Angela Carter and Western Philosophy

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-vii

   PDF

2. Introduction: Angela Carter’s (De)Philosophising Business

   • Heidi Yeandle

   Pages 1-12

3. ‘The Father of Lies, Plato’

   • Heidi Yeandle

   Pages 13-42

4. Hobbes and Rousseau in Heroes and Villains

   • Heidi Yeandle

   Pages 43-77

5. Descartes, Locke and Hume

   • Heidi Yeandle

   Pages 79-116

6. Wittgenstein and Ryle in Doctor Hoffman

   • Heidi Yeandle

   Pages 117-145

7. Kant, Sade and Moral Philosophy

   • Heidi Yeandle

   Pages 147-187

8. Conclusion

   • Heidi Yeandle

   Pages 189-193

9. Back Matter

   Pages 195-215

   PDF

This book unearths Carter’s deconstruction of the male-dominated discipline of Western thought. Revealing the extensive philosophical research that underpins Carter’s intertextual work, this book offers new readings of her fiction in relation to a range of philosophical texts and ideas. By re-examining Carter’s writing with reference to the archived collection of her notes that has recently become available at the British Library, Angela Carter and Western Philosophy puts forward new interpretations of Carter’s writing practices. With chapters examining her allusions to Plato, Hobbes and Rousseau, Descartes, Locke and Hume, Wittgenstein and Ryle, as well as Kant and Sade, this book illuminates Carter’s engagement with different areas of Western thought, and discusses how this shapes her portrayal of reality, identity, civilisation, and morality. Angela Carter and Western Philosophy will be of interest to researchers, lecturers, and students working on contemporary women’swriting, philosophy and literature, and intertextual literary practices. 

• twentieth century literature
• philosophical deconstruction
• postmodern philosophy
• feminist philosophy
• political philosophy
• moral philosophy
• androcentricity
• The Passion of New Eve
• The Infernal Desire Machines of Doctor Hoffman
• Plato
• Theory of Forms
• positive liberty
• Thomas Hobbes
• René Descartes
• John Locke
• David Hume
• Ludwig Wittgenstein
• Gilbert Ryle
• Immanuel Kant
• Marquis de Sade

“Angela Carter and Western Philosophy is an invaluable contribution to Carter studies, not only providing some brilliant new readings of Carter’s novels but also opening up new lines of inquiry for future scholarship. This is essential reading for all Carter scholars.” (Maggie Tonkin, Contemporary Women's Writing, Vol. 13 (1), March, 2019)

• Swansea University , United Kingdom, United Kingdom

  Heidi Yeandle

Heidi Yeandle teaches English Literature at Swansea University, UK. She has published articles and book chapters on Angela Carter as well as other contemporary female writers.

Policies and ethics