Feminity in the Male Dominated World of Science Fiction
|Femininity in the Male Dominated World of Science Fiction |
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|Christel August Haygood |
|Dr. Loretta Burns |
|ENGL 400.01 |
|April 26, 2010 |
Octavia Butler has used the nontraditional characterization of female characters in her various works to express the themes of sexuality, race, issues of social criticism, and the role of women in society. This can be seen in many of her works such as Kindred, Fledgling, and Bloodchild and Other Stories. Through her eyes, she uses her female characters to portray the heroes. With this, Butler uses her stories to explore the issues that face them at that time. Butler expertly integrates the use of science fictive storytelling as a means of awakening the world to the issues that face society, and especially society to the plight of African Americans.
In this study, one will analyze Octavia Butler’s female character “Edana” and how she uses this woman to explore the realms of sexuality, societal position and race in the world that Butler creates for them. It will be supported primarily through her work Kindred; it will also present evidence from outside critics of her works and authors who are also knowledgeable of this particular topic area. The main points to be presented will be: What is the purpose of using the elements of science fiction in order to engage readers in a particular story? How is each female character used to explain the various aspects of women in society? Why does Butler choose to
| |
| |
|Christel August Haygood |
|Dr. Loretta Burns |
|ENGL 400.01 |
|April 26, 2010 |
Octavia Butler has used the nontraditional characterization of female characters in her various works to express the themes of sexuality, race, issues of social criticism, and the role of women in society. This can be seen in many of her works such as Kindred, Fledgling, and Bloodchild and Other Stories. Through her eyes, she uses her female characters to portray the heroes. With this, Butler uses her stories to explore the issues that face them at that time. Butler expertly integrates the use of science fictive storytelling as a means of awakening the world to the issues that face society, and especially society to the plight of African Americans.
In this study, one will analyze Octavia Butler’s female character “Edana” and how she uses this woman to explore the realms of sexuality, societal position and race in the world that Butler creates for them. It will be supported primarily through her work Kindred; it will also present evidence from outside critics of her works and authors who are also knowledgeable of this particular topic area. The main points to be presented will be: What is the purpose of using the elements of science fiction in order to engage readers in a particular story? How is each female character used to explain the various aspects of women in society? Why does Butler choose to
Bibliography: Gates. New York: Meridian, 1990. 471-478. Best, Allison Stein. “Octavia E. Butler.” Science Fiction Chronicle: The Monthly Science Fiction & Fantasy Newsmagazine 17.3 (1996): 8, 42-43. American Studies, Inc. 22.1 (2003): 16-20. 92.6 (2003): 70-74. Jesser, Nancy. “Blood, Genes and Gender in Octavia Butler’s Kindred and Dawn.” Extrapolation: A Journal of Science Fiction and Fantasy 43.1 (2002): 36-61 Fiction and Fantasy 43.1 (2002): 36-61. Salvaggio, Ruth. "Octavia Butler and the Black Science Fiction Heroine." Black American Literature Forum 18.2 (1984): 78-81. Zaki, Hoda M. "Utopia, Dystopia, and Idealogy in the Science Fiction of Octavia Butler." Science Fiction Studies 17.2 (1990): 239-251.