Final answer:
Compulsory heterosexuality, the social norm that enforces heterosexuality as the default sexual orientation, was first theorized by Adrienne Rich. It addresses how society influences individuals to conform to heterosexual norms, often marginalizing other sexual orientations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept of compulsory heterosexuality was first theorized by Adrienne Rich. Compulsory heterosexuality is defined as the idea that heterosexuality is assumed and enforced by a patriarchal and heteronormative society. This socialization insists on the naturalness of attraction between different genders and establishes it as the default sexuality, sidelining and marginalizing other sexual orientations. Rich's groundbreaking work 'Compulsory Heterosexuality and Lesbian Existence' outlines the concept that women are taught from a young age to believe that their value lies in their relationship to men. The essay suggests that society pushes individuals towards heterosexual unions and marginalizes same-sex relationships, thereby limiting the understanding and acceptance of a more fluid sexual continuum. Literary texts that illustrate the impact of compulsory heterosexuality on characters include works like Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice', where characters feel pressure to enter into heterosexual marriages for economic and social standing, and more modern texts such as Jeffrey Eugenides' ' Middlesex', which explores the complexities of gender and sexuality against a rigid societal backdrop.