Fantasising the self: a study of Alasdair Gray's 'Lanark', '1982 Janine', 'Something Leather' and 'Poor Things'
Abstract
This thesis explores the use of fantasy in Alasdair Gray's major fictions: Lanark
(1981), 1982 Janine (1984), Something Leather (1990) and Poor Things (1992).
The main purpose is to study the way Alasdair Gray borrows elements from
different forms of fantasy - magical realism, pornography, the Gothic and science
fiction - in order to explore and resolve the internal conflicts of his characters.
In the introduction current definitions of fantasy are surveyed. Also explored is
the concept of magical realism, as one of the objectives of the thesis is to
demonstrate that some of Gray's work, particularly Lanark, presents some of the
characteristics of this branch of Postmodernism.
The first chapter concerns Lanark. The juxtaposition of fantasy and
realism is explored in order to show the fragmentation of the self represented by
the figure of Thaw/Lanark. Also paradoxes and contradictions at the heart of this
work are investigated from the point of view of form and content. Of particular
importance is the conflict between the individual and society.
In the chapter dealing with 1982 Janine, the concept of deidealisation is
introduced to show how Jock deals with the figures in his past, Scotland and
himself Jock's personal conflicts and damaged psyche are explored through his
pornographic fantasies.
In chapter III Something Leather is compared to works by Sade,
particularly their use of sadomasochistic and homosexual fantasies as a form of
social subversion.
Chapter IV discusses Poor Things from the point of view of how characteristics
typical of the Gothic novel are parodied to explore gender issues such as the
construction of female identity by a male Other. Parallelisms between this novel
and Salman Rushdie's Midnight's Children and John Fowles' A Maggot are also
explored.
In the conclusion the main concerns and obsessions of Gray's fiction are explored
through a discussion of his shorter fiction.
Type
Thesis, PhD Doctor of Philosophy
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