Role reversal societies: Difference between revisions
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'''Role reversal societies''' are a | '''Role reversal societies''' are a narrative conceit: the depiction of societies in which the [[gender role]]s of the writer's society have been reversed. | ||
A key defining element of these works is the mirroring of some aspect of contemporary (usually) or historical (occasionally) [[patriarchy|patriarchal]] culture. The mirroring might be comprehensive, as in ''[[Egalia's Daughters]]'', or of just a few major aspects of society. Often, but not usually, these are societies in which the role reversal is viewed as uncritically from that society's point of view, as patriarchy is viewed from a patriarchal perspective. | A key defining element of these works is the mirroring of some aspect of contemporary (usually) or historical (occasionally) [[patriarchy|patriarchal]] culture. The mirroring might be comprehensive, as in ''[[Egalia's Daughters]]'', or of just a few major aspects of society. Often, but not usually, these are societies in which the role reversal is viewed as uncritically from that society's point of view, as patriarchy is viewed from a patriarchal perspective. | ||
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The mirroring aspect of gender role reversal creates a [[satire|satirical]] or commentary effect. This is in contrast with simply [[worldbuilding]] by creating a society which views [[gender roles]] differently than most modern cultures presently do, as in trying to envision what a [[matriarchy]] might realistically look like. As satire or critical commentary, this mirroring may either offer critique of existing patriarchal societies and gender roles; ''or'' the mirroring may offer critique of an imaginary matriarchal or feminist society, implicitly naturalizing and [[reifying]] socially constructed gender roles by showing the absurdity of a [[regendering|gender transposition]]. | The mirroring aspect of gender role reversal creates a [[satire|satirical]] or commentary effect. This is in contrast with simply [[worldbuilding]] by creating a society which views [[gender roles]] differently than most modern cultures presently do, as in trying to envision what a [[matriarchy]] might realistically look like. As satire or critical commentary, this mirroring may either offer critique of existing patriarchal societies and gender roles; ''or'' the mirroring may offer critique of an imaginary matriarchal or feminist society, implicitly naturalizing and [[reifying]] socially constructed gender roles by showing the absurdity of a [[regendering|gender transposition]]. | ||
See [[List of works with gender role reversal]] | * See [[List of works with gender role reversal]] | ||
[[Category:Social themes]] | [[Category:Social themes]] | ||
[[category:Themes and tropes by name]] | |||
Latest revision as of 10:08, 7 June 2010
Role reversal societies are a narrative conceit: the depiction of societies in which the gender roles of the writer's society have been reversed.
A key defining element of these works is the mirroring of some aspect of contemporary (usually) or historical (occasionally) patriarchal culture. The mirroring might be comprehensive, as in Egalia's Daughters, or of just a few major aspects of society. Often, but not usually, these are societies in which the role reversal is viewed as uncritically from that society's point of view, as patriarchy is viewed from a patriarchal perspective.
The mirroring aspect of gender role reversal creates a satirical or commentary effect. This is in contrast with simply worldbuilding by creating a society which views gender roles differently than most modern cultures presently do, as in trying to envision what a matriarchy might realistically look like. As satire or critical commentary, this mirroring may either offer critique of existing patriarchal societies and gender roles; or the mirroring may offer critique of an imaginary matriarchal or feminist society, implicitly naturalizing and reifying socially constructed gender roles by showing the absurdity of a gender transposition.