Feminism, Imperialism, Utopianism, and Science Fiction in Margaret Cavendish's “Blazing World"

Authors

Terina Garza Vazquez, University of Texas-Pan American

Date of Award

8-2010

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Literature

First Advisor

Dr. Matthew Christensen

Second Advisor

Dr. Linda M. Belau

Third Advisor

Dr. Gary Schneider

Abstract

Margaret Lucas Cavendish (1623-1673), the Duchess of Newcastle, was a woman writer in seventeenth-century England who was the first woman in history to be allowed within the halls of the Royal Society. She was also the first woman to write what should be considered the first work of science fiction by a woman titled The Description of a New World Called, The Blazing World, or simply The Blazing World. This thesis focuses on The Blazing World which offers a proto-feminist critique of imperialism and of gender relations in seventeenth-century England and of England’s emergent imperialist culture and points to a more egalitarian and utopian future.

Comments

Copyright 2010 Terina Garza Vazquez. All Rights Reserved.

https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/feminism-imperialism-utopianism-science-fiction/docview/760028348/se-2

Granting Institution

University of Texas-Pan American