Jean, Audrey;
(2023)
(En)Gendering Difference: A fourth-wave account of K/S fanfiction as a
literature, performance, and community of affect.
Doctoral thesis (Ph.D), UCL (University College London).
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Abstract
This study investigates how female and queer Star Trek fans use fanfiction on Kirk and Spock (K/S) being lovers to experience feminist feelings of belonging within fandom spaces. It is based on textual analysis of popular K/S fanfiction texts, fan writer in-depth interviews, fan reader structured short interviews, and observations of writers and readers through textual comments left on K/S fanfictions. The research’s analytic focus explores norms and practices around fans’ dealing with gender, sexuality, literacy and affect through K/S. Situated at the intersection of fourth-wave feminism and fourth-wave fan studies, this thesis draws new insights from an interdisciplinary approach to slash fanfiction practices (literary theory, gender performativity, affective discourse). By conceptualising slash as an affective-discursive, queer feminist gendering practice, the subsequent feelings of belonging to the fandom make visible the relationship between community and identity. Fans develop inclusive discourses as a social practice to provide respite from hegemonic masculinity and heterosexuality, as well as offer reworkings of it. Building on earlier research about fanfiction as literature, gender performativity, and affective gift economies, the findings show Star Trek fans use Kirk and Spock to develop new normative gender and sexuality discourses. Fan writer interviews illustrate how writing K/S uses media literacy to teach discourses of equality and queer positivity. Textual analysis of fanfictions and interviews of writers illustrate how K/S enables specific discourses around ‘good’ queer relationships and ‘true’ (as opposed to harmful) masculinities. Observation of reader-writer interactions in comments left on fanfictions, as well as reader interviews, illustrate how fans experience feelings of belonging to the Star Trek fandom through the use of specific feels culture discourses—based upon an affective gift economy. K/S fans build a network of relationships through writerly practices: this thesis exposes how fandom becomes a site of fighting against social injustices together.
| Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Qualification: | Ph.D |
| Title: | (En)Gendering Difference: A fourth-wave account of K/S fanfiction as a literature, performance, and community of affect |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | Copyright © The Author 2023. Original content in this thesis is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) Licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/). Any third-party copyright material present remains the property of its respective owner(s) and is licensed under its existing terms. Access may initially be restricted at the author’s request. |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Education UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Education > UCL Institute of Education UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Education > UCL Institute of Education > IOE - Education, Practice and Society |
| URI: | https://discovery-pp.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10182181 |
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