The Representation of Reality in the Works of Jeanette Winterson. A Mercury of Fact (PDF)

Bachelor Thesis from the year 2017 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: 85.0%, University of Chester, language: English, abstract: This study investigates the way in which Jeanette Winterson's works represent the self and the nature of existence by systematically challenging the authenticity of the construct of reality itself. It lays particular emphasis on the philosophical manner in which Winterson encourages her readers to live their own lives anew, and to learn to manipulate reality to their own ends, through the formation of a self-image which has a predominantly fictional basis.

The introduction to the study establishes the eight primary Wintersonian texts upon which the subsequent analysis centres, before proceeding to consider Winterson's works in the light of Roland Barthes' "The Death of the Author". Chapter 1.0 considers the impact of Winterson's postmodern aesthetic upon her work and her reader, and investigates the specifically linguistic manner in which it forms the foundation of her wider philosophy of the self. Chapter 1.5 analyses Winterson's memoir, particularly in its subversions of the memoir form, arguing that it is just as fictive as her novels.

Chapter 2.0 analyses Winterson's works in terms of gender, and investigates the multiple ways in which her works embody a feminist agenda. Chapter 2.5 provides a short analysis focused solely on Winterson's fitness book "Fit for the Future", and considers how it relates to her feminist agenda more widely. Chapter 3.0 analyses Winterson's works through philosophical theories of love, arguing that her works privilege love as the ultimate means to attaining self-actualisation.