This document provides an agenda and materials for an ELIT 10 Class 12 on the book Beebo Brinker by Patricia Nell Warren. The agenda includes reviewing thesis statements, a presentation on the 1960s cultural context, a discussion of Beebo Brinker, and an introduction to the author Patricia Nell Warren. Key points from the thesis statement review include developing an original interpretation and ensuring evidence supports the thesis. The 1960s presentation outlines important LGBTQ events and developments. Discussion questions probe themes and characters in Beebo Brinker around sexuality, identity, and relationships.

1. +
ELIT 10 Class 12

2. +
AGENDA
Review: The thesis statement
Presentation: The 60s
Discussion: Beebo Brinker
Author Introduction
 Patricia Nell Warren

3. +
The Thesis
 Consider tensions and themes in the text. Use the lgbtq
theoretical lens to imagine these tensions and themes from
different perspectives. Sometimes, ideas are fuzzy in their earliest
stages. As you read, think, and write, your idea should take on
more clarity and depth. Sometimes the opposite happens; if it
does, discard the idea and begin again. Often, such failures are
necessary.
 Creative ideas and uncommon theses are great, but be sure that
you can find adequate support for your thesis. Also, make sure
that there is not strong proof against your thesis in the literary
work. It also is acceptable to have a more usual or average
interpretation; however, avoid using a thesis that is so obvious to
the other readers of the literary work that they could choose your
thesis and write your paper as easily as you. You want to have at
least some originality.

4. +The thesis statement is the most important
part of your paper
1. The thesis statement is the announcement of the analytical argument that you
intend prove in your paper. It is the readers’ road map. It is your road map.
2. It should probably be placed somewhere in the introduction of your paper. It
often fits well at the end, though you are not confined by that rule.
3. Successful thesis statements provoke thought and should read beautifully.
This is not the place for awkward sentences or grammar errors.
4. Your working thesis statement should generally include two parts:
 What claim are you making about the text?
 Why is your claim important? Your thesis should answer the “so what?”
question.
5. A thesis statement is usually, but can be more than, one sentence long.

5. +
Thesis Example
Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn is a
great American novel.
Why is this thesis weak? Think about
what the reader would expect from the
essay that follows.

6. This thesis suggests you will provide a general,
appreciative summary of Twain’s novel. This is your
opinion of the novel. This is not an interpretive
thesis; instead, think about why it’s such a great
novel—what do Huck’s adventures tell you about life,
about America, about coming of age, or about race
relations?
 Pick an aspect of the novel that you think is
important to its structure or meaning—for example,
the role of storytelling, the contrasting scenes
between the shore and the river, or the relationships
between adults and children.

7. +
Thesis Example
In Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain
develops a contrast between life on the
river and life on the shore.
Is this one better? Why? What will your
analysis reveal to the reader?

8. Here’s a working thesis with potential: you have highlighted
an important aspect of the novel for investigation; however,
it’s still not clear what your analysis will reveal. Your reader is
intrigued, but is still thinking, “So what? What’s the point of
this contrast? What does it signify?”
Perhaps you are not sure yet, either. That’s fine—begin to
work on comparing scenes from the book and see what you
discover. Free write, make lists, jot down Huck’s actions and
reactions. Eventually you will be able to clarify for yourself,
and then for the reader, why this contrast matters.

9. +
Thesis Example
Through its contrasting river and shore scenes, Twain’s
Huckleberry Finn suggests that to find the true expression of
American democratic ideals, one must leave “civilized”
society and go back to nature.
This final thesis statement presents an interpretation of a literary
work based on an analysis of its content. The words I have
bolded are forecasting words—words that you will return to in
the essay as you work to prove your thesis.
Of course, for the essay itself to be successful, you must now
present evidence from the novel that will convince the reader of
your interpretation.
Modified from a handout from “The Writing Center.” University of North Carolina

10. +
The Sixties!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZUZKtko4R0

11. + Presentation: The 60s
 1960 First U.S. public gathering of lesbians, at San
Francisco’s Daughters of Bilitis national convention.
 1961 The Vatican declare that anyone who is “affected by
the perverse inclination” towards homosexuality should not
be allowed to take religious vows or be ordained within the
Roman Catholic Church.
 1961 First openly gay person runs for U.S. public office
(drag queen Jose Sarria, running for San Francisco city
supervisor).
 1964 “Life“ magazine runs positive cover story on
“Homosexuality in America.”
 1965 Everett George Klippert is arrested for private,
consensual sex with men. After being assessed “incurably
homosexual,” he is sentenced to an indefinite “preventive
detention” as a dangerous sexual offender.

12.  1966 First U.S. gay community center opens, in San Francisco, led by
The Society for Individual Rights.
+
 1966 First transgender public uprising at San Francisco’s Compton’s
Cafeteria
 1967 England and Wales legalize male homosexuality.
 1967 The Black Cat Tavern
On the night of New Years, several plain clothed police officers infiltrated
the Black Cat Tavern in Los Angeles. After arresting several patrons for
kissing to celebrate the occasion, the self-unidentified police officers
began beating several of the patrons and ultimately arrested 16 more bar
attendees which included 3 bartenders. The bar had been established only
two months prior. This created a riot in the immediate area, ultimately
bringing about a more civil demonstration of over 200 attendees several
days later protesting the raids. The protest was met by squadrons of
armed policemen. Two of the men arrested for kissing were later convicted
under state law and registered as sex offenders. The men appealed,
asserting the right of equal protection under the law, but the U.S. Supreme
Court did not accept their case.

13. +
 1967 “John” turned into “Joan” at John Hopkins Hospital after a
circumcision accident; published case widely impacts gender theory.
(David Reimer)
http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/medical_examiner/2
004/06/gender_gap.html
 1968 The American Psychiatric Association moves homosexuality from
“sociopathic” category to “sexual deviation.”
 1969 Stonewall Riots At 1:20 in the morning on Saturday, June 28,
1969, four plainclothes policemen in dark suits, two patrol officers in
uniform, and Detective Charles Smythe and Deputy Inspector
Seymour Pine arrived at the Stonewall Inn and announced “Police!
We’re taking the place!”
 1969 National Institute of Mental Health study chaired by Dr. Evelyn
Hooker urges decriminalization of private sex acts between consenting
adults.

14. +QHQ Part 1: Beebo Brinker
Jack
 Q: How does Jack contribute positively to Beebo’s new life in Greenwich Village
in the beginning?
 Q: Why does Jack continue to use his wealth to help others, when he has been
taken advantage of in the past?
 Q: Is there another reason, other than not wanting to scare her off, for Jack not
telling Beebo right away that he’s gay?
 Q: Does Jack care for Beebo because he sees himself in her?
 Q: Does Jack’s nature foreshadow Beebo’s fears of the temporary nature of
their living arrangement?
 Q: Do you believe that the way Jack’s preference for younger lovers is
addressed any differently than the way a heterosexual man’s preference for
younger lovers might be seen during the time period?

15. +
Part 1: Beebo
 Q: Does Beebo’s young age give an insight so her risky
behavior?
 Q does Beebo see herself of a man in a woman’s body
(heterosexual) as opposed to a woman who is a
lesbian(homosexual)?
 Why doesn’t Beebo first accept the fact that she’s a lesbian,
when Jack takes her to the lesbian only bar?
 Q: Why does Beebo take so long to show Jack that she is
really a lesbian?
 Q: Why did Beebo go after Mona after hearing about how
undesirable she is?

16. +
Part 1: Other characters
 Q: Where did the incredibly negative attitude of Beebo’s brother
come from, if not from their father?
 Q: What does Pete serve as in the story? What type of person
does he represent?
 Q Both novels [Beebo Brinker and Giovanni’s Room] are about
one’s sexual identity and its confusion; however, what makes
difference between Beebo and David?
 Question: Why give Venus that name in particular?

17. +QHQ Part 2: Beebo Brinker
by Ann Bannon
 Q: Does Beebo just do what she wants with little regard to others? If so, is
this justified?
 Q: Do you think the excuse of Beebo being young and new to her sexuality
gives her the right to do as she pleases in life?
 Q: Why are Mona and Pete so obsessed with Beebo? Is there any special
reason for that? (Except for Beebo rejected them)
 Q: How does Beebo feel about Paula after kissing Venus?

18. +
Venus and Beebo
 Q: Did Beebo truly love Venus?
 Q: Why does Beebo run away with Venus?
 Q: If Venus was truly a lesbian, why is she attracted to a butch lesbian
like Beebo, who was very masculine?
 Do you think the relationship between Beebo a Venus a common one
among lesbians during that time? (The fact they had to keep it secret)
 Q: How is Toby’s relationship with Venus similar to Beebo’s
relationship with her father?
 Q: Does Leo’s cuckolding help him identify with Beebo in any way?
 Q: Did Jack have an involvement with the tip of Venus and Beebo?

19. +
The End and Beyond
 Q: What was the overall lesson that Beebo learned from her
experience?
 Q: Is this a happy ending? Will Beebo love Paula forever? Are
they going to spend rest of their lives together?
 Q: After it’s all been said and done, how does Beebo feel about
the changes in her life?
 Q: What parts of this book seems accurate to what the LGBTQ
community experiences, and what parts aren’t?

20. +Author Introduction: Patricia Nell Warren
 Patricia Nell Warren was born in 1936 and grew
up on a cattle ranch in Montana. She has been
a publishing professional since 1959. Her
provocative literary themes quite often
dramatize a conflict between individual liberty
and authoritarian culture while revealing
unconventional social perspectives and
exploring the deepest vulnerabilities in human
nature.
 An avid sportswoman, Warren's own
experience as a long-distance runner and
athlete influenced her writing in The Front
Runner and about sports generally. She
acknowledged her lesbianism soon after
publishing The Front Runner in 1974.

21. +
Homework
Begin The Front Runner
1974 Patricia Nell Warren
Post #11: QHQ Front
Runner: first half
Post #12: Argumentative
thesis statement for essay
#1