Brave New Androgynous World: Representations of Androgyny in American Women\u27s Science Fiction

Magistrsko delo se ukvarja z analizo reprezentacij androginosti v znanstvenofantastičnih delih ameriških avtoric druge polovice prejšnjega stoletja (Ursule K. Le Guin, Marge Piercy in Octavie Butler). Uvod je namenjen opredelitvi izmuzljivega, protejskega koncepta androginosti, ki ponuja mnoštvo različnih definicij – medtem ko nekateri teoretiki oz. teoretičarke svarijo pred tradicionalnimi konotacijami koncepta androginosti, ki temelji na patriarhalnem modelu inkorporacije (ženskega) Drugega v (moški) jaz z namenom eliminacije ženskega dela dvojice, drugi v njem prepoznavajo možnost dekonstrukcije epistemoloških binarizmov. Po uvodu, kjer so povzete različne definicije koncepta, sledi literarnokritična analiza petih izbranih romanov. Kljub svoji patriarhalni dediščini in utemeljenosti na spolnem binarizmu se koncept androginosti na podlagi analize del ameriških feminističnih avtoric izkaže za učinkovito sredstvo prevpraševanja konvencionalnih idej o spolu in preseganja dualizmov. Pri njegovi uporabi pa moramo biti izredno previdni, saj se zaradi svoje utemeljenosti na patriarhalnih predpostavkah včasih še vedno rad ujame v labirint patriarhalne binarne logike, iz katerega skuša pobegniti.This thesis deals with the representations of androgyny in American women\u27s science fiction of the second half of the 20th century (the works of Ursula K. Le Guin, Marge Piercy and Octavia Butler). In the beginning, we attempt to define the elusive, protean concept of androgyny that offers countless definitions. Some critics believe androgyny is a dangerous concept due to the traditional connotations associated with it, as it often takes the incorporation of the (female) Other into the (male) self as its model, thus eliminating the female part of the couple. Others believe it to be a useful tool for deconstructing epistemological binaries. The theoretical introduction is followed by a critical analysis of the selected novels. Despite androgyny’s patriarchal origins and its reliance on the sex dualism, the analysis of the selected works by the American science fiction authors reveals that the concept can serve as a powerful tool for questioning conventional ideas on sex and gender as well as transcending dualisms. However, one must tread lightly when dealing with the concept of androgyny, as it is very easy for it to get trapped in the labyrinth of patriarchal binary logic