Representations of Masculinity in Works Featuring Female Characters Who Transcend Gender in Contemporary British and American Children's Literature

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K02504
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Literature in English
• Research Institution: Kyushu University
• Principal Investigator: Taniguchi Hideko 九州大学, 言語文化研究院, 特任研究者 (70179092)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 現代英米児童文学 / ジェンダー / 男性性 / 女性性 / 男性表象 / フェミニズム / ジェンダー越境 / 比較文学

Outline of Final Research Achievements

(1) I surveyed and analyzed British and American children's literature works (including anime, comics, etc.) created mainly since 1970 that feature female characters freed from conventional gender, and created a database of such works. (2) For comparative purposes, I surveyed and analyzed Japanese children's literature works featuring female characters who are liberated from conventional gender. (3) Based on the above, I conducted a theoretical study on the relationship between female gender transgression and empowerment and male representation and masculinity in works that depict female characters freed from conventional gender. (4) Some of the research results have been presented in articles, a research book, and oral presentations at domestic and international academic conferences. (5) Some of the research results have been shared with the society through public lectures.

Free Research Field

英米児童文学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の研究成果の学術的意義は、ジェンダーにとらわれない女性像を描く現代児童文学作品における男性表象を分析することにより、これらの作品が女性登場人物をジェンダーから解放するにあたって、家父長制的なジェンダー構造やヘゲモニックな男性性とどのように対峙し、男性像と男性性をどのように描き、男女の関係性をどのように提示しているかを明らかにすることができ、現代英米児童文学におけるジェンダーにとらわれない女性像の提示のメカニズムを明らかにすることを目指した点である。また、本研究の研究成果が、社会におけるジェンダー格差の解消とジェンダー平等を目指す社会的な啓発活動の一助になり得れば幸いである。