Date of Award
2008
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Program
Comparative Literature
Supervisor
Dr. Vladimir Tumanov
Second Advisor
Dr. Anthony Purdy
Third Advisor
Dr. David Darby
Abstract
This thesis explores the narration of the spiritual awakening in the Literature of Addiction from a sociological, critical and literary perspective. The term “spiritual awakening” has many synonyms, but here refers to an alteration in behavior which allows for remission of addictive behavior. The history of the Literature of Addiction in the United States and in Russia reveals changing attitudes towards those afflicted. Certain characteristics of addictive behavior are recurring in narrative representation. American modernist writers viewed addiction bleakly, but after the inception of Alcoholics Anonymous, the general public became interested in narratives of recovery. Contemporary addiction memoirs reflect the hegemony of Alcoholics Anonymous, and are informed by its epistemology and narrative structures, which grew out of older religious models. The Literature of Addiction is currently evolving against the dogma of Alcoholics Anonymous, and must seek a more liberal discourse for communicating the spiritual awakening which relieves addictive behavior.
Recommended Citation
Natiuk, Jessica M., ""THE GOD IDEA” AND THE LITERATURE OF ADDICTION NARRATING THE SPIRITUAL AWAKENING" (2008). Digitized Theses. 4262.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/digitizedtheses/4262