Date of Award

2024

Document Type

Master Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

CRAWFORD COLLEGE OF ART & DESIGN

First Advisor

Dr Lucy Dawe Lane

Second Advisor

Colin Crotty

Abstract

‘Reclaiming Fantasy: The Female Protagonist in Works of Visual Art, Literature and Film’ charts representations of the female protagonist through the media in which the archetype is most prominent. From fairy tales to the slasher film, the female protagonist’s representation has been consistent with narratives that pertain to patriarchal constructions of gender. This is particularly true of genres that work on a level of ‘suspension of disbelief’, such as fantasy. This thesis presents findings on the reclamation of the female protagonist by female voices using a multidisciplinary approach, combining feminist theory, literary criticism, and visual art studies. From the 17th century French court, where the female pioneers of the conte de fées (fairy tales) emerged, to contemporary visual artists who actively challenge established fairy tale narratives and broader fantasy themes, as well as post-modern reinterpretations of the slasher genre’s female protagonist The Final Girl, there has been a consistent reframing of the protagonist. The findings of this research assert that there has been a progressive shift towards the portrayal of complex and empowered female protagonists. The thesis has been completed in tandem with studio-based research into painting practice which explores themes of fantasy and the concept of the female protagonist.

Access Level

info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess

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