Women of Tir - Thesis Summary

Women of Tir - Thesis Summary


In Women of Tir, Lucy Bonner use the medium of interactive comic to explore a microcultural

approach to feminism, individual struggles for survival and personal relationships. Using the

tropes of science fiction, we explore the interrelated narratives of several characters as they

navigate life on a dystopic space colony in a future time. This future, in the traditions of

science fiction makes commentary upon existing societal constructs by imagining both how

we could be radically other (if given a different technological and ecological context) as well

as what we might be confined to (given our intrinsic human inclinations).


Importantly for Women of Tir and especially given the historical tendencies of both the

medium and the genre to underrepresent certain groups within society, the narrative takes

an intersectional approach by self consciously highlighting the differences in race, age, class

and sexuality amongst the points of view of the protagonists. The reader is then able to

inhabit the viewpoints of each, via an interactive choice in order to understand the

mechanics of power and oppression within the colony society.

In this way the form uses narrative and character development to make accessible systems

of thought as described by theorists such as Bell Hooks or Audre Lorde, but also with the

dual intent of aiding the aforementioned by making those voices heard. We might even

return to the Politics of Aesthetics of Jacques Ranciere to state that the giving of

representation can act to help deconstruct existing hierarchies amongst disempowered

groups within societies.


The medium of interactive comic book fits well within this critical intent given its

reproducibility as well as the animated elements to creatively extend the capacities of the

traditional printed form. The interactive choice as to the viewpoint by which the reader can

experience the narrative makes them complicit to the experience of the chosen protagonist.

This allows a sensation of affiliation not unlike an avatar whereby the fictional characters are

brought closer.


The fact that these same forms of oppression continue to surface in another time at times

paints a bleak picture for the future of our interaction and capacities for societal change.

However there is hope to be found within individual struggles of resistance and adaptability

when faced with harsh environments.