Heterotopias and Negotiating Uncanny Traumas in Women Characters

This book analyzes how an inter-relationship is construed and applies spatial theory to interrogate the impact of spaces on fictional female characters. This investigation focuses on how Vidler’s uncanny spaces can be identified as reflective of the traumatic state of women, and how, conversely, experiencing Foucault’s heterotopic space permits fictional women trauma sufferers to receive some amelioration of their traumatic suffering. Sites which are characterized by fear, terror, violence or dread are considered to be uncanny and reflective of the enacted trauma of women characters. Subsequently, heterotopias (publicly accessible sites) offer relief from the uncanny and some working through of trauma. Ayres argues that the opposing spatial sites of domestic homes or homelands and public sites can be considered to be inter-related.