ABSTRACT This paper explores literary and psychological frameworks that contribute to conceptualizations of human embodiment—particularly the physical body and identity—in relation to disability. Novel analyses of Octavia Butler’s “Speech Sounds” and Margaret Atwood’s Oryx and Crake from a disability perspective attempt to bridge the gaps in dystopian and psychological literature in order to emphasize the need for reimagining disability as a construct, and thus advocate for further interdisciplinary research that challenges traditional notions of bodily perfection. The paper provides an introduction into disability, dystopia, and Butler’s and Atwood’s texts to establish the historicity of disability theory. It also highlights the psychological effects of pathologizing disability, and the dangers behind the connection between scientific advancement, standards of expected bodily behavior, and exploitation. By discussing the value of interaction between varying levels of ability, the paper argues against ableist views of independence and promotes a reformed understanding of human interdependence. Overall, the paper advocates for rejecting the pathologization of disability, embracing diverse forms of embodiment, and ensuring protections for individuals who experience disablism.
Peterman et al. (Fri,) studied this question.