English Language and Literature Commons^™

Review: Airborn, Rachel Schwedt, Janice Delong

Ages 10-12

Caring, Cooperation, Courage, Determination, Family loyalty, Friendship, Hope, Loyalty, Resolve, Responsibility, Self-reliance, Spunk, Trustworthiness

Review: Absolutely Truly, Rachel Schwedt, Janice Delong

Ages 10-12

Acceptance, Cleverness, Cooperation, Coping, Determination, Family loyalty, Friendliness, Resolve, Respect, Self-acceptance, Unselfishness

Review: A Wrinkle In Time, Rachel Schwedt, Janice Delong

Ages 10-12

Acceptance, Caring, Compassion, Cooperation, Determination, Devotion, Empathy, Encouragement, Faith, Fear, Family love, Family loyalty, Hope, Individuality, Inspiration, Leadership, Love, Obedience, Resilience, Responsibility, Trust

Review: A Single Shard, Janice Delong, Rachel Schwedt

Ages 10-12

Boldness, Creativity, Curiosity, Dedication, Dependability, Devotion, Diligence, Discipline, Duty, Endurance, Friendship, Hope, Humility, Humor, Imagination, Initiative, Joyfulness, Kindness, Originality, Patience, Perseverance, Pride, Resolve, Resourcefulness, Respect, Responsibility, Sacrifice, Thoughtfulness, Trustworthiness, Wisdom, Work ethic

Ron's Big Mission, Rachel Schwedt, Janice Delong

Ages 3-6

Fairness, Courage, Determination, Pride, Resolve, Self-respect

Fur, Fins, And Feathers: Abraham Dee Barlett And The Invention Of The Modern Zoo, Rachel Schwedt, Janice Delong

Ages 3-6

Citizenship, Caring, Dedication, Devotion, Enthusiasm, Leadership, Unselfishness

Quinny & Hopper, Rachel Schwedt, Janice Delong

Ages 3-6

Respect, Courage, Imagination, Individuality, Joyfulness

Fire On The Mountain, Rachel Schwedt, Janice Delong

Ages 3-6

Fairness, Ambition, Cleverness, Courage, Endurance, Honesty, Humilty, Resourcefulness, Resolve, Wisdom

Anna Husbiscus, Janice Delong, Rachel Schwedt

Ages 3-6

Cooperation, Caring, Humilty, Love, Patience

The Space Between The Trees: Creative Symbolism In Fantasy, Matthew W. Fenn

Masters Theses

Symbolism points towards absolute truths, while not claiming to be the source of that truth, but rather an expression of it. Utilizing symbolism within writing is a way to convey the author’s faith. One can provide symbolic meaning, but as a Christian with a biblically interpreted outlook, these literary devices can be used as both a voice of good and a reflection of holiness.

From Comics To Courage: The Real Life Impact Of Superheroes, Dylan A. Perkins

Masters Theses

Are superheroes good for society? Do fictional stories of heroism have nuggets of applicable truth for the every day, normal citizen? Can it even be a motivation for people who follow religion? All of this and more are explored in this thesis assignment as we examine the history of Marvel and DC Comics and how superheroes have been developed during times of war and uncertainty throughout history. Much of this discourse serves as inspiration for the creative draft which is an original novel excerpt that goes into the life of Jack, a child experiment born with extraordinary abilities set against …

A Deconstruction Of The American Dream Through An Analysis Of 'The Great Gatsby', Juliet Hila Katherine Sage

Masters Theses

This thesis addresses the physiological, social, relational, and spiritual issues associated with materialism through Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. It examines wealth and prosperity, “The American Dream” through Jay Gatsby, and argues that Gatsby and Daisy’s relationship was shaped by Fitzgerald’s personal life experiences. Fitzgerald concludes that financial success and societal achievement cannot replace human connections. Through the character Jay Gatsby, Fitzgerald illustrates that obtaining “The American Dream” does not guarantee success in all areas of one’s life. This paper dives deeper into the psychological, social, and spiritual ramifications of materialistic gain. As a result, the premise of this thesis concludes …

Strange Bird, James L. Wilson

Masters Theses

Strange Bird is a deeply emotional, character-driven novel about loss, resilience, and the unexpected bonds that heal us. When Camille dies suddenly, her son Malik—an autistic boy navigating a world already challenging to him—is left in the care of those who loved her most but who struggle to fill the void she leaves behind. Margaret, Camille’s fiercely protective mother, and Marcus, Camille’s former partner, battle grief, strained loyalties, and an emerging threat from Malik’s estranged biological father, Daryl.

As Marcus fights to protect Malik's future, hidden truths unravel, testing friendships, family ties, and the meaning of true guardianship. The novel …

Science And The Humanities: Are They Two Polar Entities?, Elizabeth Mckenna Silvey

Masters Theses

Science and the humanities are often perceived as being separate entities. In academic settings, there is little to no overlap in these courses of study. One can obtain a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts degree, but there are no academic majors that allow for the study of both the humanities and the sciences. Despite the seemingly different courses of study, it is through careful examination of literature and thoroughly delving into pieces of literature in order to excavate the meaning and purpose behind the work, that one is able to see the distinct connections between the two …

The Craft Of Christie: A Dissection Of Agatha Christie’S Creation Of Character, Rachel Grace Olds

Masters Theses

Agatha Christie’s writing is widely known, but not deeply known. She is a master of the genre of mystery, and many critics and scholars have lauded her genius. However, she is not often recognized for her mastery of the craft of character. In fact, several critics have misunderstood her characters as two-dimensional beings that exist only to advance the plot. This thesis aims to examine the way Agatha Christie crafts her characters, how her methods of the craft of character work to perfectly mislead her readers, and her ultimate purpose for creating and implementing manipulative elements for the reader. In …

A Woman’S Worth: A Portrait Of Single, Unmarried Women In Fiction, Megan V. Jenkins

Masters Theses

This thesis explores the characterization of single women and the theme of singleness in fiction and explores how nineteenth-century British literature portrayed single women using the writers’ observations of societal standards and cultural shifts throughout the century. The artist statement delves into the inspiration and origins of the project, along with a personal journey to faith. The critical paper titled “A Portrait of Single Women in Nineteenth-Century British Literature” analyzes five British novels, Emma, Jane Eyre, Shirley, Middlemarch, and The Portrait of a Lady, that discuss single women or have a theme of singleness. The creative manuscript portion is the …

Evaluating The Influence Of Self-Determination In Secondary Writing Instruction On Post-Secondary Academic Success, Mary A. Peach Partridge

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study was to discover what components of secondary education writing instruction develop adequate self-determination for post-secondary academic writing success for first year university students at Central midwestern metropolitan area universities. The theory guiding this study was Ryan and Deci’s Self-Determination Theory as it connects the idea of developing adequate relatedness, competence, and autonomy with successful development of critical thinking and social cognitive skills for success beyond secondary education. The Central Research Question asked, “what methods of secondary writing instruction adequately develop self-determination for first year university students in the Central midwestern metropolitan area to enable …

“Give A Girl An Education”: Jane Austen On Women’S Academic And Intellectual Enrichment, Ellie Ward

Senior Honors Theses

This thesis explores how Jane Austen, through her novels Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, and Mansfield Park, contributed to the cultural conversations surrounding women’s education in Georgian-era England. While women’s education at the time was limited and controversial, Austen critiques the prevailing system and supports the intellectual growth of women. Moreover, this thesis analyzes the influence upon Austen's position, beginning with her own educational history and expanding to consider the effect of Enlightenment ideology, particularly the writings of Mary Wollstonecraft, Thomas Gisborne, and Hannah More, on Austen’s thinking. Ultimately, Austen challenges the restrictions placed on women’s …

Fantasy And Faith: Lewis And Tolkien On Magic In Fantastical Literature, Zion Lang

Senior Honors Theses

Despite biblical warnings against the occult, Christian authors C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien incorporated many kinds of magic into their works of fantasy. These authors had an orthodox view of the occult, but they also believed that fantasy magic differs from the esoteric: its purpose is imaginative, rather than power-seeking, and it is usually part of the imagined laws of the fantasy world. Lewis focused on the mythic side of fantasy and included more ambiguous magic. Tolkien focused on fantasy as eucatastrophic fairy tale, and his works include somewhat divine supernatural forces. Nonetheless, both authors saw fantasy …

What Are The Games For?: The Hunger Games And Reality Tv, Audrey Perez

Senior Honors Theses

In Suzanne Collins’ series, The Hunger Games, a dystopian Capitol holds an annual televised gladiator-style competition in which child participants fight to the death. These Games function as a psychological tool of propaganda that influence both viewers and participants to sustain an oppressive government. Collins prominently explored the Games’ medium as a reality television show through the way it reinforces an ideology of oppression and control through visual messaging and emotional complicity to create division between classes of people. Real world reality TV also has ideological underpinnings that can negatively influence both viewers and participants through its depiction of a …

Artificial Intelligence And The Urgency Of The Digitally Literate Instructor In Secondary Education, Evan Kyle Calderon

Masters Theses

The formative school years that comprise secondary education, defined as grades 6th through 8th, pave the way for student success in their foreseeable academic careers. More so than ever, the relationship between technology and student experience has significantly impacted students’ overall academic success. With the encroaching wave of artificial intelligence as a societally necessary tool, the days are fast approaching when AI will become commonplace in the classroom, for which educators of the aforementioned grade levels are overwhelmingly unprepared. In addressing the alarming lack of initiative from higher positions in the education hierarchy, an analysis of the reasons for this …

Earnest And Authentic Translation From Victorian England To The Wilde West, Carly E. Mcclure

Masters Theses

Oscar Wilde’s critical, theatrical, and fiction works (notably The Importance of Being Earnest and The Picture of Dorian Gray), critique Victorian societal norms through themes of authenticity, duplicity, and identity. In a period marked by strict domesticity and concealed social contradictions, Wilde’s satire dismantles rigid ideologies, exploring self-discovery and societal expectations. Through a retroactive and contemporary definition of authenticity, Wilde’s works exhibit an advocacy for art as a central pursuit rather than purely a reflection of societal norms, which is a defining value of his Authenticism. Wilde’s emphasis on Aestheticism is a key component of his authentic representation of self, …

Mundane And Magical: How Studio Ghibli Adapts Female Protagonists Toward Gendered Narrative Reconstruction, Lauren F. Frymire

Masters Theses

This paper explores the literary significance of film adaptations, specifically focusing on Studio Ghibli's adaptations of children's novels. Through examining the themes of self-discovery, transformation, and cultural representation in films like *Kiki's Delivery Service*, *Tales from Earthsea*, and *Howl's Moving Castle*, it discusses how Ghibli’s choice of young female protagonists connects with both their original audiences and broader cultural narratives. Drawing on Carl Jung’s theory of the unconscious, Linda Hutcheon's theory of adaptation, and Mariah Chiara Oltolini’s insights on mass media adaptations, the study argues that these films successfully preserve the "magic" of their source material while offering unique, culturally-infused …

The Vision Of The Inklings: Mythopoeia And Modern Christian Literature, Emmalene Sotomayor

Senior Honors Theses

The Inklings wrote with the intention to convey truth through myth. C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien and their friends developed stories to point readers to something greater—very often God. Christian creators now can look to their example while writing their own works of art. Currently, Christian fiction is in a sad state, known for mediocre romance novels that hardly portray faith in a moving or truthful manner. Believers can use the wisdom of Tolkien and Lewis to develop their own excellent works. Lewis and Tolkien’s beliefs in myth pointing to God, hope against adversity, and good resisting …

Stories Of The Re-Awakening, Joseph Cecil Broadbent

Masters Theses

The Present piece takes a look at the realms of the fantastical and vital elements that help to create a best seller. The creative piece is a brief look into a hopefully soon to be published Fantasy/Science Fiction Young Adult Teenage series. Brief insights are followed by a prologue and four book beginnings to welcome the reader into its world.

1930 Chicago, Irish American Life, And Its Adaptation Into Historical Fiction: The Ups And Downs Of Percival Dooley, A Novella, Katy Leigh Foster

Masters Theses

The thesis examines and explains literary techniques of historical fiction. Observations and studies of historical photographs and handwritten letters, along with qualitative research through studies, journals, historical fiction pieces, and Chicago info-maps, provided accuracy for the historical fiction and a clear reflection of humanity, which is significant in understanding the argument.

Ultimately, the historical fiction shows not just 1930 American society, but where it is today. The thesis argues and proves that whimsical tones are appropriate and effective despite the uneasy time and setting and the foreboding conflicts during 1930.

The story is set in Chicago in the year 1930. …

The Six Ps: A Faith Journey, Deborah Keizer

Masters Theses

The Six Ps is an epistolary memoir about a faith journey to find my twin flame and purpose. The journey began when I discovered my higher self in a guided meditation. After that incident, I received my first prophetic dream message. God also gave me the directive to write, using the Ps (plots) from Joseph of Genesis: Prophetic dreams, Pit, Potiphar’s wife, Prison, Palace – No Pharaoh, Purpose. After the first Prophetic dream I was guided to return to my homeland, and so I jumped into the Pit which I also call the Abyss – (to confront the false beliefs …

Scientific Authorial Voice: Incorporating Explicit Instruction In Undergraduate Chemistry Courses, Emma L. Becker

Masters Theses

The effective development of undergraduate chemistry students for success in professional and academic careers involves emphases on content knowledge and on writing and authorial voice. Unfortunately, most undergraduate chemistry instruction wholly neglects writing and authorial voice instruction in favor of content knowledge instruction. This results in the development of chemistry students who know the content of their field but not how to communicate that knowledge or how to enter the chemistry discourse with their own research. This integrative review identified 71 pieces of scholarly literature and synthesized these sources to reconceptualize writing instruction in undergraduate chemistry and propose explicit instruction …

“His” Gentleman’S Farm, Virginia Payne Dow

Masters Theses

Based on our farming experiences in rural Maine, this memoir relates a personal narrative of gardening and animal husbandry. The idea and passion for this gentleman’s farm project was solely my husband Mark’s, but due to his expanding work schedule, the execution of it fell largely on my shoulders. The narrative follows our exploits on the farm, beginning with that first experimental year. Nearly forty years later, Mark decided to try again. However, like our original farming venture, the gentleman’s farm that was supposed to be completely Mark’s project has become another shared adventure. The memoir comes full circle, showing …

When The Tide Comes: A Critical Examination Of The Novel-Screenplay Hybrid With Example Chapters, Morgan F. Taylor Moore

Masters Theses

This thesis presents my research on the psychological realism genre, the stream of consciousness narrative technique, the usage of second person and the present tense, the biblical reasoning behind depicting the ordinary as extraordinary, the role of the demonic in domestic violence, the incorporation of screenplay styles, the scientific reasoning and personal findings of my project’s formatting, the examination of primary sources (novels) that have inspired my project, and finally, the research on ADHD, PTSD, and C-PTSD as the results of domestic abuse. Sample chapters of my project are included.