Fruits of passion and heirs of chance: challenging illegitimacy in Angela Carter s Wise children and Mary Shelley s Frankenstein or The modern Prometheus

Abstract

Literary representation of illegitimacy bring attention to a subject matter not yet solved by contemporary norms, even considering the new family models accepted in a post-modern society that disagree with the hegemonic model mother-father-children. Still, illegitimacy and bastardy are figured as a taboo, and a strong one. A sensible and controversial subject, although really a popular theme in literature. This qualitative research with bibliographic approach deals with illegitimacy by comparing and analyzing the main works Wise Children by Angela Carter and Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, dealing with their historical context, with approximations to literary theory, philosophy, anthropological and sociological texts, as well as the field of psychoanalysis. Therefore, this study problematizes and questions the limits of kinship, filial relationship and illegitimacy in literature and how it is reflected upon and is a reflection of society, taking into consideration the Western concept of family. Thus, to problematize the issue of illegitimacy is to broaden its concept, leading to a revaluation of Western family institutions that have changed from the hegemonic view of mother-father-children to a multitude of models