Corrupt Reading in/of Hemingway’s A Simple Enquiry

Contextualizes the story within the prevailing theories of sexologists and psychiatrists of Hemingway’s time identifying homosexuality as a mental disorder or perversion that can be read through one’s body, behavior, and demeanor. Moddelmog details her approach for engaging students in a rereading of the story that examines the ethical implications of these reading practices that resulted in the creation of the “corrupt” homosexual, reading practices that continue to influence contemporary criticism. Argues that a close reading of the text’s numerous ambiguities opens up a range of plausible interpretations and point to Hemingway’s opposition to oversimplified judgments regarding sexuality. Appendix includes assignments and resources for student research