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A masculine circle : the charter myth of genius and its effects on women writers
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Chibici-Revneanu, Claudia (2011) A masculine circle : the charter myth of genius and its effects on women writers. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.
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Official URL: http://webcat.warwick.ac.uk/record=b2692903~S1
Abstract
This dissertation examines the concept of artistic genius and its workings
as a functional ‘charter myth’, helping to inscribe, enhance and perpetuate
discriminative practices against women within the field of literature in general
and novel writing in particular.
As an active agent as well as symbolic representation of some core
patriarchal values such as the innate supremacy and thus justified dominance of
men, the concept of genius operates in the following manner: Firstly, through its
multiple mythical elements such as the untruth of its affirmations surrounding
creativity combined with a paradoxical ability to nevertheless produce evidence
for its seeming accuracy; its inherent narrative structure featuring a prescribed
genius hero and tale and the latter’s powerful mythical allure, all of which help to
push the prominence of genius despite its continued academic deconstruction.
Secondly, through the subtle yet powerful gendering of the protagonist and plot
pattern it provides, containing a clear blue-print for a hero with a male body
complemented or opposed by a subordinate, non-genius female.
This gendered mythical pattern directly affects women writers in a variety
of manners. On the one hand, it assists the lastingly biased reception of women
authors, pre-imposing genius-inscribed beliefs of female inferiority onto literary
judgments, thus cyclically perpetuating that belief. On the other – and most
importantly for this thesis – the myth of genius also has an inward bearing on
many female writers, impeding their creative process and development especially
through the myth’s complex interaction with self-confidence as one of the core
features necessary for a successful completion of literary projects such as novels.
Item Type: | Thesis (PhD) |
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Subjects: | H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman P Language and Literature > PN Literature (General) |
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): | Women and literature, Genius, Creative ability -- Political aspects, Sex discrimination in literature, Authorship -- Sex differences |
Official Date: | May 2011 |
Institution: | University of Warwick |
Theses Department: | Centre for Cultural Policy Studies |
Thesis Type: | PhD |
Publication Status: | Unpublished |
Supervisor(s)/Advisor: | Bilton, Chris |
Extent: | x, 328 leaves. |
Language: | eng |
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