Cyborg Bodies, Human Minds: Robert Venditti's The Surrogates, Yukito Kishiro's Battle Angel Alita and the Great Myth of Posthumanism

The topic of humans altered and improved through advanced cyborg technology—technology that amalgamates animal and machine—has long been of interest in science fiction, gaining popularity in most Western countries and Japan. This paper examines two graphic novel series, Robert Venditti’s The Surrogates and Yukito Kishiro’s Battle Angel Alita, in relation to cyborg humans and the theoretical concept of posthumanism, defined as a state that transcends the limitations of human existence with the help of cutting-edge technologies. The posthuman theory of Donna Haraway suggests that the cyborg has the potential to change humanity for the better, to challenge essentialist dichotomies and harmful identity politics. However, theorists like Katherine Hayles warn about the dangers inherent in technologies that allow humanity to “master” the body—and mortality—completely. This paper critically examines both perspectives and, ultimately, the viability of a utopic posthuman state.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts (MA)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

English

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Graduate Studies

Year dc:date.issued

2015

Author dc:creator

• Massey, Samantha

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Beaty, Bart

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Blue, Gwendolyn
• Camara, Anthony

• Literature--American
• Literature--Asian

Statement dc:rights

• University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.

Language dc:language.iso

eng

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/25507

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ucalgary.scholaris.ca:11023/2698