The Development of the “Evil Woman” in Fantasy Literature since 1940
Class
Article
Graduation Year
2017
College
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Department
English Department
Faculty Mentor
Joyce Kinkead
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Abstract
This project involves researching representations of evil women in fantasy literature since 1940 to see how and/or if representations of evil women have changed. By evil, I mean morally corrupt or wrong. My purpose in conducting this study is to analyze the representations of evil women in fantasy literature to reveal what characteristics an evil woman in fantasy literature possesses that make her evil. My desire to study evil women in fantasy literature arose from analyzing the similarities among the White Witch in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, Mrs. Coulter in The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman, and Dolores Umbridge in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling. Analyzing these three women revealed that, even though they differ, they have distinct similarities that make them evil. This sparked my desire to see if representations of evil women in fantasy literature have changed through the past century or if they have stayed the same. The books to be subjected to analysis include Mistress Masham’s Repose by T.H. White, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, The Castle of Llyr by Lloyd Alexander, Charmed Life by Diana Wynne Jones, Matilda by Roald Dahl, The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling, and Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard. The characteristics of evil women were quantified and charted with a publication timeline to reveals trends. My poster will include a discussion of research methods, a review of literature, findings, and suggestions for future research.
Location
North Atrium
Start Date
4-13-2017 1:30 PM
End Date
4-13-2017 2:45 PM
The Development of the “Evil Woman” in Fantasy Literature since 1940
North Atrium
This project involves researching representations of evil women in fantasy literature since 1940 to see how and/or if representations of evil women have changed. By evil, I mean morally corrupt or wrong. My purpose in conducting this study is to analyze the representations of evil women in fantasy literature to reveal what characteristics an evil woman in fantasy literature possesses that make her evil. My desire to study evil women in fantasy literature arose from analyzing the similarities among the White Witch in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, Mrs. Coulter in The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman, and Dolores Umbridge in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling. Analyzing these three women revealed that, even though they differ, they have distinct similarities that make them evil. This sparked my desire to see if representations of evil women in fantasy literature have changed through the past century or if they have stayed the same. The books to be subjected to analysis include Mistress Masham’s Repose by T.H. White, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, The Castle of Llyr by Lloyd Alexander, Charmed Life by Diana Wynne Jones, Matilda by Roald Dahl, The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling, and Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard. The characteristics of evil women were quantified and charted with a publication timeline to reveals trends. My poster will include a discussion of research methods, a review of literature, findings, and suggestions for future research.