Genre-bending / Gender-bending: On the (Feminist) Social Contract

Abstract: Social contract narratives are genre-bending origin stories that blur the distinction between political theory and fiction. This article presents Monique Wittig’s theoretical and literary work as a genre-bending/gender-bending rendition of the social contract that repurposes its narrative structure for feminist ends. Informed by Sylvia Wynter’s generative notion of genre, I show that by centering on freedom rather than oppression, Wittig’s affirmation of the genre of contract represents a compelling and emancipatory alternative to feminist and critical race critiques. In doing so, I also explore the potential of reading political theory as a creative genre, and creative genres as political theory, and the implications for feminist political theorizing.