Communication in the world of fantasy: A case of Inez Haynes Gillmore’s Angel Island

Abstract

One of the greatest classics of feminist fantasy science fiction, Angel Island by Inez Haynes Gillmore, tells the tragic story of what happens when a group of five shipwrecked sailors encounter on an Island five winged-women who have left their own race of winged-people. The men and women on this uncharted island are mutually attracted to each other. The bird-like language of the winged-women is as mysterious and fascinating as their graceful beauty. Enchantment turns to lust and the men possess these angel-like creatures in a rather horrific and uncouth manner. The men must come to terms with the language and culture of this extraordinary race of female creatures. The relationship that develops between the men and women in Angel Island work out as one would imagine they would in most feminist novels in the early part of the twentieth century. The relationship is characterized by romance, male dominance, gender inequality, revolts, rebellions and conflicts. The current study focuses on the communicative segment of this fantastic relationship