Date of Award

6-15-2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Organizational Unit

College of Arts Humanities and Social Sciences, English and Literary Arts

First Advisor

Adam Rovner

Second Advisor

Tayana Hardin

Third Advisor

Doug Hesse

Fourth Advisor

Thomas Nail

Keywords

Narrative theory, Narratology, Feminist narratology, Women writers, Gender, Contemporary literature

Abstract

This dissertation examines the intersection of feminist narratology and narrative theory, arguing that narrative structures considered experimental, nontraditional, or unnatural within narratology are instead necessary attempts to articulate the nuanced experiences of diverse subjectivities. Building on Susan Lanser’s foundational work, “Toward a Feminist Narratology,” which critiques classical narratology’s inability to fully account for women’s narratives, this research explores how contemporary women writers use nontraditional narrative techniques to challenge and expand the boundaries of narrative theory.

The research combines a narratological analysis with feminist critical frameworks to study the narrative techniques employed in selected contemporary women’s writings. Focusing on second-person narration in Lorrie Moore’s Self-Help, hybrid text-image narratives in Erika Lopez’s Flaming Iguanas, fragmented narrative structures in works by Laila Lalami and Jhumpa Lahiri, and the representation of narrative consciousness in Ottessa Moshfegh’s My Year of Rest and Relaxation, the dissertation demonstrates how these techniques not only disrupt traditional narrative forms but also articulate the complex realities of women’s experiences.

The dissertation concludes that narrative theory must evolve to accommodate the diversity of subjective experiences and the reciprocal relationship between subjectivity, identity, and narrative structures. By embracing a more inclusive narratological framework, narrative theory can better analyze and represent the multiplicity of human experiences, particularly those of marginalized voices. This study advocates for a reassessment of current approaches within narrative theory, proposing a shift towards a more dynamic and ideologically aware narrative analysis that recognizes and integrates the contributions of women’s narratives to the field. This approach not only enriches narrative theory but also ensures its relevance in a culturally diverse and politically conscious literary landscape.

Copyright Date

6-2024

Copyright Statement / License for Reuse

All Rights Reserved
All Rights Reserved.

Publication Statement

Copyright is held by the author. This work may only be accessed by members of the University of Denver community. The work is provided by permission of the author for individual research purposes only and may not be further copied or distributed. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.

Rights Holder

Jenny Albright

Provenance

Received from author

File Format

application/pdf

Language

English (eng)

Extent

175 pgs

File Size

2.4 MB

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