation to G. Winston James' short story "Uncle" explains Freud's idea of incorporation. "If incorporation in Freud's sense in 1914 is an an effort to preserve a lost and loved object and to refuse of postpone the recognition of loss and, hence, of grief, then to become like one's mother or father or sibling of other early "lovers" may be an act of love and/or a hateful effort to replace of displace" (317, Butler). The main character in the story, Jake, is confused about his sexual organs and his sexuality in general, not really understanding what is 'normal' both physically and emotionally. In a way, when he discovers his "magic dick," he loses the innocent and childlike object, his pre-pubescent penis, that he once had. This loss, as well as his fascination, causes him to want to be like his brother, as he is sexually exposed to him at an early age.

Although Jake knows that having his brother "shave him with his penis" is not something to be shared, he still doesn't really question it, and actually enjoys this time spent with his brother. He is in awe of his brother's "magic dick" and is baffled when he discovers that he has one too. The fact that he has never learned about an erection makes him feel special, however, also frightened. He doesn't really know what to make of his strange attraction to his uncle, as well as his fascination with his brother, and as Freud predicts, he falls in 'love' with these men he admires. Jake is obviously a conflicted young homosexual who finds comfort in these loving men in his life. He steers away from his father because he is too hard on him, and wants him to grow big and tough, something young Jake isn't really sure he wants to do.