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submission, transcendence, and autonomy: female danmei fandom in the post-2020s China

Yu, Yixin (2024) COSM40 20241
Centre for East and South-East Asian Studies, Lund University
Abstract
This thesis explores the profound impact of danmei consumption on Chinese women born between the 1990s and 2000s based on the employment of Simon de Beauvoir’s feminist existentialism theory. It highlights how danmei narratives — often perceived as misogynistic - challenged traditional gender norms and empowered female readers according to the perspectives of female fans. By examining these fans’ perceptions of the portrayal of female characters in danmei fiction, the study reveals how these narratives offered a vision of autonomy and self-determination for readers, allowing them to transcend societal expectations and embrace their agency. Moreover, it uncovers how danmei provided a platform for female fans to conceive a world free from... (More)
This thesis explores the profound impact of danmei consumption on Chinese women born between the 1990s and 2000s based on the employment of Simon de Beauvoir’s feminist existentialism theory. It highlights how danmei narratives — often perceived as misogynistic - challenged traditional gender norms and empowered female readers according to the perspectives of female fans. By examining these fans’ perceptions of the portrayal of female characters in danmei fiction, the study reveals how these narratives offered a vision of autonomy and self-determination for readers, allowing them to transcend societal expectations and embrace their agency. Moreover, it uncovers how danmei provided a platform for female fans to conceive a world free from societal constraints, prompting reflection on identity, ambition, and self-discovery. While acknowledging the inevitable submission and possible misogyny of female fans under the dual pressures of traditional gender expectations and modern societal demands, the research argues that danmei has served as not only entertainment providing women with an escape from the unpleasant reality but also a catalyst for social change, empowering young Chinese female fans to envision a future where they are free to shape their own lives. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Yu, Yixin
supervisor
organization
course
COSM40 20241
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Danmei, Female fandom, Gender norm, Counterculture, Feminism
language
English
id
9164646
date added to LUP
2024-06-17 13:49:54
date last changed
2024-06-17 13:49:54
@misc{9164646,
  abstract     = {{This thesis explores the profound impact of danmei consumption on Chinese women born between the 1990s and 2000s based on the employment of Simon de Beauvoir’s feminist existentialism theory. It highlights how danmei narratives — often perceived as misogynistic - challenged traditional gender norms and empowered female readers according to the perspectives of female fans. By examining these fans’ perceptions of the portrayal of female characters in danmei fiction, the study reveals how these narratives offered a vision of autonomy and self-determination for readers, allowing them to transcend societal expectations and embrace their agency. Moreover, it uncovers how danmei provided a platform for female fans to conceive a world free from societal constraints, prompting reflection on identity, ambition, and self-discovery. While acknowledging the inevitable submission and possible misogyny of female fans under the dual pressures of traditional gender expectations and modern societal demands, the research argues that danmei has served as not only entertainment providing women with an escape from the unpleasant reality but also a catalyst for social change, empowering young Chinese female fans to envision a future where they are free to shape their own lives.}},
  author       = {{Yu, Yixin}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{submission, transcendence, and autonomy: female danmei fandom in the post-2020s China}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}