Subversive Spirits: The Female Ghost in British and American Popular Culture

The female ghost has remained in the shadows, but Subversive Spirits: The Female Ghost in British and American Popular Culture brings her into the light, exploring her cultural significance in a variety of media from 1926 to 2014. Robin Roberts argues that the female ghost is worth studying for what she can tell us about feminine Subjectivity in cultural contexts. The book examines appearances of the female ghost in heritage sites, theater, Hollywood film, literature, and television in the United States and the United Kingdom, and how she changes over time, especially responding to changes in gender roles. Roberts also analyzes heritage sites that use the female ghost as the friendly and inviting narrator for tourists, and how the female ghost expands her influence to become a mother and savior to all humanity in the British and American versions of the television hit Being Human.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 184 pages
Publication date: 28 February 2020
Publisher: University Press of Mississippi

The supernatural has surged in popularity across literature, television, and film, captivating audiences with its captivating tales of vampires, zombies, werewolves, witches, and wizards. These iconic figures have garnered immense critical acclaim, becoming integral to the entertainment industry. However, one enigmatic character has remained largely overlooked in this realm—the female ghost. Inherently liminal and often literally invisible, the female ghost has nonetheless made her presence felt across all genres.

In her groundbreaking book, Subversive Spirits: The Female Ghost in British and American Popular Culture, Robin Roberts delves into the significance of this spectral presence, shedding light on its cultural relevance from 1926 to 2014. Roberts argues that the female ghost holds immense value in exploring feminine subjectivity within cultural contexts. Through a comprehensive examination of appearances of the female ghost in heritage sites, theater, Hollywood films, literature, and television in the United States and the United Kingdom, Roberts uncovers the uncanny ability of these female spirits to disrupt, illuminate, and challenge gendered assumptions.

As with other supernatural figures, the female ghost undergoes a transformative journey over time, particularly in response to evolving gender roles. Roberts's analysis begins with comedic female ghosts in literature and film, gradually transitioning into the realm of horror by examining the successful play The Woman in Black and the legend of the weeping woman, La Llorona. She then situates the canonical works of Maxine Hong Kingston and Toni Morrison within the tradition of the female ghost, exploring how these authors utilize the ghost to portray the struggles and pain of women of color. Roberts further analyzes heritage sites that employ the female ghost as a friendly and inviting narrator for tourists, adding depth to her exploration.

The book concludes with a comparative analysis of the British and American versions of the television series Ghost Whisperer, highlighting the nuances and variations in their portrayal of the female ghost. Subversive Spirits: The Female Ghost in British and American Popular Culture is a groundbreaking work that offers a fresh perspective on this enigmatic character, shedding light on her cultural significance and the ways in which she continues to inspire and challenge us. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the supernatural, gender roles, and the power of storytelling.

Weight: 284g
Dimension: 149 x 229 x 10 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781496825582