The Discursive Material

Name: The Discursive Material
Brand: UNIVERSITY PRESS OF MISSISSIPPI
Price: 90.75 AUD
Availability: PreOrder

Constructions of Femininity in Young Adult Speculative Fiction

By: Tharini Viswanath

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Paperback | 15 December 2026

At a Glance

Paperback
192 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
22.9 x 15.2

Paperback

$90.75

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Available: 15th December 2026

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In The Discursive Material: Constructions of Femininity in Young Adult Speculative Fiction, author Tharini Viswanath underscores the importance of examining depictions of feminine adolescent bodies in young adult literature. Drawing from theories of material feminism and young adult literature scholarship, she supplements existing discussions of gender and sexuality in young adult literature by demonstrating how language and embodiment are essential for young feminine characters to develop a sense of agency. That is, characters must be adept at navigating their worlds linguistic systems and accept their respective embodimentshowever unique or marginalized they may beto have the power to enact social change. Viswanath also demonstrates how, in addition to strong feminine characters, young adult narratives need to prioritize sustainable female friendships and reliable communities to truly inspire a shift in patriarchal culture.

The Discursive Material offers an in-depth analysis of changing and liminal feminine adolescent bodies across a wide range of speculative young adult literature and film such as Marissa Meyers Lunar Chronicles, Tracy Deonns Legendborn, the new Ms. Marvel comics, and Disney-Pixars Turning Red. The Discursive Material makes a vital contribution to scholarship on social and material constructions of adolescent bodies in young adult literature and, in bridging the gap between theoretical analysis and classroom application, it offers a compelling model for feminist pedagogy in higher education.

Industry Reviews

"An important and nuanced look at materiality and language in the representation of adolescent girls" - Ashley N. Reese, author of The Rise of American Girls' Literature

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