Date of Award
5-2019
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts - English
Department
English
First Advisor
Dr. Elizabeth Tasker-Davis
Second Advisor
Dr. Michael Martin
Third Advisor
Dr. Ericka Hoagland
Fourth Advisor
Dr. Dusty Jenkins
Abstract
This master’s thesis explores Fay Weldon’s implementation of Menippean satire in her 1983 novel, The Life and Loves of a She-Devil. The present discussion argues Weldon utilizes this specific satiric mode within her novel in order to convey a story of radical female empowerment and evolution that critiques gendered stereotypes of marriage and female roles in society. To make this argument, this thesis applies satire theory, most prominently Mikhail Bakhtin’s ideas about Menippean satire, as well as marriage and family psychology, to Weldon’s characterization of wives, husbands, and mistresses throughout the novel. Through this discussion, Rivera demonstrates the effectiveness of Weldon’s social commentary and refutes criticism that deems Weldon’s work anti-feminist in nature.
Repository Citation
Rivera, Jackson A., "Radical Empowerment and Evolution in Fay Weldon’s Menippean Satire: The Life and Loves of a She-Devil (1983)" (2019). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 273.
https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/etds/273
Creative Commons License
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