Turning People into Things: Object Relations and Posthuman Reproduction in Weird Short Fiction

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

    Abstract

    When Franz Hiller, physician, meets Beatrice at the Berlin fair an event displaying wonders of the modern age, automobiles, propeller planes, mechanical servants, difference engines, and other things that would accompany man into the future’ it is love at first sight. Weird fiction is known for being unapologetically transgressive, imaginative, and strange’; accordingly, these Weird narratives diverge from ideal visions of human relationships, reproduction and bodies. Human interaction here is secondary to subjectobject relations. Throughout the story, both Franz and Anna are oblivious to the potential intimacy of their human relationship. They both share the same warehouse space, they share the heat of Hercules’ oven, they share meals and Franz shares in Anna Goldberg’s experiences of pregnancy, even to the point of delivering her baby and yet they never really connect. Weird fiction is known for being unapologetically transgressive, imaginative, and strange’; accordingly, these Weird narratives diverge from ideal visions of human relationships, reproduction and bodies.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationGender and Sexuality in Contemporary Popular Fantasy: Beyond Boy Wizards and Kick-Ass Chicks
    Subtitle of host publicationBeyond Boy Wizards and Kick-ass Chicks
    PublisherRoutledge, Taylor & Francis
    Pages85-96
    Number of pages12
    ISBN (Electronic)9781317130543
    ISBN (Print)9781472447531
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2016

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