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Feminine Horrific Powers: The Feminist Liberatory Potential of Abject Aesthetics
Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2026.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
2026
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| _version_ | 1867613901735067648 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Bruce, Robin |
| author2 | Du Toit, H. L. |
| author_browse | Bruce, Robin Du Toit, H. L. |
| author_facet | Du Toit, H. L. Bruce, Robin |
| author_sort | Bruce, Robin |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | Stellenbosch University |
| description | Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2026. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/135647 |
| institution | Stellenbosch University (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:43:30.888Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| publishDateRange | 2026 |
| publishDateSort | 2026 |
| publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| publisherStr | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| spelling | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/135647 Feminine Horrific Powers: The Feminist Liberatory Potential of Abject Aesthetics Bruce, Robin Du Toit, H. L. Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Philosophy. Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2026. Bruce, R. 2026. Feminine Horrific Powers: The Feminist Liberatory Potential of Abject Aesthetics. Unpublished masters thesis. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/6271bf96-f396-48a3-abc7-01423be7286b This thesis enquires whether elements of feminine abjection in horror films can aid a feminist liberatory project. I hypothesise that the answer to this question is yes, since feminist abjection’s productivity is located in its role as a marker of discrimination, which simultaneously aids in exposing oppressive societal structures and helps to reimagine these structures. However, the critiques levelled against abjection show that there is a danger in the uncritical uptake of feminine abjection. Therefore, I argue that abjection’s connection to the monstrous figure makes it potentially productive for women’s liberation in the use of art, and specifically film, when handled with caution. This study originated from recognition of the widespread problem of the commodification of women’s aesthetic beauty, which has been interpreted as a way to discipline and control women, by devaluing and rendering disgusting, perceived ugliness (deviation from the beauty standard) in women. Beauty has been framed as the main currency with which women buy their value in society, leading to a well-documented obsession in women with being perceived as beautiful, regardless of the cost to one’s body and psyche. Hence, this study takes a radical step in exploring the potential for a liberatory project through the embrace of female/feminine monstrosity, that which women are supposed to fear the most in themselves. Situated in the fields of feminist aesthetics, psychoanalysis, and film theory, this study uses Julia Kristeva’s theory of abjection as the basis for a film theory of the monstrous-feminine figure. Kristeva’s project is well-known as an attempt to move away from Lacan’s phallocentric conceptualisation of the subject. This study draws on Barbara Creed’s work on Kristeva to substantiate an argument in favour of female characters and narratives in film that revolve around female subjectivity (women’s struggles, psyches, and experiences) instead of around a phallocentric conceptualisation of the female subject/object. Ultimately, this thesis argues that the feminine abject as depicted in feminist horror film has a liberatory feminist potential to expose misogynist discrimination and its destructive effects. Additionally, the abject in horror films has the potential to be a mode of change through the connection with powerful monstrous figures and narratives of female revolt, capable of uncovering and reimagining harmful patriarchal structures. The study affirms the liberatory potential of abject aesthetics in creating new narratives where women's and more-than-human unique "subjectivities" can be freely explored. In doing so, it highlights the continued relevance of abject feminist art practices in the ongoing struggle against the commodification and objectification of women. It also considers moving beyond human subjectivities, underscoring the necessity of imaginative and transgressive cultural interventions for achieving true gender liberation. Masters 2026-04-07T07:57:50Z 2026-04-07T07:57:50Z 2026-03 Thesis https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/135647 en Stellenbosch University 139 pages : ill. application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| spellingShingle | Bruce, Robin Feminine Horrific Powers: The Feminist Liberatory Potential of Abject Aesthetics |
| title | Feminine Horrific Powers: The Feminist Liberatory Potential of Abject Aesthetics |
| title_full | Feminine Horrific Powers: The Feminist Liberatory Potential of Abject Aesthetics |
| title_fullStr | Feminine Horrific Powers: The Feminist Liberatory Potential of Abject Aesthetics |
| title_full_unstemmed | Feminine Horrific Powers: The Feminist Liberatory Potential of Abject Aesthetics |
| title_short | Feminine Horrific Powers: The Feminist Liberatory Potential of Abject Aesthetics |
| title_sort | feminine horrific powers the feminist liberatory potential of abject aesthetics |
| url | https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/135647 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT brucerobin femininehorrificpowersthefeministliberatorypotentialofabjectaesthetics |