Searching for Sisterhood: Friendship and Sorority Culture in Tajuana Butler’s Sorority Sisters

Gerund K (2016)

Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Journal article, Online publication

Publication year: 2016

Journal

Black Studies Papers Universität Bremen

Publisher: Universität Bremen

Book Volume: 2

Pages Range: 77-98

Journal Issue: 1

URI: http://elib.suub.uni-bremen.de/edocs/00105250-1.pdf

Abstract

This essay examines Tajuana Butler’s Sorority Sisters (1998) regarding its portrayal of friendship, sisterhood, and sorority culture. The novel conceptualizes ‘sisterhood’ as a fictive kinship structure and emphasizes the empowering potential of friendship among women. It fully embraces sorority culture and presents pledging as a ‘social drama’ in all its facets. Overall, Sorority Sisters provides an intervention into dominant representations of sorority life and black femininity. Yet, this intervention hinges on a discursive system of control shaped by conventional femininity and an uncritical affirmation of the ideology, practices, and significance of sororities.

Authors with CRIS profile

Katharina Gerund Lehrstuhl für Amerikanistik, insbesondere nordamerikanische Literatur- und Kulturwissenschaft

How to cite

APA:

Gerund, K. (2016). Searching for Sisterhood: Friendship and Sorority Culture in Tajuana Butler’s Sorority Sisters. Black Studies Papers, 2(1), 77-98.

MLA:

Gerund, Katharina. "Searching for Sisterhood: Friendship and Sorority Culture in Tajuana Butler’s Sorority Sisters." Black Studies Papers 2.1 (2016): 77-98.

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