(In)humans: Shifting Narratives of Race And Species In Contemporary Fantasy Fiction

Abstract

In this dissertation I interrogate the ways in which the fantasy genre engages with the topic of race, in particular the ways in which it uses the established genre convention of non-human sentient species to tell stories that both critique and reinforce hegemonic narratives of race. I begin with an overview of the fantasy genre's thorny history with race, tracing the timeline from the early days of what is recognizable as the 'modern' fantasy genre (largely beginning with Tolkien) all the way to the present day. My primary focus is on the last several decades (the 21st century) and the ways in which the genre has evolved to be more critical of both its own history with race and the dominant narratives around race in society at large, while still oftentimes being held back by the habits and habitus that it developed in its early days. I examine a wide range of primary sources across different mediums (novels, video games, television series) to demonstrate different strategies employed by contemporary fantasy authors who are interested in engaging critically with race, while also identifying their shortcomings and foibles. In the process I call upon a wide range of theoretical perspectives, from literary theory, to psychology, to Black feminism, Critical race theory, and post-colonial thought. The dissertation concludes with my thoughts on the future of the fantasy genre vis-à-vis race, and the advantages and disadvantages it has for dealing with this topic as a result of the unique history and qualities of the genre.