Stephen F. Austin State University
Radical Empowerment and Evolution in Fay Weldon’s Menippean Satire: The Life and Loves of a She-Devil (1983)
Abstract
dc:description.abstract<p>This master’s thesis explores Fay Weldon’s implementation of Menippean satire in her 1983 novel, <em>The Life and Loves of a She-Devil. </em>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.</p>
Degree
thesis:*- Name thesis:degree_name
- Master of Arts - English
- Level thesis:degree_level
- Thesis
- Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
- English
- Year dc:date.available
- 2019
Author and committee
dc:creator, dc:contributor.*- Author dc:creator
-
- Rivera, Jackson A.
- Contributors dc:contributor
-
- Dr. Elizabeth Tasker-Davis
- Dr. Michael Martin
- Dr. Ericka Hoagland
Subjects
dc:subject × 8Identifiers
dc:identifier.*- Repository record dc:identifier
- https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/etds/273
- OAI identifier oai:identifier
- oai:scholarworks.sfasu.edu:etds-1268