Work

The Assertion of Identity: Storytelling and Testimony in the Works of Edwidge Danticat

Year: 2012
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Haitian-American author Edwidge Danticat evokes the Haitian tradition of storytelling in many of her novels and short story collections. A tradition formulated by vodou religion and the amalgamation of African cultures, storytelling acts to entertain, educate and enlighten the people of Haiti. Additionally, her novels are often written in the context of traumatic events in Haitian history. While Danticat's works have been studied with focus on their depiction of storytelling and of trauma, little has been done on the restorative power that storytelling provides. In this thesis, I seek to examine the potential for Danticat's characters and works to create narratives that build community, present testimony, and aid traumatized individuals in recovery.
Institution: Bucknell University
Language: English
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W60681836
Cites: 13
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