Motherless Creations: Fictions of Artificial Life, 1650-1890

This book explores how motherless creations like Pygmalions statue, Frankensteins creature, homunculi, automata, androids, golems, and steam men symbolize artificial life and the belief that technology will transform humans into superior beings. These creations often serve as sexual companions or subaltern figures, illustrating the importance of reproductive rights in defining human identity in fictions of artificial life.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 29 January 2024
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating book delves into the fascinating phenomenon of the elimination of maternal characters in American, British, French, and German literature before 1890. By examining motherless creations such as Pygmalion's statue, Frankenstein's creature, homunculi, automata, androids, golems, and steam men, the author sheds light on the emergence of artificial life, living systems created through manufactured means. These beings, often referred to as "artificial life," represent a departure from natural processes and serve as a testament to human ingenuity and imagination.

The desire to create life ex-utero was fueled by misconceptions about the origins of life, perpetuating pseudoscientific beliefs about the birthing body. Physicians, inventors, and authors of literature envisioned a future where life could be generated without the involvement of women, allowing for the control of reproduction and the production of perfect progeny. This speculative fiction, prevalent before 1890, holds a significant place in the literary genealogy of transhumanism, the belief that technology will one day enable humans to transcend their current limitations and become superior, immortal beings.

Interestingly, female motherless creations often function as sexual companions, while male ones frequently emerge as subaltern figures, reminiscent of enslaved beings. This portrayal illustrates the profound impact that reproductive rights have on the perception of human identity in fictional narratives of artificial life. By challenging traditional notions of motherhood and femininity, these creations redefine what it means to be human and raise thought-provoking questions about the boundaries of humanity and the potential for technological advancement.

In conclusion, this book offers a profound exploration of the interplay between motherhood, technology, and the construction of human identity in literature before 1890. Through its examination of motherless creations, it sheds light on the historical roots of transhumanism and highlights the enduring significance of reproductive rights in shaping our understanding of what it means to be human.

Weight: 485g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032266398