Reading feminist Science Fiction from the 60s until nowadays, we can trace the development of feminist theories towards a deconstruction of the categories that constitute the notion of ‘woman’, such as ‘gender’ or ‘body’. SF, adopting feminist theoretical ideas goes beyond mere deconstruction to affirmative reconstruction of a world freed from bias and set social categories, while offering a space for inspiration and experimentation with new ideas. The article presents some central feminist theoretical ideas around the notion of ‘woman’, ‘gender’ and ‘body’ and the concept of ‘gender/militarization’ through a parallel reading of important feminist SF novels and points out spaces where feminist theory expands ideas developed in SF narratives.
From Deconstruction to Affirmation
Congratulations! for the article! Well written!! The struggling with the effort of writing is constant and rather difficult but the outcome is pleasant. Continue the good work! And as i read :”Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.” - Samuel Becket
Mainly focussing on the books of Ursula LeGuin, this article points out that feminist SF was and is mirroring the theoretical feminist debates. The vivid argumentation discloses the mutual relationship between feminist theory and SF.
By explaining the impact of SF into this relationship, Elektra Paschali points out what she calls a “fruitful thinking out of the box” (p. 3). So feminist SF opens up new horizons of cognition into theoretical debates.
In this regard dozens of theoretical debates should seek for such a space to get new inspirations.
By shedding light on some important examples of the feminist Science Fiction since 60s until today, Elektra Paschali examines the parallel and interconnected evolution of notions such as women, gender, etc., in ‘feminist theories’ and ‘feminist SF’. The article could be attractive for three groups of people. Firstly, those who are interested in Science Fiction and literary works in general; secondly, those who show interest in feminism and feminist theories; and above all, those who seek to find relations between social theory and Science Fiction, i.e. those people who are concerned with sociology of literature. The ideas presented in the article, can be of a great value for further literary and sociological research.