本論文試圖從西方煉金術的角度，解讀瑪格麗特•柯芬蒂詩的奇想故事《炫麗新世界》，關注的重心主要在於宇宙觀與創世概念等議題。儘管就文學史上的創世論述觀之，此文本並不是首開先例之作，但其創新之處，在於以煉金意象來闡釋作者的哲學思想與創作歷程等觀念。為探討並重新評估《炫麗新世界》作品本身的複雜性、多變性與豐富性，本研究以早期現代西方煉金術作為基礎，特別是帕拉賽瑟斯（Paracelsus）以及參帝沃吉爾斯（Sendivogius）等人的煉金論述，來解讀作品當中主人翁的自然觀以及創世的情節刻劃。研究者主張，現代讀者藉由分析此文本中的煉金意象，能夠進一步了解柯芬蒂詩創造、錘鍊筆下異想世界的心法。

This paper examines Margaret Cavendish’s The Blazing World from an alchemical perspective, with special references to passages regarding the perception of the cosmos and the creation of immaterial worlds. Even though the text is not the first work addressing the Utopian theme, it is innovative in utilising alchemical allegories to present both the author’s philosophical thoughts and the process of creative writing. In order to explore the complexity, versatility and richness of The Blazing World, my reading focuses on the Empress’s discourses on nature and the narrative surrounding her creation of worlds, while at the same time draws from early modern alchemical texts, particularly the treatises by Paracelsus and Michael Sendivogius. I argue that it is necessary for modern readers to revisit the esoteric and mystical nature of alchemical imagery, in order to develop a more profound understanding of the ways in which the Duchess of Newcastle created and refined her various imaginative worlds.