Food and the Female Body: Paralleling the Food Market and the Prostitution Market in John Cleland's Fanny Hill Open Access

Abstract

This thesis examines the theme of consumption as the driving force behind the power structure present in John Cleland's Fanny Hill. The market emerges as the primary site in which to engage this theme. The analysis begins in the Covent Garden food market with Mr. Norbert as this scene serves to most directly parallel the food market with the prostitution market.

The first chapter explores consumption in its two major forms: gastronomic and commercial. The text highlights gastronomic consumption and how it operates to pit the woman as a consumable object. To accomplish this, Cleland uses the direct presence of food, the descriptive food language, the strategic placement of meals in relation to sex scenes, and the duality of the table and the mouth. These four uses of food emerge during Fanny's interactions with her sexual partners, marking the power dynamic of the consumer-consumed relationship. Following the discussion of gastronomic consumption is the commercial consumption in the prostitution market. Tracking Fanny's introduction, initiation, and sale within the prostitution market portrays her as consumable goods; ultimately, this demonstrates how her female marketers just as readily consume her as her male clients.

The second chapter examines how Cleland uses the concept of reverse consumption, the process by which the consumer becomes the consumed, to reverse the previously established power structure. Beginning with gastronomic consumption, the text looks at Cleland's focus on the mouth and his depiction of the vagina as a metaphorical, sexual mouth. By the physical positioning of the prostitutes' bodies and their use of sex for their own pleasure, Fanny and Louisa use reverse gastronomic consumption to assert power over Will and the flower boy. The next section explores how these two women pay the boys after sex, an action that denotes a reverse commercial consumption whereby the prostitutes prostitute the men.

Through highlighting the various forms of consumption and the concept of reverse consumption, the text closely tracks Fanny's development as a character, the question of whether or not Fanny Hill serves as an example of female empowerment, and, more broadly, the greater significance of studying food in literature.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents Preliminary Pages

Distribution Agreement

Approval Sheet

Abstract Cover Page

Abstract

Cover Page

Table of Contents

Introduction

Argument

Chapter 1: Consumption in the Food and Prostitution Markets in Fanny Hill

Introduction

Section 1: Gastronomic Consumption: The Female Body as a Consumable Object

Direct Presence of Food

Use of Descriptive Food Language

The Strategic Placement of Meals in Relation to Sex Scenes

The Dual Functionality of the Bed and the Table

Conclusion

Section 2: Commercial Consumption: The Body as Consumable Goods

Introduction Into the Prostitution Market

Initiation into the Prostitution Market

Preparation for the Market and its Customers

The Transactions Begin

Prostitution as a Business

Conclusion

Alternate Metaphors

Chapter 2: Reverse Consumption and the Reversal of Power Within the Markets of Fanny Hill

Introduction

Section 1: Reverse Gastronomic Consumption and the Female Mouth

The Mouth

Vagina as Mouth

Power Through Reverse Consumption

Power Through Pleasure

The Mouth and Power

Reverse Consumption and Power

Conclusion

Section 2: Reverse Commercial Consumption and the Female Transactor

Introduction

Reverse Commercial Consumption

Conclusion Food for Thought

Disparate Views

Literary Implications

Philosophical Implications

Societal Implications

Conclusion

Works Cited

About this Master's Thesis

Rights statement

• Permission granted by the author to include this thesis or dissertation in this repository. All rights reserved by the author. Please contact the author for information regarding the reproduction and use of this thesis or dissertation.

School	Laney Graduate School
Department	English
Degree	MA
Submission	Master's Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Literature, English
Keyword	Prostitution Market Consumption Prostitution Power Food Food Market Fanny Hill
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Kelleher, Paul, Emory University
Committee Members	Loichot, Valerie, Emory University Otis, Laura, Emory University

Last modified

Primary PDF

Thumbnail	Title	Date Uploaded	Actions
	Food and the Female Body: Paralleling the Food Market and the Prostitution Market in John Cleland's Fanny Hill ()	2018-08-28 14:55:08 -0400	Press to Select an action Download

Supplemental Files

Thumbnail	Title	Date Uploaded	Actions