This term paper is set out to investigate the rise of fanfictions, the reasons as to why they became particularly popular among women and what sort of circumstances and settings are used the most.
However, considering these settings, this term paper will put its main focus on homosexual relationships/fanfictions, to investigate the way masculinity is depicted. Since there are many instances in which men resemble women, it raises the question. Do fanfiction writers change the image of masculinity in order to experiment and act out their sexual fantasies because it is easier and more enjoyable to write about partners, who are considered „equal‟ in terms of their sex?
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- 1. Definition of Masculinity
- 2. Fanfiction
- 2.1 Slash Fanfiction
- 2.1.1 "A/B/O" and "Omegaverse"
- 2.1.2 "Mpreg"
- 3. Masculinity within the Omegaverse
- 4. Opinions about Slash Fanfiction
Objectives and Key Themes
This term paper investigates the rise of fanfiction, its popularity among women, and common settings, focusing on homosexual relationships and the depiction of masculinity within slash fanfiction. It explores whether fanfiction writers alter the image of masculinity to fulfill sexual fantasies or experiment with portrayals of 'equal' partners.
- The definition and social construction of masculinity.
- The history and evolution of fanfiction, particularly slash fanfiction.
- The impact of popular fanfiction tropes like "Omegaverse" and "Mpreg" on the perception of masculinity.
- Reader and writer opinions on slash fanfiction and its portrayal of masculinity.
- The exploration of power dynamics and gender roles within slash fanfiction.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage by exploring the phenomenon of fanfiction, its origins in unmet needs of existing narratives, and its evolution, particularly within the context of online communities. It introduces the term paper's central focus: examining the depiction of masculinity in slash fanfiction, particularly the question of whether women writers use it to explore their own sexual fantasies or to subvert traditional representations of masculinity.
1. Definition of masculinity: This chapter delves into the definition of masculinity as a social construct, contrasting it with biological sex and gender. It examines traditional societal expectations of men, highlighting the problematic aspects of toxic masculinity and its impact on both men and women. The chapter emphasizes the evolving understanding of masculinity and the complexities introduced by diverse sexual orientations and gender identities, ultimately leading into the context of slash fanfiction which challenges these traditional norms.
2. Fanfiction: This chapter traces the history of fanfiction, discussing its origins and evolution from early fanzines to its current prevalence on the internet. It highlights the role of fandoms, particularly the Star Trek fandom, in shaping fanfiction's trajectory. It discusses the shift from primarily male-dominated fan communities to a predominantly female authorship, examining the reasons behind this change and the implications for the themes and styles of the written works. The chapter also touches upon the evolving understanding and acceptance of different types of relationships within fanfiction.
2.1 Slash fanfiction: This chapter focuses specifically on slash fanfiction, defining it and discussing its historical development. It explores the significance of the slash symbol and its use to denote same-sex relationships in fan fiction, contrasting its initial uses with its current prevalent depiction of romantic and sexual relationships between men. The debate surrounding its primary audience is also discussed, challenging simplistic assumptions about the genre's writers and readers.
Keywords
Masculinity, Fanfiction, Slash Fanfiction, Omegaverse, Mpreg, Gender, Sexuality, Fandom, Social Construction, Representation, Power Dynamics.
FAQ: Analysis of Masculinity in Slash Fanfiction
What is the main topic of this term paper?
This term paper investigates the depiction of masculinity in slash fanfiction, focusing on the rise of fanfiction, its popularity among women, and common settings, particularly homosexual relationships. It explores whether fanfiction writers alter the image of masculinity to fulfill sexual fantasies or experiment with portrayals of 'equal' partners.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include the definition and social construction of masculinity; the history and evolution of fanfiction, especially slash fanfiction; the impact of tropes like "Omegaverse" and "Mpreg" on the perception of masculinity; reader and writer opinions on slash fanfiction and its portrayal of masculinity; and the exploration of power dynamics and gender roles within slash fanfiction.
What is slash fanfiction?
Slash fanfiction is a genre of fanfiction that focuses on romantic or sexual relationships between male characters, often drawn from existing media franchises. The term originates from the "/" symbol used to denote these pairings (e.g., "Kirk/Spock"). The paper explores its historical development and the ongoing debate surrounding its primary audience and purpose.
What are Omegaverse and Mpreg?
Omegaverse and Mpreg are popular tropes within slash fanfiction. Omegaverse is a genre convention that often involves elements of A/B/O dynamics (Alpha, Beta, Omega), impacting power dynamics and gender roles. Mpreg refers to male pregnancy, which is another common trope used to challenge traditional notions of masculinity and gender roles.
What is the significance of the female authorship in slash fanfiction?
The paper examines the shift from primarily male-dominated fan communities to a predominantly female authorship in fanfiction. It analyzes the reasons behind this shift and its implications for the themes and styles of the written works, exploring the potential motivations behind female writers' portrayals of masculinity in this context.
How does the paper define masculinity?
The paper defines masculinity as a social construct, distinguishing it from biological sex and gender. It examines traditional societal expectations of men, including the negative aspects of "toxic masculinity," and explores how these expectations are challenged and redefined within the context of slash fanfiction and its evolving portrayals of male relationships.
What is the role of the introduction chapter?
The introduction sets the stage by explaining the phenomenon of fanfiction, its origins, and its evolution, particularly within online communities. It highlights the paper's central focus: examining how masculinity is depicted in slash fanfiction and whether it's used by female writers for sexual fantasy exploration or subversion of traditional masculinity representations.
What are the chapter summaries provided?
Summaries are given for the introduction, definition of masculinity, fanfiction in general, slash fanfiction specifically, and further analysis of its themes and the differing opinions of its readers and writers. They give a brief overview of the key arguments and findings presented within each section of the paper.
What are the keywords associated with this research?
Key words include: Masculinity, Fanfiction, Slash Fanfiction, Omegaverse, Mpreg, Gender, Sexuality, Fandom, Social Construction, Representation, Power Dynamics.
What is the overall purpose of this analysis?
The paper aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of how masculinity is portrayed and potentially redefined within the context of slash fanfiction, considering the perspectives of both writers and readers and taking into account the evolution of the genre and its unique conventions like Omegaverse and Mpreg.
- Citar trabajo
- Leonie Quicker (Autor), 2019, How and Why does Slash Fanfiction alter the Depiction of Masculinity?, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1151619
