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Themes

Lesbian literature can sometimes demonstrate evolutionary themes that develop based on human nature and basic characteristics similar to all, such as relationships and intimacy. Themes found in the majority of lesbian literature focus on lesbian mating psychology. These popular themes include masculinity vs. femininity, high rate of emotions, and perfect sexual experiences for both women. A majority of lesbian literature novels described one woman in a relationship as being very feminine, with long flowing hair, large breasts, etc. The other woman in the novel would be describe as very masculine, muscular, hard, etc. The balance in the relationship mirrors one that is heterosexual. The masculine women are seen as true lesbians in the literature, while the more feminine women are presented as taking other innocent women as lovers for just a brief period of time. The women in the novels typically express high levels of emotion illustrated through the women connecting with each other by communicating about their feelings and comforting one another. Throughout lesbian literature is the presence of perfect sexual experiences. Intimacy between the two women is described as overly romantic, satisfying, and resulting in orgasm for both parties.

The paperback lesbian fiction novels were easily accessible and cheap for young readers and the working class. The basis for lesbian literature started as a creative way to attract readers and give this audience a chance to escape everyday life, which typically involved hiding one’s sexuality. Novels connected readers to other lesbians, and the lesbian world. They usually, if not always, included tragic or negative endings in order for authors and publishers to portray a sense of rejecting homosexuality. Most novels presented some forms of homophobia, the objectification of women as well as showing character’s distress as to not fitting into society’s heterosexist norms. Lesbian literature and lesbian pulp fiction was once described as pornography, and was considered explicit content meant for men or adults only. The covers of the paperback novels almost always provided prospective readers with illustrations of near naked women that promoted lesbianism. Although these covers did not always portray the plot of the story, the goal of the raunchy covers was to push the product, contribute to capitalism, and defy aspects of censorship.

Critiques

There is a criticism of lesbian pulp fiction novels because they were available to readers, but out of reach to those that would have been able to censor and regulate literary works. Also, lesbian literature began a movement for women to form a community and a network of other readers with similar interests. A more recent critique of the lesbian literature of the past is the fact that it has presented a formula for what gay and lesbian relationships are supposed to consist of, such as gender roles and jealousy. Although it is recognizable that lesbian literature from the past has contributed to the present gay and lesbian movement, there is the perspective that the novels portraying these relationships have given the community a negative image that is impossible to remove.