Gay Criticism(The Imitation Game)
Written by TANRIO SOPHIA VIRGINIA
Talking about Queer theory is similar to Feminism theory in which equality is the main focus. However, instead of the equality between women and men, Queer theory talks about the inequality or equality for people with particularly different sexual preferences. One’s sexuality is not determined by one’s sex as in male does not have to have romantic desires towards female and vice-versa.
In The Imitation Game movie, Benedict Cumberbatch acts as Alan Turing who now is widely known as a gay or homosexual. Alan Turing hid the fact that he was different not only in the general way of thinking but also in sexual way. He had no interest whatsoever in things other than intellectual material.
Previously, he used to have a romantic relationship with a fellow friend whose name was Christopher. Alan was bullied for having different mind and Christopher defended him. Their friendship bloomed and eventually turned into a red rose. Unfortunately, Christopher passed away due to tuberculosis leaving Alan alone.Even though Alan married Joan Clarke, people still had doubts. Joan Clarke could have testified that he was ‘normal’ instead of having him go through tough interrogation to ‘come out’ as homosexual. His sexual orientation even put him in a difficult position to expose John Cairncross as a spy from Soviet. John threatened to expose him as ‘homosexual’ if his identity were to be blown off.
Back then, being homosexual is illegal and it was regarded as a crime. In 1951, Alan Turing was captured for being a ‘poofter’ or homosexual and he was given choices; two years in prison or two years of therapy. As a mathematician who invented the Enigma code-breaker (which was named Christopher) it was a torture for Alan to be in prison for two years which left him only with the hormonal therapy. However, the therapy ruined his intellectual mind that he couldn’t even solve a crossword puzzle. It shows how oppressed gay people were back in that year. Eventually, Alan committed suicide in 1954, just a year of the therapy. Homosexual was thought to be a madness or illness.
Back then, being homosexual is illegal and it was regarded as a crime. In 1951, Alan Turing was captured for being a ‘poofter’ or homosexual and he was given choices; two years in prison or two years of therapy. As a mathematician who invented the Enigma code-breaker (which was named Christopher) it was a torture for Alan to be in prison for two years which left him only with the hormonal therapy. However, the therapy ruined his intellectual mind that he couldn’t even solve a crossword puzzle. It shows how oppressed gay people were back in that year. Eventually, Alan committed suicide in 1954, just a year of the therapy. Homosexual was thought to be a madness or illness.
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