Men are Stronger; Women Endure: A Critical Analysis of the Throne of Glass and the Mortal Instruments Ya Fantasy Series Cover Image

Men are Stronger; Women Endure: A Critical Analysis of the Throne of Glass and the Mortal Instruments Ya Fantasy Series
Men are Stronger; Women Endure: A Critical Analysis of the Throne of Glass and the Mortal Instruments Ya Fantasy Series

Author(s): Katherine Cruger
Subject(s): Gender Studies, Media studies, Fiction, Semiology, Cognitive Psychology, Hermeneutics
Published by: University of Lincoln and World Experience Campus Foundation
Keywords: Young Adult; literature; symbolic annihilation; media criticism; The Mortal Instruments; Throne of Glass;

Summary/Abstract: This study analyzes two popular YA fantasy series: Cassandra Clare’s The Mortal Instruments and Sarah J. Maas’ Throne of Glass. We evaluate both series for explore tropes and themes common to YA fantasty. Research shows that popular series have importat effect on identity formation of readers, for good or ill. We conclude that, despite often being written by women and about girls, the narratives found in YA often perpetuate internalized sexism, play into racist tropes, reduce heroines to love interests, romanticize unhealthy relationships, use rape as a plot device, and abuse characters’ reproductive abilities.

  • Issue Year: 3/2017
  • Issue No: 10
  • Page Range: 115-132
  • Page Count: 18
  • Language: English
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