Master thesis | Educatie in de Taal en cultuurwetenschappen: Engels (120 EC) (MA)
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This paper examines representations of trauma in Young Adult literature, mainly the so-called “problem novel”. These types of novels are becoming increasingly popular among youngsters. Though...Show moreThis paper examines representations of trauma in Young Adult literature, mainly the so-called “problem novel”. These types of novels are becoming increasingly popular among youngsters. Though teenagers enjoy them, parents frequently express their concerns about the age-appropriateness of the content and subject matter. By analysing the novels The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher, and A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, this study illustrates that these novels try to resemble trauma by means of stylistic features. These features include absence, repetition, indirection, and belatedness. The authors not only chose to incorporate these into their narratives, but also in their choice of lay-out, which allows for an increased immersion and engagement of the reader with the text.Show less