Death Note - A Queer Reading

[lynkemma]

Months ago, I wrote a short essay on what I saw as some central themes of Death Note. At the time, I promised to maybe eventually get round to a queer reading of the series. Here it is. As with the previous essay, this one is full to the brim with spoilers. It's also badly organised and very Light-centric. I hesitated to write this, because it felt

Comments

[bacon_icecream]

I just want to let you know that I love your essays.
It's neat to see an intelligent take on certain things,
rather than just saying something's right because you say so.
On your fears of this being too obvious, to be honest, I didn't know some of the stuff you described.
The fact that Light was only looking at porn to fool L and that he was thinking of him while looking just blew right over my head.
I always try to analyse the programs I watch that are worthwhile, but sometimes I forget to pay attention to the little things.
Thanks for this and the other one. :]

[lynkemma]

Aw, thank you! I really appreciate that. It's good to know that the essays are enjoyable to read, and that I'm not just stating things that are way too obvious. ^^

And your icon rules.

[bacon_icecream]

No problem!
It was fun to read it and go "OH YEAH! How did I miss that...?".
:D

Why, thank you. x3

[lynkemma]

So until recently you thought Light enjoyed porn for its own sake? ^^ That seems very un-Light-like.

[the_penumbra]

Your essay is very well written. I always thought of L and Light as simply being disinterested in male/female dilemmas - what matters is only the mind. That's what attracts them. They are both so detached from society, and so convinced of their superiority that they're simply not stimulated by anything sexual (e.g. Misa's attempts at 'seducing' Light).

When his true identity is demonstrated, he is utterly traumatised, and tries and fails to defend himself, to gain acceptance by society at large. He can only connect with someone who, like him, tries to keep his true identity a secret, who tries to avoid being caught out.

Beautiful sentence and encompasses Light's dilemma. He can't deal with having his facade broken down - any flaws have been so well hidden that he's succeeded in fooling himself that he's perfect. When he realises he's not... well, hell breaks loose.

Well done.

[lynkemma]

Both L and Light are extremely cerebral people, certainly. Their mutual attraction/connection/desire is decidedly primarily intellectual in nature.

He can't deal with having his facade broken down - any flaws have been so well hidden that he's succeeded in fooling himself that he's perfect.

*nod* And that inner conviction that he is perfect is of course the reason why he allows himself to do the things he'd kill others for doing.

[crystalespers]

Just wanted to say your essay was very informative and interesting. I enjoyed reading all of it.

[lynkemma]

Thanks! ^^ It makes me happy to hear that.

[lunarsensitive]

Cool essay. It makes me very happy to know I'm not the only one who cannot be convinced that Light is straight. One thing I noticed in the manga which you may or may not interpret as "queer" was whenever Light regains his memories and informs the task force and L that he will have to meet Misa outside headquarters because he has developed feelings for her. L did not seem too pleased at that. And since the narrative usually outlines L's thoughts in regard to the investigation, the fact that L's thoughts in the following panel were not along the lines of, "Oh noes! Light is ebil again because he's pretending to like Misa. His morals are bye bye," I can only think he hasn't made that connection and is unhappy because he is actually considering Light's love for Misa as the truth. Poor L!

[lynkemma]

Thanks! And yeah, whatever Light is, he is decidedly not straight.

Good point about that moment when Light regains his memory - I'm going to have to reread that scene, now. ^^

[_ame_no_chikara]

May I just say that I love that scene on the rooftop when L says "In your entire life, have you ever spoken the truth?" It's a beautifully written scene. I love how the sound cuts out to emphasize that and the rain audio begins again as Light weaves another lie. Just... wow. I'm glad you brought that up. It's one of the most powerful moments in Death Note (for once, I wish something was in the manga!)

I enjoyed your essay a lot and don't have a book to write you in response this time =p Great job!

[lynkemma]

Yeah, that scene is beautiful. In many ways, I think it's a far more important indication of their mutual connection and understanding than the more famous foot-massage scene. It's so beautifully construed, too - in addition to the rain silence/sound thing, there's the sudden zoom-in on Light's face as he is utterly naked, utterly shocked at L's comment.

Thank you for the very interesting comment on the other essay. I'll respond, but possibly not today. It's late in my part of the world, and I want to write a coherent reply. ^^