Reparative Drama: Hiv and Aids Reparation in Gymgurls

Date of Award

5-1-2023

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts major in Literary and Cultural Studies

First Advisor

Gary C. Devilles, PhD

Abstract

This study presents an analysis of the play Gymgurls using queer theory. The central argument of this project is that Gymgurls as an HIV and AIDS drama play depicts queer culture and healing and by highlighting these features, the play departs from the traditional narrative of PLHIV dying from AIDS or other related illness complications. The play provides readers and scholars to imagine hope in a time of the epidemic. The study utilizes close reading as a research method that pays attention to both critical and reparative value of the play. It explores the play in three main issues first the representation of queer or bakla bodies from the play, second, the construction of illness and lastly, the elements of drama as the structure of healing. The study concludes with the theorization of reparative drama which includes queer healing and reading texts from the reparative position. It also proposes to use the word aruga as a possible lens in reading texts with sensitive and delicate themes.

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