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Between The Wars: An Activist Novel

Martin-Carey, Alexandra (2016) Between The Wars: An Activist Novel. Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) thesis, University of Kent,. (doi:10.22024/UniKent/01.02.57153) (Access to this publication is currently restricted. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:57153)

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Language: English

Restricted to Repository staff only until 5 August 2024.

[thumbnail of 1A Martin-Carey Thesis Final.pdf]
Official URL:
https://doi.org/10.22024/UniKent/01.02.57153

Abstract

The first part of this thesis, Between The Wars, is a novel based on the life and work of pacifist and social reformer Muriel Lester. It is an interrogation of the beliefs that inspired her, the christian pacifist movement she was a part of, and the challenge of living out the values of peace through two world wars. The novel is also an exploration of the relationship between activism and fiction, and the possibility of representing Lester's ideas in fictional form. The second part of the thesis discusses the process of writing an activist novel that seeks change and yet allows, indeed encourages, the reader to question its beliefs. Idealistic, complex, unflinching, and yet ultimately likeable, Muriel Lester is a challenge to the familiar narratives of 20th century history. Yet the closer to her activism the novel gets, the less certain it becomes, the more it casts itself into question.

Item Type: Thesis (Doctor of Philosophy (PhD))
Thesis advisor: Flusfeder, David
DOI/Identification number: 10.22024/UniKent/01.02.57153
Additional information: The author of this thesis has requested a temporary embargo for this work. We are sorry but until the embargo has expired, we will not be able to give you access or pass on any requests for access. 05/08/21
Uncontrolled keywords: English Literature Writing Novel Pacifism Activism Religion Muriel Lester
Subjects: P Language and Literature > PE English philology and language
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Arts and Humanities > School of English
Depositing User: Users 1 not found.
Date Deposited: 09 Sep 2016 09:00 UTC
Last Modified: 17 Aug 2022 12:21 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/57153 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Martin-Carey, Alexandra.

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