Scots, Sassenachs, and Spankings: Feminism and Gender Roles in Outlander

by Valerie Estelle Frankel

Gushing fans of Outlander name it the feminist Game of Thrones. Is it? More action-packed than a romance, this historical time travel narrative soon transforms into a war saga. Claire delights as the fierce, prickly World War II nurse who falls for Jamie, the sensitive Highlands outlaw. He offers more than a fling or even a timeless love, as he guides the heroine to a deeper level of spirituality. Of course, Diana Gabaldon explores much about modern gender construction. Her heroines shoot pirates while the Highlanders blend courtly gallantry with bloodthirsty battles. How the books and show address nudity, violence, gender roles, and the elusive female gaze reveals much about the characters as well as ourselves.

Genres: Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published May 11, 2015

About the author

Valerie Estelle Frankel is the author of 88 books on pop culture, including Doctor Who - The What, Where, and How; The Villain's Journey, History, Pop Culture, and Hidden Meanings in Hamilton; and How Game of Thrones Will End. Many of her books focus on women’s roles in fiction, from her heroine’s journey guides From Girl to Goddess and Superheroines and the Epic Journey to books like Star Wars Meets the Eras of Feminism and Fourth Wave Feminism in Science Fiction and Fantasy. She's editing a series on Jewish Science Fiction for Rowman & Littlefield. Once a lecturer at San Jose State University, she now teaches at Mission College and is a frequent speaker at conferences. Come explore her research at www.vefrankel.com.

Reviews

[Kiwi Carlisle]

Here is another well-done scholarly examination of pop culture from the hand of Valerie Frankel, who has been writing such books for years. It's not too abstruse for lay readers, but provides plenty of academic clout, including plentiful references to other works that I would certainly have made more use of had I not been listening to the audio version. It held my interest nicely, as I have read all of Gabaldon's novels and seen the first season of the Starz series. The reader is good, though I found some of her pronunciations disconcerting. It took some research on my part to find that I have been hearing those words in the Irish Gaelic pronunciation in my mind rather than the Scots one.

[Samantha Dooley]

Interesting read

Interesting to see someone align the books and show in a thought provoking manner. Glad I read it but not necessary for enjoyment of either medium.

[Ellen Joyce]

This is very surface level analysis. Mostly just citing examples of gender archetypes, sexism, and empowerment without delving into it. Also just a very third, maybe even second wave feminist take on things.

[Rich]

Just not a book for me. Might be someone else's cup of tea.

[Arabella C]

Decent analysis. Horrible editing ( so many typos....I guess this is self published???)

[J.T.K. Gibbs]

Very confusing, but then again, I haven't read more than one book, so most of the characters are unknown to me.

Still, this reminds me of the literary criticism we were taught at university, which always spoiled the experience of the literature from the off. I think I will have to read/listen to the novels in order and draw my own conclusions.