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"Vaulting the Sea" & Queer Representation

Is “Vaulting the Sea” good queer representation? 

My feelings about “Vaulting the Sea” are quite conflicted. In many ways, it is a good story. From its narrative structure to the author’s writing style, I see a lot of great qualities in this story, but there was something about it that felt all too familiar in an uncomfortable way. 


Unrequited love seems to be a common trope when it comes to queer literature, with characters who secretly spend years chasing after the same person only to be rejected. These stories are filled with pain and struggle. They function as both love stories and coming-of-age stories. These types of stories do serve a purpose and can share an aspect of the queer experience, but when it’s the only kind of story you see, it makes you wonder why queer love can never succeed. 


It’s unclear whether “Vaulting the Sea” is a story of unrequited love, but what is clear is that Taoyu doesn’t get the guy. The story at the very least plays into the trope of unrequited love, and good representation should not have to rely on tropes. Aside from that, there’s also the creepy older coach character who plays into the very harmful stereotype that gay men are predators. Together, these characteristics make the story fall short of feeling like good queer representation. 


On the other hand, this story does not take place in America, and as such the main characters are not white. The story steers away from the stereotype of a white gay man as the main character and there is a focus on intersectionality here, but still, the story leaves me wanting more. “Vaulting the Sea” tells a valuable story, but it’s also a story that’s been told before, which is why I don’t feel like it’s a good queer representation. Is it better than other stories? Yes, but it could also be better. There are ways to explore sexuality without focusing so much on pain and hidden, shameful crushes. There are so many more types of stories of queer love that can be told, so why is unrequited love one of the few people choose to focus on?

Comments

  1. Andrea_TorelliMay 24, 2022 at 6:08 PM

    Wow, this is a really great post! I agree with your point about how, despite taking a step in a good direction by showing non white queer characters, it's kind of a let down that it chooses to depict yet another sad, unrequited love story. I think that it would be much better to see more stories about happy, healthy queer relationships so that people do not see that as so unattainable or impossible. Good work!

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  2. Emma MurawskiMay 27, 2022 at 4:18 PM

    This is a fantastic post! I really like your point about how queer relationships and love are often put into the same category of tropes such as unrequited or inevitable death for the queer characters. In this case, I definitely see how the story falls short in that aspect. Although it could be relatable in some cases, it feels like more often than not, queer love stories never work out or are not built around a story of healthy love or situations. However, I totally agree that it is quite the change of pace as the story is not revolved around a white gay man as many queer stories are. Great post!

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