With the publication of her highly acclaimed and much-cited book
Gender Trouble, Judith Butler became one of the most influential
feminist theorists of her generation. Her theory of gender
performativity and her writings on corporeality, on the injurious
capacity of language, on the vulnerability of human life to
violence and on the impact of mourning on politics have, taken
together, comprised a substantial and highly original body of work
that has a wide and truly cross-disciplinary appeal.
In this lively book, Moya Lloyd provides both a clear exposition
and an original critique of Butler's work. She examines Butlers
core ideas, traces the development of her thought from her first
book to her most recent work, and assesses Butlers engagements with
the philosophies of Hegel, Foucault, Derrida, Irigaray and de
Beauvoir, as well as addressing the nature and impact of Butler's
writing on feminist theory. Throughout Lloyd is particularly
concerned to examine Butler's political theory, including her
critical interventions in such contemporary political controversies
as those surrounding gay marriage, hate-speech, human rights, and
September 11 and its aftermath.
Judith Butler offers an accessible and original
contribution to existing debates that will be an invaluable
resource for students and scholars alike.
