Term of Award
Fall 2024
Degree Name
Master of Arts in English (M.A.)
Document Type and Release Option
Thesis (open access)
Copyright Statement / License for Reuse
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Department
Department of English
Committee Chair
Caren Town
Committee Member 1
Jane Rago
Committee Member 2
Lisa Costello
Abstract
This thesis examines depictions of suicide in William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet (1597), Art Spiegelman’s Maus (1986), and Octavia E. Butler’s Kindred (1979) in the context of teaching literature in secondary classrooms during the developmental stage known as middle adolescence. Using an analysis of these literary works, this thesis advocates for incorporating self-regulation practices when addressing conceptually challenging and emotionally complex ideas. It proposes model lessons and emphasizes the responsibility of educators to facilitate discussions on weighty concepts. This thesis also emphasizes the need for an intersectional approach when examining trauma and suicide. Furthermore, it underscores the unique developmental and exploratory nature of adolescence, emphasizing the role of literature in preparing students for the complexities of life.
OCLC Number
1478273851
Catalog Permalink
https://galileo-georgiasouthern.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01GALI_GASOUTH/1r4bu70/alma9916599549202950
Recommended Citation
Williams, Elizabeth. Transcending the Taboo: Using Literature to Explore Depictions of Suicide with Adolescents in Secondary Classrooms. 2024. Georgia Southern University, M.A. thesis.
Research Data and Supplementary Material
No
