Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA
Date of Award
12-2009
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Literature
First Advisor
Dr. Linda M. Belau
Second Advisor
Dr. Ed Cameron
Third Advisor
Dr. Rebecca Mitchell
Abstract
Author V.C. Andrews became known in 1979 with her first novel Flowers in the Attic and continued the series with Petals on the Wind, If There be Thorns, and Seeds of Yesterday. Problematic themes such as sudden accidents, romantic rape, incest, and mother daughter rivalry emerge continuously in each novel. In her interview with Douglas E. Winter, Andrews explains that since her debilitating fall down the stairs at the age of fifteen she lived with and depended on her mother. Unable to fulfill the goals of her childhood, Andrews read fairy tales, and romance novels and wrote her fantasies in the Dollanganger Series. The troublesome characteristics of sudden death, taboo sex, and gender roles reveal a stunted emotional development in the author. This thesis examines the possibility that the series's disturbing, repeated themes are inspired by Andrews's debilitating fall down the stairs when she was fifteen.
Granting Institution
University of Texas-Pan American
Comments
Copyright 2009 Angela H. Rice. All Rights Reserved.
https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/attic-wheelchair-v-c-andrews-s-accident/docview/305182905/se-2?accountid=7119