Heroines Across Romance Subgenres: A Discourse Study of Female Representation in Historical and Paranormal RomanceStevanović, Emilija (Avtor) Plemenitaš, Katja (Mentor) romance subgenreshistorical romanceparanormal romancefemale representationdiscourse studyThe master's thesis aims to analyze the representation of female protagonists in two romance subgenres based on the chosen novel for analysis. The analysis is based on eight selected passages from novels which represent two romance subgenres: the historical subgenre (Marrying Winterborne by Lisa Kleypas) and the paranormal subgenre (Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison). The aim of the analysis is to see how the female protagonists are constructed; how their descriptions, internal world, dialogues and agency are presented through analysing elements of three metafunctions of SFL developed by Halliday. The metafunctions provide tools for the analysis. Four research questions have been set to explore 1) how the female protagonists are characterized through descriptive language, 2) how their dialogue reflects autonomy and agency, 3) how societal expectations of femininity and gender norms influence their actions, and 4) how their self-descriptions and inner world construct their sense of identity. The results show that Helen and Pia are characterized by emotional depth and agency, though Helen's descriptions emphasize social norms while Pia's highlight independence and supernatural power. Dialogue shows both exercise autonomy, but Helen's is constrained by Victorian gender norms, while Pia's is shaped by her supernatural identity and hierarchy.E. Stevanović20262026-05-25 01:05:56Magistrsko delo/naloga98189sl