Gender and the Fall in Philip Pullman's "His Dark Materials" Trilogy

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• 1. Introduction
• 2. Origin and studies of gender
  • 2.1. The Christian construction of gender: the Fall
    • 2.1.1. Analysis of Genesis 2-3
    • 2.1.2. Affirmative implications of Genesis 2-3
  • 2.2. Scientific investigations: gender studies
    • 2.2.1. About gender studies
    • 2.2.2. Gender studies and fantasy fiction
    • 2.2.3. The protagonists' names
• 3. Gendered worlds
  • 3.1. Familiar cultures
    • 3.1.1. Lyra's Oxford: medieval patriarchy
    • 3.1.2. Witches and bears: single-sex societies
  • 3.2. Other worlds
    • 3.2.1. Cittàgazze: dystopia
    • 3.2.2. The Mulefa: utopia
• 4. Biblical allegories: Protagonists in HDM
  • 4.1. Mary Malone
    • 4.1.1. Mary's life: science versus religion
    • 4.1.2. The serpent and the saint
  • 4.2. Mrs Marisa Coulter
    • 4.2.1. Femme fatale, Lilith or vicious stepmother
    • 4.2.2. Mother fatale or loving mother?
  • 4.3. Lyra Belacqua / Silvertongue
    • 4.3.1. Lyra's childhood: missing role models
    • 4.3.2. Lyra as female hero
• 5. The Fall in HDM
  • 5.1. Prerequisites
    • 5.1.1. Eve and Adam
    • 5.1.2. The Church
  • 5.2. The Fall
    • 5.2.1. Two antipodal versions
    • 5.2.2. Lyra and Will

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This essay analyzes the portrayal of gender in Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy, exploring how Pullman reimagines the biblical story of the Fall through the lens of gender studies. The essay examines the complexities of gender roles and expectations within the trilogy's various societies and characters.

• The Christian construction of gender and its lasting impact.
• Gender roles and societal structures in Pullman's fictional worlds.
• Analysis of key female characters as allegorical figures.
• Pullman's reinterpretation of the Fall narrative.
• The intersection of religion, science, and gender in the trilogy.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The introduction establishes the essay's focus on gender and the Fall narrative within the context of Pullman's trilogy. It discusses the lasting influence of the Adam and Eve story and introduces the field of gender studies. Subsequent chapters analyze Genesis 2-3, exploring its traditional interpretations and considering more recent, positive interpretations within the context of gender studies. The essay then surveys gender studies in general, and specifically in relation to fantasy literature, before moving to an examination of the names of Pullman's protagonists and the societal structures of their worlds. The main body focuses on three key characters – Mary Malone, Marisa Coulter, and Lyra Belacqua – analyzing their roles and development in relation to the Fall as portrayed in the trilogy. Finally, the essay examines the prerequisites and various versions of the Fall within Pullman's narrative.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

Gender studies, His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman, The Fall, Genesis 2-3, gender roles, allegorical figures, fantasy fiction, patriarchy, dystopia, utopia, religion, science.