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ohiou1212088472.pdf (1.38 MB)
ETD Abstract Container
Abstract Header
Nostalgia and World of Warcraft: Myth and Individual Resistance
Author Info
Slodov, Dustin A.
Permalink:
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1212088472
Abstract Details
Year and Degree
2008, Master of Arts (MA), Ohio University, Political Science (Arts and Sciences).
Abstract
Using post-structuralist psychonanalytic theory and ludology theory, this analysis looks at the game World of Warcraft (Warcraft). It asserts that Warcrafts relationship to its players resembles society's connection to the individual: they both give a framework of myths, of unreality, from which the individual defines him/herself. Defining oneself from a constructed reality results understanding of self and others in terms of a constructed identity. This arouses a desire for a unified sense of self, a way to connect back to the real. However, this desire can turn into pathology, where players try to ascribe meaning onto others in a possessive and degrading manner. In their attempts to reconcile their disconnectedness, anxiety and melancholy, they can choose to avoid this pathology. Games can inscribe myths on players, but players can resist this through creative use of meaning, creating identity from the self rather than as myths dictate, and avoiding power relationships created from constructed identity.
Committee
Judith Grant (Advisor)
Michelle Frasher-Rae (Committee Member)
Mia Consalvo (Committee Member)
Pages
96 p.
Subject Headings
Political Science
Keywords
world of warcraft
;
warcraft
;
myth
;
political theory
;
post structuralism
;
politics of resistance
;
resistance
;
psychoanalysis
;
ludology
;
game theory
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Citations
Slodov, D. A. (2008).
Nostalgia and World of Warcraft: Myth and Individual Resistance
[Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1212088472
APA Style (7th edition)
Slodov, Dustin.
Nostalgia and World of Warcraft: Myth and Individual Resistance.
2008. Ohio University, Master's thesis.
OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center
, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1212088472.
MLA Style (8th edition)
Slodov, Dustin. "Nostalgia and World of Warcraft: Myth and Individual Resistance." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2008. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1212088472
Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)
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Document number:
ohiou1212088472
Download Count:
1,711
Copyright Info
© 2008, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.