An Analysis of Queerness in the Hollow Star Saga by Ashley Shuttleworth
Author
Poulsen, Cecilie Gravesen
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2024
Submitted on
2024-06-06
Pages
77
Abstract
This thesis examines how the first three novels in Ashley Shuttleworth’s Hollow Star Saga depict queer identities within a homonormative fantasy world. Framed by current calls for greater diversity in young adult literature, the study situates itself in scholarship that underscores both the formative value of LGBTQ+ books for adolescent readers and the ongoing underrepresentation of minority protagonists in popular YA titles. Drawing on theories of homonormativity, fantasy worldbuilding (including storyworlds and narrative fabric), queer and feminist narrative theory, character analysis, female masculinity, and intersectionality, the project undertakes a qualitative close reading of the series’ opening trilogy. The analysis focuses on how worldbuilding, narrative voice, and character portrayals help construct a homonormative setting, how a range of LGBTQ+ identities are articulated and intersect, and how these choices comment on the Primary World. The thesis also considers escapism and the importance of queer YA literature, highlighting how such narratives can offer recognition, alternative futures, and a sense of agency for young readers. Designed as a theoretically informed textual analysis, the study links the saga’s fantastical elements to questions of norms, identity, and representation; specific findings are presented in the completed thesis.
Dette speciale undersøger, hvordan de tre første bind i Ashley Shuttleworths Hollow Star-saga fremstiller queer identiteter i en homonormativ fantasyverden. Med udgangspunkt i bevægelsen mod større mangfoldighed i ungdomslitteratur placeres projektet i en forskningskontekst, der fremhæver både den formative værdi af LGBTQ+ bøger for unge læsere og den fortsatte underrepræsentation af minoriteter i populære YA-udgivelser. Specialet kombinerer teorier om homonormativitet, fantasygenrens worldbuilding (bl.a. storyworlds og narrativt væv), queer og feministisk narrativ teori, karakteranalyse, kvindelig maskulinitet og intersektionalitet for at gennemføre en tekstnær analyse af seriens første tre romaner. Analysen fokuserer på, hvordan verdensopbygning, fortællerstemme og karakterportrætter kan skabe et homonormativt univers, hvordan forskellige LGBTQ+ identiteter manifesteres og interagerer, og hvordan disse greb samtidig kommenterer den primære verden. Endelig diskuteres eskapisme og betydningen af queer bøger i YA-genren for at belyse, hvordan sådanne fortællinger kan give unge læsere genkendelse, alternative fremtidsmuligheder og øget handlekraft. Specialet er designet som en kvalitativ nærlæsning, der sammenholder sagaens fantastiske elementer med teorier om normer, identitet og repræsentation; konkrete resultater opsummeres i det fulde projekt.
[This apstract has been generated with the help of AI directly from the project full text]