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M.A.L.S. Thesis - Laura Miller.pdf (336.79 KB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

A Grand Tragedy: The Progression and Regression of Gender Roles in Edna O'Brien's The Country Girls Trilogy and House of Splendid Isolation

Miller, Laura Gail
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=odu1386704511

Abstract Details

2013, M.A. (Master of Arts in Liberal Studies), Ohio Dominican University, Liberal Studies.
This study focuses on the literary works of Irish author Edna O'Brien. The Country Girls Trilogy, as well as her novel House of Splendid Isolation, written later in 1994, are considered to be O'Brien's most seminal works, garnering quite a bit of academic attention. Regardless of positive or negative reaction to her work, most scholars agree that at some point in her prolific writing career, O'Brien's work underwent a shift, dividing her work into a less progressive earlier period and a more radical modern period. A significant body of criticism identifies The Country Girls trilogy and House of Splendid Isolation at opposite ends of this shift; the former is classified as progressive to be sure, but the latter is often seen as more modern and layered in the way it handles gender roles. However, this viewpoint overlooks two crucial elements: the passage of time as well as an analysis of the female characters in comparison to the Irish female archetypes that O'Brien identifies in her essay and her work, Mother Ireland. Ultimately, The Country Girls Trilogy is a more effective venue for addressing O'Brien's preferred topics of gender and sexuality, in that the format and time over which she wrote the novels allows for an evolution - an impressive shift - of her topics and theme.
Martin Brick, Ph.D. (Advisor)
Ann C. Hall, Ph.D. (Other)
61 p.
Gender; Gender Studies; History; Language Arts; Literature
Irish literature; Edna O Brien; gender studies; iconography; national identity; authorial intent; The Country Girls Trilogy; House of Splendid Isolation; Mother Ireland

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Miller, L. G. (2013). A Grand Tragedy: The Progression and Regression of Gender Roles in Edna O'Brien's The Country Girls Trilogy and House of Splendid Isolation [Master's thesis, Ohio Dominican University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=odu1386704511

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Miller, Laura. A Grand Tragedy: The Progression and Regression of Gender Roles in Edna O'Brien's The Country Girls Trilogy and House of Splendid Isolation . 2013. Ohio Dominican University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=odu1386704511.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Miller, Laura. "A Grand Tragedy: The Progression and Regression of Gender Roles in Edna O'Brien's The Country Girls Trilogy and House of Splendid Isolation ." Master's thesis, Ohio Dominican University, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=odu1386704511

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

odu1386704511
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© 2013, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Ohio Dominican University and OhioLINK.