The Monstrous Voice: M.R. Carey’s The Girl with All the Gifts

Lauren Ellis Christie

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter (peer-reviewed)peer-review

    2 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    “The Monstrous Voice” explores constructions of childhood, pedagogy and posthumanism in The Girl with all the Gifts . This chapter will consider traditional tropes of science fiction, whilst questioning the fluidity of this genre with horror and fantasy. A disease that neurologically hijacks the host, turning them into a “hungry”, infects the protagonist. However, due to her age, Melanie remains psychologically juvenile, innocent and vulnerable. The unique narrative voice of such a naïve character emphasises the brutality of mankind (questioning the definition of a monster), the impact of her pedagogical upbringing, and the role of scientific intervention. This chapter will explore the relationship between the reader and the protagonist, regarding Melanie’s struggle against instinct generated from this artificial parasite. Above all, it will show the development of Melanie’s character, how her love for education enhances her maturity and how she is forced to decide the best course of action ensuring the future of mankind.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationChildhood, Science Fiction, and Pedagogy
    Subtitle of host publicationChildren Ex Machina
    EditorsDavid Kupferman, Andrew Gibbons
    PublisherSpringer Singapore
    Chapter3
    Pages41-56
    Number of pages16
    Edition1
    ISBN (Electronic)9789811362101
    ISBN (Print)9789811362095 (hbk)
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 24 Apr 2019

    Publication series

    NameChildhood: Global Posthumanist Perspectives and Materialist Theories
    ISSN (Print)2523-3408
    ISSN (Electronic)2523-3416

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