First Advisor

Bill Knight

Date of Award

6-16-2021

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in English and University Honors

Department

English

Language

English

Subjects

Child sexual abuse in literature, Alice Walker (1944- ). Color purple, Stephen Chbosky. Perks of being a wallflower, Carl Deuker. Swagger, Jodi Picoult (1966- ). Pact

DOI

10.15760/honors.1079

Abstract

With the prevalence of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) in our society today, analyzing the fiction in which these trauma cases are depicted is more relevant than ever. In this project, I discuss The Color Purple (Alice Walker), The Perks of Being a Wallflower (Stephen Chobosky), Swagger (Carl Deuker), and The Pact (Jodi Picoult). I delve into the ways they depict CSA, the cycles of violence involved, and how those cycles of violence are broken and justice is achieved for the literary characters. I argue that this justice is accomplished after each author creates a shift in perspective and in environment for their characters that catalyzes the events that lead to the healing or resolution of their trauma.

Rights

In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

Persistent Identifier

https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/35704

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