Sleuthing Through the Waves: Detecting Woman-Crafted Women Sleuths Through the Three Waves of Feminism
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D)
Department
Literature and Languages
Date of Award
5-22-2024
Abstract
This study thoroughly evaluates the characteristics of woman detectives written by woman authors during the first through third waves of feminism. The study examines notable and noteworthy woman authors and detectives from the United States and the United Kingdom during each wave by adopting a textual interpretation approach. The study delves into each woman author's sociohistorical contexts and detective life. Amelia Butterworth, created by Anna Katherine Green and Loveday Brooke, created by C.L. Pirkis, were both written during the first waves of feminism in the United States and the United Kingdom. Amanda Cross wrote Kate Fansler, and P.D. James wrote Cordelia Gray during the frantic second wave, when their characters looked both backward toward the respectability and traditions of the first wave and forward in terms of what they could accomplish. Janet Evanovich and Denise Mina tackle third-wave woman detectives Stephanie Plum and Maureen O’Donnell, who both still need to prove that women can do the work of men just as well as, if not better than, men. Less traditional and more socially conscious woman detectives who demonstrate a need to advocate for other women while proving themselves worthy of the detective title mark the second wave of feminism. Kate Fansler does this in Death in a Tenured Position, and Cordelia Gray does this in An Unsuitable Job for a Woman. The third wave of feminism brought Stephanie Plum in the United States and Maureen O’Donnell in the United Kingdom. Both are strong and independent women, both of whom are amateurs. Ultimately, this study contributes to our understanding of how the waves of feminism influenced the depictions of woman detectives and offers insights into the evolution of the character of the woman detective.
Advisor
Hunter Hayes
Subject Categories
Arts and Humanities | English Language and Literature
Recommended Citation
Ward, Melisa Dawn, "Sleuthing Through the Waves: Detecting Woman-Crafted Women Sleuths Through the Three Waves of Feminism" (2024). Electronic Theses & Dissertations. 1156.
https://digitalcommons.tamuc.edu/etd/1156
