This thesis provides a close reading of Stephen King’s The Dead Zone (1979) and 11/22/63 (2011) and suggests that both novels can be regarded as historical novels. This thesis presents an overview...Show moreThis thesis provides a close reading of Stephen King’s The Dead Zone (1979) and 11/22/63 (2011) and suggests that both novels can be regarded as historical novels. This thesis presents an overview of the key historical events and figures of the respective time periods in which the novels are set. The Dead Zone is set during the 1970s and 11/22/63 is set during the late 1950s and early 1960s. Both time periode are represented negatively. The Dead Zone explores the feeling of distrust that the American citizens experienced after Richard Nixon’s Watergate Scandal and the Vietnam War. 11/22/63 shows the flipside to JFK’s hopeful image and the optimistic 1960s. Ultimately, I will show that despite the negative representation of America in the 1960s and 1970s, there is hope for the characters in these novels which enables them to survive and to find peace. The Dead Zone and 11/22/63 contain a hopeful message which is represented through education and love. This hopeful message does not only represent hope for the characters of the novel, but also for the readers of these historical novels, who can find guidance in working through historical events such as the Vietnam War, 11/22/63 and the Watergate Scandal.Show less
Research master thesis | Literary Studies (research) (MA)
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This thesis focuses on haunting house tales - fictions which depict an active and malevolent house - through the lens of postmodernism. Using the theories of Brian McHale and Linda Hutcheon, the...Show moreThis thesis focuses on haunting house tales - fictions which depict an active and malevolent house - through the lens of postmodernism. Using the theories of Brian McHale and Linda Hutcheon, the thesis analyzes three American haunting house novels: Jackson's "The Haunting of Hill House," King's "The Shining," and Danielewski's "House of Leaves." Especially the notions of history, knowledge, and science are of relevance in this context. As is claimed, the haunting house does away with the idea that knowledge about the house and its past is empowering, since the supernatural events are not caused by a gruesome crime of the past.Show less
This thesis is a genre criticism. In it I will argue that Stephen King's epic, The Stand, can be seen as a contemporary (written) version of the medieval morality play. In the thesis I will compare...Show moreThis thesis is a genre criticism. In it I will argue that Stephen King's epic, The Stand, can be seen as a contemporary (written) version of the medieval morality play. In the thesis I will compare The Stand with other works of the morality play genre, such as Everyman and Mundus et Infans. Both The Stand share generic cues (discussed by John Frow) such as structure, theme and the allegorical aspects.Show less
