Blurring Boundaries Posthuman Conditions in the Science Fiction of Kazuo Ishiguro and Jeanette Winterson

Abstract

The present study examines the science fiction works of Kazuo Ishiguro and Jeanette newlineWinterson, focusing on the portrayal of posthuman conditions. The selected texts for this newlineresearch are Never Let Me Go (2005) and Klara and the Sun (2021), both written by Kazuo newlineIshiguro, as well as The Stone Gods (2007) and Frankissstein: A Love Story (2019), written newlineby Jeanette Winterson. Despite some existing research, there is a significant gap in the newlineexploration of posthuman themes in four selected works. A notable absence in the literature newlineis the representation of nonhuman voices, which alters the literary landscape as both authors newlineincorporate elements beyond the human experience. Their narratives depict an entangled newlineexistence between humans and nonhumans, highlighting the co-evolution of these entities. newlineThe novels illustrate how nonhuman beings provide care, companionship, and service, newlinemaking the exploration of life and existence central themes. The convergence of humans newlineand machines reshapes perspectives on life through themes such as human enhancement, newlinetranshumanism, and techno-transcendence. Additionally, the texts address concepts of newlineposthuman immortality and virtual existence, reflecting the ancient pursuit of immortality newlinealongside technological advancements, an area that has not been thoroughly examined in newlinepast research. The objectives that this study tries to achieve are the following: to critically newlineanalyse the depiction of posthuman conditions in the science fiction of Kazuo Ishiguro and newlineJeanette Winterson through detailed textual analysis; to explore the shift from human to newlineposthuman evolution, examining how technological and cultural changes reshape human newlineidentity; to investigate how the interaction between humans, cyborgs, cloned humans and newlinenonhuman machines contribute to new identity formations in a posthuman society; to study newlinethe techno-cultural context leading to the emergence of a posthuman world and its newlineimplications for future societal structures.