Performativity in Bohemia: theoretical aspects of the transgressions of gender

Abstract

According to the performative theory developed by feminist Judith Butler in the nineties –inspired by John Austin and John Searle’ philosophy of language and Jacques Derrida’s subsequent comments– the little rebellions of everyday “being” and “doing” are more than identity games, since they have the chance to set new rules which can subvert the established order of domination. Following this idea, which has aroused so much debate in feminist theory, this article analyses the subversive power of so-called Bohemia during the period of time in which it was born –the end of the nineteenth century. The analysis focuses particularly on finding out the structure behind the breaking of patriarchal rules, which are viewed as the niche of social representations most resistant to change.