The Blazing World

In what ways could this text be understood as feminist? How does the prominence of female characters and the minimal role of male characters support this reading?

Consider the politics the Blazing World. How are Cavendish’s utopian ideas traditional? How are they radical? How do its power systems compare to those of Cavendish’s England?

How does Cavendish use the three different genres she references in her author’s note (romance, philosophical treatise, and fantasy)? What purpose does each genre serve?

How do the text’s science fiction elements reveal Cavendish’s academic and artistic goals? Why does Cavendish combine science and fantasy?

Research other utopian fiction (for example, Plato’s The Republic (300 BC), Christine de Pizan’s The Book of the City of Ladies (1404), or Thomas More’s Utopia (1516) or Sir Francis’s Bacon’s New Atlantis (1627)). How does Cavendish’s utopia compare to others within this genre?

What are the differences between Cavendish the writer, Cavendish the narrator, and Cavendish the character? Why does Cavendish insert herself into her text?

Compare and contrast the Empress and The Duchess. How do their similarities and differences allow Cavendish to debate issues and themes?

How does Cavendish use the fictional invasion of the Duchess’s country to make a point about contemporary politics? What actions and solutions does she advocate?