Dissecting Dragons

Fiction featuring the 'afflicted woman' trope is not a new subgenre but it's enjoying somewhat of a renaissance lately. The 'sad girl' of literary fiction has recently spent a lot more time hanging out in genre fiction which give the dragons the opportunity to dissect the trope. So what is it about the 'afflicted or messy woman' that's so appealing? Is it entirely about catharsis or is there a more sinister element? How has she been depicted in other forms of art? Find out in this week's episode. On the slab - Fleabag, Penny Dreadful, Woman Eating - Claire Kohda and many more.   Title music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic