Men Are Stronger; Women Endure: A Critical Analysis of the Throne of Glass and The Mortal Instruments YA Fantasy Series

Abstract

This study analyzes two popular YA fantasy series: Cassandra Clare's The Mortal Instruments and Sarah J. Maas' Throne of Glass. We evaluate both series for explore tropes and themes common to YA fantasty. Research shows that popular series have importat effect on identity formation of readers, for good or ill. We conclude that, despite often being written by women and about girls, the narratives found in YA often perpetuate internalized sexism, play into racist tropes, reduce heroines to love interests, romanticize unhealthy relationships, use rape as a plot device, and abuse characters' reproductive abilities.