English Ph.D. Dissertations
The Art of Heterotopian Rhetoric: A Theory of Science Fiction as Rhetorical Discourse
Date of Award
2009
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Department
English/Rhetoric and Writing
First Advisor
Sue Carter Wood (Committee Chair)
Second Advisor
William Armaline (Committee Member)
Third Advisor
Kristine Blair (Committee Member)
Fourth Advisor
Thomas Wymer (Committee Member)
Abstract
This study builds a theory or vocabulary that explains science fiction (SF) as a form of persuasion, called Heterotopian Rhetoric. This rhetoric utilizes a cognitively estranged scientific heterotopia (an other place: a utopia, eutopia, or dystopia) as a proof and appeal that persuasively demonstrates to dynaton, what is possible. The vocabulary of Heterotopian Rhetoric is built through the contextual re-vision and synthesis of SF critical theory, classic rhetoric, sophistic rhetoric, feminist rhetoric, and several relevant philosophical and scientific vocabularies. The use of a cognitively estranged scientific heterotopia (CESH) as a proof and an appeal is particularly useful when the rhetor/author wants to critique readers' hegemonies and privileged cognitive paradigms, especially those with which they identify. The CESH proof provides a psychological projection situated within the realm of potentiality that absorbs direct criticism and subverts the readers' defense mechanisms. Numerous feminist SF novels can be read as utilizing the CESH proof to critique and persuade their traditionally white, male audiences by “educating” their cognitive paradigms or “ways of seeing”. So after building the vocabulary of Heterotopian Rhetoric in chapters one through three, Chapter Four applies and exemplifies the vocabulary through a case study of Octavia E. Butler's Lilith's Brood trilogy. The study concludes by suggesting further study of Butler's Parables novels and their embedded Earthseed text as not only Heterotopian Rhetoric, but rhetorical theory.
Recommended Citation
Graves, Robert Christopher, "The Art of Heterotopian Rhetoric: A Theory of Science Fiction as Rhetorical Discourse" (2009). English Ph.D. Dissertations. 58.
https://scholarworks.bgsu.edu/eng_diss/58