Negative Empathy: A Case Study of Toni Morrison's "Beloved" and Emerald Fennell's "Promising Young Woman"

Abstract

This dissertation aims to analyse two fictional works, namely a novel and a movie, through the lens of negative empathy. The first chapter will illustrate the different aspects that constitute the phenomenon of negative empathy, starting with the historical evolution of empathy from the 18th century to the modern era. Then, empathy will be examined within the contexts of literature and cinema. For each field, the different devices and techniques used to elicit empathic engagement will be dealt with, including those instances that call for negative empathy. The second chapter will be focused on the first case study namely, Toni Morrison’s "Beloved" (1987). First, a parallel between Medea and Sethe will be drawn in order to lay down the basis for the novel’s analysis through negative empathy. Second, the implications surrounding negative empathy and the readers' response to Sethe and the infanticide will be addressed by taking into consideration the novel's main narrative strategies and the portrayal of Beloved’s killing under different perspectives. The third chapter will cover the second case study namely, Emerald Fennell’s "Promising Young Woman" (2020). The movie will be firstly considered within two contexts, namely: the rape-revenge genre and the Me Too Movement. Finally, the focus will shift to the relation between negative empathy and Cassie’s quest for revenge, considering also other movies that display a different approach towards female revenge.