A Rogga by Any Other Name: Subverting and Upholding Traditional Racial Narratives Through the Afrofuturist Landscape of N. K. Jemisin’s Broken Earth Trilogy

Abstract

This thesis explores how N.K. Jemisin’s Broken Earth trilogy both reinforces and subverts common narratives of race, using speculative fiction and the consequent subgenre of ‘Afrofuturism’ as a lens to critically examine how real-world racial dynamics are explored in a fantasy environment. Through close readings of Jemisin's work, I analyze the complex interplay of race, identity, and power in her narratives, paying special attention to how her use of the fantasy genre and Afrofuturism subgenre parallels real-world social issues. By examining the ways Jemisin's trilogy challenges established norms and engages with the struggles of marginalized communities, this thesis evaluates the transformative potential of her writing within the broader literary landscape.