I don't think that either of these authors are soaking in unthinking male privilege -- I think they're both very conscious of various different kinds of privilege. I just found it interesting that in both cases, in what are in effect very different stories, both of which are actively working against fantasy racism, elements of fantasy sexism and misogyny seem to be "baked into" the fantasy setting or the epic genre. It probably stands out more in works like this.
I think the "overcoming" narrative actually contributes to that sense that sexism is "baked in" -- and of course fantasy sexism can also serve as a narrative shortcut for "this is a bad society" in a lot of constructed universes. This can be true for female authors as well as male -- I've read a lot of overcoming-sexism narratives written by female fantasy suthors. There's nothing wrong with that (although they can get a bit "not like those other girls"), but it isn't the story I always want to read.
Good point about McKillip, and in addition the Riddle-masters and the Traders seem to be male professions. Although Mathom's decision about Raederle's marriage is highlighted as abnormal and potentially unjust within the text. I might re-read the Cygnet books, which I recall having a broader range of female characters; I mentioned Riddle-Master because it's the closest to traditional quest fantasy of McKillip's work, and I think this is an issue in "traditional" fantasy. Thanks for the other recommendations -- I'll keep an eye out for them.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2019-04-04 08:34 am (UTC)I think the "overcoming" narrative actually contributes to that sense that sexism is "baked in" -- and of course fantasy sexism can also serve as a narrative shortcut for "this is a bad society" in a lot of constructed universes. This can be true for female authors as well as male -- I've read a lot of overcoming-sexism narratives written by female fantasy suthors. There's nothing wrong with that (although they can get a bit "not like those other girls"), but it isn't the story I always want to read.
Good point about McKillip, and in addition the Riddle-masters and the Traders seem to be male professions. Although Mathom's decision about Raederle's marriage is highlighted as abnormal and potentially unjust within the text. I might re-read the Cygnet books, which I recall having a broader range of female characters; I mentioned Riddle-Master because it's the closest to traditional quest fantasy of McKillip's work, and I think this is an issue in "traditional" fantasy. Thanks for the other recommendations -- I'll keep an eye out for them.