Finding a hidden heroine in JG Ballard’s sci-fi novel, The Drowned World

JG Ballard is not known for his sensitive or nuanced portrayal of women. Yet in this paper I pose the question: If we re-examine his 1962 novel, The Drowned World, can Beatrice Dahl be re-read as a heroine? In order to answer this question I will read between the lines of this popular science fiction text to expose Beatrice’s hitherto marginalized history and liminal strength. I will carefully examine the text for clues, then, using a strategy employed by both fan-fiction and post-colonial literature, I will write an imaginary Chapter 3.5 into the existing plot framework of The Drowned World in order to reveal Beatrice’s complexity and her role in conveying one of the key messages of the novel.