New Books in Literary Studies Sara Burdorff, "Maternity, Monstrosity, and Heroic (Im)mortality from Homer to Shakespeare" (Amsterdam UP, 2025)
Feb 2, 2025
Sara Burdorff, a scholar at Guilford College and author of "Maternity, Monstrosity, and Heroic (Im)mortality from Homer to Shakespeare," discusses her innovative approach to epic narratives. She introduces the concept of the 'belly-monstrous,' linking mothers and warriors in classical literature. Burdorff highlights the vital role of female suffering in shaping immortal legacies, reinterpreting Greek tragedies and Shakespeare's works. Her insights challenge traditional gender norms, offering fresh perspectives on monstrosity and maternity across time.
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Monster Theory and Gender
- Monster theory helps us understand cultural views by analyzing what they deem monstrous.
- The female is often considered monstrous in male-dominated societies, defined by what she is not rather than what she is.
The Belly-Monstrous
- The "belly-monstrous" represents the stomach and uterus, seen as interchangeable in ancient thought, capable of both creation and destruction.
- This concept highlights the ambivalent nature of life processes like war, childbirth, and maternity, where outcomes are uncertain and uncontrollable.
Double Standard of Violence
- Warriors are glorified for violent appetites in battle, while similar traits in women are demonized.
- This double standard reveals a cultural bias in how we perceive violence based on gender.
