First Advisor

Elisabeth Ceppi

Date of Award

5-24-2018

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

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

Department

English

Subjects

Overweight persons, Characters and characteristics in literature, Stigma (Social psychology), Body image in literature

DOI

10.15760/honors.548

Abstract

Using the framework of fat studies, I work to analyze current fiction novels featuring fat female main characters. Through this analysis, I highlight the ways in which our current literature surrounding fat bodies utilizes highly stigmatized, fat phobic language and ideas to develop these characters. This results in the continued development of anti-fat/anti-fatness ideas rather than affirming fat bodies and identities. I offer potential means of moving forward into a more fat accepting society that develops complex fat characters in literature (and other forms of arts/media) who are not simplified to common tropes and stigmatized language surrounding fat and the fat body.

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

http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/25247

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