Annihilating love and heterosexuality without women: Romance, generic difference, and queer politics in "Supernatural" fan fiction

Authors

  • Monica Flegel Lakehead University
  • Jenny Roth Assistant Professor

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3983/twc.2010.0133

Keywords:

Gender, J2, Real person slash, Sexuality, Slash

Abstract

This essay examines the differing generic tropes and sexual politics evident in Supernatural slash and in J2 fan fic. We argue that while some stories within Supernatural fan fiction provide happy endings to the characters that are denied them in the show's canon, dark!fic instead focuses on the intensity and exclusivity of Sam and Dean's love, thus illuminating dangers at the heart of the one-true-love trope. We also argue that RPS written within the Supernatural fan community demonstrates greater adherence to conventional romance tropes and normative sexualities, and thus reveals important ideological constructs of heteronormativity.

Author Biographies

Monica Flegel, Lakehead University

I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of English at Lakehead University. My training and publishing is primarily in the fields of Victorian literature and children's studies; however, my current research project is on fanfiction and fandom communities. I also teach Cultural Studies at the university.

Jenny Roth, Assistant Professor

I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Women's Studies at Lakehead University. My research interest in law and literature is currently being applied to issues of copyright and ownership in on-line communities. I currently feminist cultural studies and counter culture.

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Published

2010-03-15

Issue

Vol. 4 (2010)

Section

Praxis

License

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