Identifier
etd-08272004-080427
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
English
Document Type
Dissertation
Abstract
This study examines the therapeutic qualities of selected short stories and novels by contemporary African American woman writer, J. California Cooper. Specifically, I examine the manner in which Cooper's texts can be appreciated as "healing narratives." Healing narratives, as defined in this study, are those texts in which the author consciously creates fictitious representations of reality, while employing the concept of hope as a central and guiding factor. Those aspects of the narrative that have the ability to heal or "lay hands on" a reader vary because the effectiveness of the story depends upon how well the reader can identify with the protagonist's journey toward self-actualization. In addition to illuminating the therapeutic aspects of Cooper's fiction, I also examine her use of black oral performance and storytelling.
Date
2004
Document Availability at the Time of Submission
Release the entire work immediately for access worldwide.
Recommended Citation
Bryant, Cynthia Downing, "Storytelling from the margins: the healing narratives of J. California Cooper" (2004). LSU Doctoral Dissertations. 3657.
https://repository.lsu.edu/gradschool_dissertations/3657
Committee Chair
John W. Lowe
DOI
10.31390/gradschool_dissertations.3657