Fierke, Jennifer2012-05-302012-05-302012-05-30https://hdl.handle.net/11299/124135University of Minnesota master's thesis. Spring 2012. Degree: Master of Liberal Studies. Advisor: Jen Caruso. 1 computer file (PDF)Talking about embodiment is political, whether the discussion is about “race,” gender, “ability,” size or body modification. Despite significant leaps forward in equity during the twentieth century, beings continue to be constrained—practically, intellectually, emotionally, sexually, and expressively—because of how we imagine bodies. This project brings embodiment into relief by focusing on two seemingly disparate theories: Victorian evolutionary theory and posthumanism. Both are explored via the dual lenses of nineteenth-century speculative fiction and works of fantastic digital media, providing theoretical and cultural frameworks for challenging dominant paradigms of embodiment.en-USdarwinposthumanismevolutiondigital mediaelectronic literaturespeculative fictionscience fictionfantasyThesis or Dissertation