The Blazing World
In 1666, Margaret Cavendish wrote The Blazing World as a philosophical treatise and a response to scientific ideas of her day. She had no idea she was pioneering a new genre called science fiction.
Imaginary Worlds · Eric Molinsky | Daylight Media
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Show Notes
Margaret Cavendish was a pioneer of modern science fiction – except she didn’t intend to write science fiction. In the 17th century, Cavendish was a noblewoman who wanted to be taken seriously as a philosopher. In her poetry and her landmark work, The Blazing World, she imagined parallel universes, microscopic cities, human animal hybrids, zombie armies and flying vehicles. I talk with professors Emily Thomas (Durham University), Lisa Walters (University of Queensland), Lisa Sarasohn (Oregon State University), and Lara Dodds (Mississippi State University) about why Cavendish wrote for future generations that she hoped would understand and appreciate her ideas. Featuring readings by Tanya Rich.
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